Page 21 of The Beta: Part Three
At least he's admitting to his penchant for pouting.
I sigh.
“Fine. Alright. What should I wear?”
Devon's eyebrows draw together, “I don't know. We'll be indoors. There will be dinner that requires forks,” he fights off a smile. There will never be a time that the mentioning of forks won't make someone in this pack have a reaction.
“What time should I be ready?”
“Six? That's three hours from now. Will that give you enough time?” Sweet heaven, he can’t possibly think I'm one of those women who spend hours getting ready.
“I can be ready by six.” Then I end the conversation by shoving another spoonful of cereal in my mouth and my nose into my book. Over the top of my book, I watch him look around the kitchen, then he gets up and walks back out to the garage.
I'm looking through the clothes that have magically appeared in my closet when Jasper comes in and flops on my bed. “The jumpsuit. The black one, with the leg cut-outs. And heels. Tall ones.”
“I can't do anything in heels, Jasper. Especially tall ones. But I think you're right about the jumpsuit.” The jumpsuit really is great. It's made of a soft, airy black fabric with thin straps over the shoulders and slits running down the outsides of the legs from mid-thigh to ankle, and it's backless. It's sexy as hell.
“If you wear the jumpsuit, you'll have to wear the heels. And your hair up because of the back.” He's on his side with his head propped up on his hand watching me. “And no under things. He better not try to take you somewhere ridiculous. If I find out he took you to a wrestling match or something like that I'll never let him take you anywhere again.”
So this was Jasper’s idea. I smile, but part of me hopes he will take me someplace like that. A wrestling match sounds like way more fun than the stuffy formal dinner I feel like I'm dressing for. I slip the jumpsuit off the hanger and lay it across the bed while I go back into the closet to get the red and black peep toe ones with a very functional kitten heel.
“Those will look just as hot,” Jasper smirks at me. “Did he tell you where he was taking you?”
“No,” I huff, and pull off my shirt, “did he tell you?”
He shakes his head. “Nope. Better hurry, cupcake. You've got fifteen minutes to be ready to go.”
It only takes me five because all I really have to do is step into the jumpsuit and twirl my hair up into a fluffy bun. It takes longer to do the clasps on the shoes than anything else.
Devon is waiting by the door when Jasper walks me down the stairs. He's wearing black slacks and a pale blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up a few inches above his wrists. He looks amazing, and I'm not afraid to tell him. Alex beats me to it, though.
“Well, don't you clean up nice!” he crows as he comes down the hall. Then he sees me, and he whistles, motioning for me to spin in a circle.
“You're ridiculous,” I grumble, but I spin for him anyway.
“I might be ridiculous, but you're gorgeous.” He turns to Devon, “have her home by midnight or we'll send the dogs after you. She's got brothers, you know, and I think her dad's on the council.”
“I think you're joking, but we won't be very late coming home.” Devon tends to take Alex more seriously than I ever could, and now is no different.
“Also, keep in mind, Johnson, if anything happens to her you'll have to answer to us. Not a scratch. And no tears. Understood?” Oh. Alex actually is serious.
“Understood.”
Oh for fuck sake, “I'm right here, Alex. I'll be fine, and we'll stay out as late as we want.”
“Not too late, bella.” Corso walks around Alex and sweeps me up into his arms. “And I agree. Not a scratch. Not a single tear.” He brushes my cheek with the pads of his fingers like he'd wipe away a tear.
He puts me down and I pull his cheek down so I can kiss it, then Alex, and lastly Jasper. Then Devon and I finally get to leave.
After a drive that lasts a little longer than I thought it would, we pull up to the front door of an extremely upscale restaurant. At least I'm dressed for it.
“Don't touch that door handle,” Devon looks at me like he's daring me to open the door. I shrug and keep my hands in my lap while he gets out and rounds the car to open my door for me. Then he hands the keys to the valet and holds out his elbow. So I tuck my hand into it and let him lead me into the fancy-pants restaurant.
Once we're seated at our table I whisper, “have you been here before?”
Devon nods, and whispers back, “Jasper likes this place. Why are we whispering?”
I stifle a giggle, “I don't know.”
