Page 62 of Begrudgingly Yours
Jett:Don’t make me think of that show, I still haven’t forgiven them.
Rory: Sorry, my bad.
Even though I’mlaughing behind my hand like he might hear me.
Jett: I have a question
Something in my stomach immediately speeds up. That statement never gives anyone a relaxing reaction.
Rory: Oh?
Jett: Would you like to go out to dinner with my pack tomorrow?
Rory: Like a date?
Jett: Exactly like a date
I think back to earlier today when my omega preened under their attention. I crave more of that, and besides that, it’s normal for dates to happen during the courting stage. Accepting would officially give them permission to do so.
And I want to be courted, I decide. I want to be the one they give that attention to, even if the anxiety of them being alphas still sits at the back of my mind. I can’t let my mother ruin my chance at happiness.
So I have no regrets when I send the next message. Only bubbling excitement and nerves swirled.
Rory: I would love to.
THIRTY
When we reach the restaurant (literally the best place to eat hotpot), I let out an actual squeal.
“I guess we picked a good spot,” Dax comments and I’m nodding before he’s even finished speaking.
“How did you guys know?” I ask and by the look on their faces I know immediately. “Stacia.”
They give me guilty grins. “Yeah.”
I don’t even mind that they asked my best friend for my favorite restaurant, because that means I get to eathotpottonight. My ultimate comfort food.
And for any first date, it’s best to be comfortable.
We’re seated quickly and it doesn’t take long for someone to stop by to get our drink orders.
“Are we ready to get started?”
The boys still look clueless, so I take over. “Don’t worry,” I tell them. “I’ve got this.”
I order a little bit of everything. Szechuan spicy soup for the hot pot, sliced pork belly, sliced ribeye, shrimp dumplings, fried tofu, mung bean sprouts, fried taro, enoki mushrooms, fishcakes, udon noodles, a side of kimchi and white rice, sweet potato. We struggle to put all the food on our table, but the guys aren’t complaining. I figured they all eat for two alphas at least, and I am no miniscule Mindy myself since I’m tall for an omega.
“How spicy is Szechuan?” Jett asks, looking at the bowl he just made from our selections.
“Hm.” I think. “Have you ever eaten raw jalapenos?”
His eyes widen. “You’re joking, right?”
I call the waiter over and order him a side of miso soup instead.
There isn’t a lot of talking right away. We’re a bunch of busy college students, and it’s a Wednesday night. So we’re all eating peacefully, with Dax and Everett stopping between bites to praise me for picking amazing choices. Jett actually takes to the enoki mushrooms and fried tofu, to the point that I have to fight him with my chopsticks every time he goes to grab more.
“So, how did you get into social work, Everett?” I ask conversationally when I finish my first bowl.
