Page 20 of Awakened
“You know what? No. It’ll blow over. He doesn’t know who I was talking to, and it’s none of his damn business. I got to go. I’m beat.”
“Oh, uh, okay. Call me tomorrow?”
“Sure. Night, Seth.”
Without waiting for his response, I ended the call. The night had gone from flirty, drunk fun to a sad, drunk fail in less than five minutes. What the hell was wrong with me? Horn dogging it up with Seth? Jeopardizing our friendship and his friendship with Aiden? Shit. It was official. I was the worst.
After dropping my cereal bowl in the sink, I took my sad ass up to bed. I hoped the next day would be magically better.
The rest of the week was a Groundhog’s Day cliché—wake up, fill out paperwork, prep for my Monday start date, mope like a boss, repeat. The only variation came from what papers I was completing. When I had all my new employee forms filled out and submitted, I started on the pack withdrawal declaration. As soon as Aiden’s father received it, he would sever my pack bonds, and I would be rogue.
The only things I had to worry about were getting Emily to take it home after her visit the following weekend and how the hell I would explain my leaving to Brandon.
As I finished meal prepping Friday afternoon, Sarah came home from work exhausted. She laid every bit of snack food on the coffee table, opened a bottle of wine, flopped down on the couch, and started aGolden Girlsmarathon.
“I can’t believe she’s ready to give it all up—for a man,” Sarah scoffed as she grabbed the last Oreo.
I shook my head. “Happens every day.”
“Well, not to us.” I laughed, but she shushed me. “I mean it. Michael is shit out of luck if he thinks I’ll send you packing for his ass.” She gave me a sleepy smile. “I love you, Les. I’m so glad you’re here. And that’s not just the sugar and wine talking.”
I reached out, grabbed her hand, and squeezed it. “I love you too, wine or no wine.”
We stared into each other’s eyes, and a giggle bubbled up, then another, until we were in the throes of a good old-fashioned giggle fest. I’m not too proud to admit that I giggle when drunk, especially while confessing my undying love for my best friend during an episode of a retro sitcom.
We had indulged in too much food and wine and paid the price the next morning. Stuck on the couches nursing wicked hangovers, we relied on Michael, the angel that he was, to bring us breakfast burritos and sports drinks to help us recuperate. I could see why Sarah loved the guy. He kept our water glasses full and even brewed us coffee while taking out the trash and washing our mountain of dishes.
By five p.m., we were in fighting shape and decided to go out for tacos. Michael’s friend texted that he had a table in the back of the resturant. A familiar head of curly black hair appeared as we rounded the corner.
“Sunshine!” He stood up with a wide smile.
I glanced at Sarah, then back at my future coworker. “Zach! What the hell are you doing here?”
“I’m Michael’s roommate. What areyoudoing here?”
“Sarah—” I said, pointing to my smiling friend. “She’s my roommate and best friend.”
Zach pulled out the chair beside his, dramatically flourishing his arm as he presented the seat to me.
I curtsied and gingerly sat down. When I looked up at Sarah and Michael, they were watching us with confused smiles.
“Are you guys going to sit?” I asked, snapping them out of their frozen state.
Sarah slipped into the chair beside me and whispered, “How do you know Zach?”
I whispered back, “He was in my Rubin Black interview.” I lifted my brows. “The hottie.”
“I told you Michael’s roommate worked there but never thought he’d be in your department.” She choked back a laugh and leaned in. “He’s actually one of the guys I wanted you to meet. He’s a future beta of the Brooks Pack.” Then she mouthed the word rich.
I nodded. “Good taste, my friend.” The Brooks Pack wasthepack in St. Louis. Their territory may have been small, but they had the kind of wealth other packs dreamed of.
We ordered a round of margaritas and too many tacos for four people. While I chowed down, I became very aware that Zach was watching me. I looked up from my bounty of tacos, and with cheeks full of delicious duck, I gave him a chipmunk smile.
Zach and Michael told us about their new neighbors.
“The first night they moved in, there was a high-pitched whine. It went on for a couple of hours, and I was seriouslyimpressed. The next morning, I saw his girlfriend walking a little lab puppy.” Michael’s face flushed courtesy of embarrassment and the fourth marg he started.
“You thought a puppy whine was a woman coming? Sarah, what the hell do you sound like in bed?” I joked.
