Page 29 of Rejected Beta

I nod. “With them and with Jane and her moms. With Aurora and her pack. There are a lot of people here in town who seem like they'll make great friends."

"That sounds nice. I like it when your studio is busy and I can hear it in our home upstairs."

She's breaking my fucking heart. I can't handle it. This stupid damn society that is teaching our children all the wrong things. As glad and touched as I am that she wants Hendrix and Ryder around, I hate the reasons for it.

"Well, the studio has certainly been plenty busy, so I'm glad you like the sound."

The light changes and I hurry us across.

At first, I'd been concerned that the studio isn't soundproofed, but it has ended up being a good thing.

Since Lexie and I took the long way on foot, Hendrix and Ryder beat us to the restaurant and are waiting outside for us when we walk up.

They grin at Lexie as she shouts their names and breaks away from me to race towards them, her face lit up with happiness and excitement. She throws herself at them and they both have to catch her, their laughter loud as they crash together.

I've never seen anything so perfect before in my life.

Hendrix and Ryder barely spare me a glance, their full attention on her as she chatters away at them, her face so lit up with joy, it almost hurts to look at.

Refusing to let guilt sour the mood, I shove down old pain and instead focus on the now. I can worry about how this will all unfold later, for now I just want to enjoy the moment.

When I reach them, they lower Lexie back to her feet and turn their grins on me.

Hendrix leans forward and kisses my cheek daringly close to my mouth while Ryder reaches out to squeeze my hand in hello.

"Thank you for inviting us,” Ryder says.

"Mama said we have to get spinach on the pizza,” Lexie complains.

"Your mama has good taste. Spinach is delicious and has good stuff in it that'll help your body get strong for basketball." Hendrix shoots me a wink.

"It'll make me a better basketball player?"

Hendrix nods. “In a way, yes. The healthier and stronger you are, the better you'll be."

"I'm going to eat nothing but spinach." Her declaration is so serious, it’s adorable.

I open the door. “All right, Popeye, let's get inside so you can get your spinach."

"Who's Popeye?”

I groan. “Ouch. I've clearly failed as a parent."

"You definitely need to rectify that." Hendrix tweaks my side as he walks through the door I hold open for them.

The scent of cheese and fire slaps me in the face when I follow them inside.

"Have you been here before?" Ryder asks.

I shake my head. “Nope. This is our first time."

Hendrix beams. “Oh, you two will love it. They have the best pizza in town."

“Lexie has never even had wood-fired pizza before."

Ryder steps up to the host station, chatting with the beta there.

Hendrix grins down at Lexie. “So tonight is extra exciting."

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