Page 16 of For the First Time
“You’ll have to ask them.”
I frowned but didn’t argue.
“What did you eat for breakfast?”
“Me?”
“Yes, you, darlin.Unless there’s someone else in the cab.”
The seats behind us were empty.“I had some fruit this morning while I was getting ready and then a protein shake on the drive over.”
“That enough to hold you over ‘till lunch?”
“I have a morning snack if I get hungry,” I admitted.I was all about a bunch of little meals throughout the day rather than gorging myself at once.I swore I was always in the mood to eat.
The drive was fairly quick as we entered the back portion of the gate, Oaks driving around the house before he parked by the front door.Atlas’s truck I recognized, and the third one was an old style of truck that didn’t look like it had automatic drive or power steering.That must’ve been Everett’s.The last pack member I had to meet in person.
As Oaks got out of the truck, I quickly wiped my hands on my pants, hoping my nerves would calm down so I could shake hands without them wondering why my palms were wet.That would be mortifying no matter how natural sweat was.
“What are you doing?”
I froze.Oaks’s words had me panicking, trying to figure out what I’d done wrong.Did I slam the truck door too hard?
“Next time, wait for me to get your door.”
I relaxed slightly at his words.“You want me to wait until you get out and walk around the truck just so you can open my door?”
“Yep.”
I had said it like a joke, but he’d sounded serious in his agreement.He wasn’t actually being honest, though.Right?No one waited for the alpha to get out of the car and open a door for you.That was a waste of time.I told him as much.
“I’m pretty sure you can wait less than thirty seconds for me to open your door, darlin.It won’t make you late, promise.”He grabbed my hand and pulled me up the three steps to the porch.
I had no idea how to respond to that or to the fact that he was holding my hand.
Oaks walked right in, the bright orange lights already on and brightening the space.There was something special about the way that the lights illuminated the house, not even leaking through the dark, heavy blinds that had made me think it was dark inside.Rather than typical bright white lights making the home feel sterile and cold, the yellow-orange fixtures, almost like flames, made the space comforting.This was obviously how the home was designed to be enjoyed.Not to be seen with open windows and blinds while everyone was gone at work, but to be soft and welcoming in the early mornings when everyone was home, starting their days.
“Eve is here,” Oaks yelled to the house before dragging me into the living space.
This must’ve been a house of morning people if he wasn’t worried about waking or upsetting everyone.
“Should I start on breakfast?”I asked.
“Not yet.I have the official paperwork for you to sign and fill out before you do any sort of work.”
“Right, of course.I can do that now.”The sooner I filled it out, the sooner I could start cooking.I had no idea when everyone left for work.
“Once I’ve started my workday, I’ll take a look around for that paperwork.For now, I think it’s best if you just got yourself settled in.”
“Settled?”
“Yeah.Relax.Sneak around the house, take a seat on the couch, whichever.I need to go get dressed.I bet the others will be out soon.”
Just like that, he continued down the hall, leaving me to stand around in the living room.The hallway between the bedrooms and the foyer was on one level while the couch and everything else that made up the living room was settled in a foot deep pit.I simply stood in the spot I had been abandoned, unsure of what exactly I should do.Sitting down on the couch didn’t feel like an option and working before I’d signed anything didn’t feel legal.
Objectively, it was a nice living room.The light brown couch was large, and made a dramatic “C” shape, taking up a good portion of the space.It was obvious that the couch cushions were extra wide, and despite having ten pillows in various spots, the couch wasn’t overcrowded.The small coffee table had a beautiful blue resin filling, as if the artist was recreating a river winding through the piece.Opposite the couch, connected to the front wall of the house, was the fireplace.A beautiful mantal decorated right above it with a large mirror above that.
The space was obviously well lived in.Even from where I stood, I saw the butt indents where the three pack members must constantly sit despite having this huge couch.There was a basket of blankets off to the side, all of them just shoved in rather than folded.A small bookcase against the wall offered dozens of options, and little knickknacks lined the shelves like the pack was using the entire bookcase as storage more than a decorative piece.Even the little side table with a record player had a few receipts shoved under one side and a small notebook resting on the edge.
