Page 47 of Mated To My Boss

I wrack my brain, trying to think about what friend she’s referring to. There's still so much I don't know about my mate. “I'm on Downey street right now. Are you close?”

“Actually, I'm just a street away. Do you wanna meet up?”

“Yes,” I respond without hesitation. “I'll walk you home.”

“Okay, meet me in front of the Town Kick restaurant.”

“Sure thing.”

After my call, I feel much lighter. The prospect of seeing Madeline makes me feel warm inside, even though I try to hide it.

Anticipation builds the closer I get to the restaurant. All my hope of watching my surroundings for clues disappears when my eyes rest on my mate.

She doesn't spot me immediately, allowing me some time to take in her beauty. I stare at how her hair bounces off her shoulders to rest gracefully.

Her face seems brighter than every star above us in the sky. She casually turns her head and sees me.

She waves me over as I cross the street to meet her. I stop just in front of her and we stand there, looking at each other for a second.

“Hi,” she says.

“Hi,” I return. “How was your date?”

She chuckles. “Someone's jealous. It wasn't a date. I met this girl at the supply store and we sort of hit it off. It was nice hanging out with someone not from the office.”

“Yeah, I can't really relate to that.”

“You don't hang out with anyone,” Madeline says, “not even with me anymore.” There's a hint of sadness in her voice, but she masks it with a smile. Seeing her like this makes my heart break, but there's not much I can do to help.

“We're together now. I'll walk you home.”

“Wait, you were serious about that?” she chuckles. I thought you were just coming over because you wanted to make sure I was actually here.”

“Huh? No, I want to walk you home.”

“Ah, I see. You're trying to figure out where I live,” she says, playfully pushing my shoulder. “Come on, then.”

We walk silently for a block and then another one before I speak again. “What's on your mind?”

“Nothing.”

“Come on. You always have something to say. You don't anymore?”

She shrugs. “This is the first time we're spending time together when we don't have to. I'm just taking it in. I know it won't last.”

“Are you sure that's what this is about?”

Madeline turns with a frown. “Of course, what else would it be?”

“That's what I'm trying to figure out,” I admit. “You don't talk a lot about your time with the pack and I'm starting to think there's stuff you aren't telling me.”

Her frown gets even deeper. “It's not like you care. You're the one who abandoned me with them in the first place. Am I supposed to believe that you want to know more when all you've done is try to send me away?”

“So thereismore. Does this have anything to do with a certain particular smell?”

Her eyes double in size. “W—what are you talking about?”

“Madeline, you need to—” My eyes suddenly mirror hers. “Come with me.”

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