Page 12 of Pack Giroux

Giving her another nod, I let them pull away without reminding her that I don't have any of their numbers. I don't foresee myself ever using them, even if I did get them. Turning back toward campus, I consider hanging around and checking out some of the stores since I'm already out, but my newroomieshave left me feeling exhausted. All I want to do is escape the world back to my room.

I've barely taken a few steps before I hear the door of the restaurant open, the noise of the patrons spilling out onto the street.

"Hey, Marnie," Kinkaid calls out to me, having me turning around to face him as he strides over to where I am. "Grady told me you were here today."

He's in a pair of black slacks and a white button down with the sleeves pushed up his forearms, and it looks good on him. "I got your message," I tell him with a smile.

"Good, good," he says. "I will say I was surprised you didn't order dessert, though. You were fibbing about loving thelava cake, weren't you? I knew it wasn't all that great."

My jaw drops. "Are you kidding? I had to stop myself from licking the plate at lunch. I didn't have that self-control eating the one you sent me home with."

His head falls back with his laugh, and I like the way that his Adam's apple bobs as he does. When it dies down to a grin, he brings his hand from behind his back with a small clear container. Inside sits the dessert that's almost as sinful as the chef that made it. Does that stop me from taking it? Nope.

"You're going to make me gain ten pounds before my first practice," I tell him, slowly pulling it away from him and backing up.

He grins and starts walking with me. "Practice?"

"Yeah, I play volleyball," I say, coming to a stop. "Where are you going? Aren't you working right now?"

Shrugging, he confesses, "Technically, yes, but I have faith they can hold down the fort until I get back. As long as they don't burn down the kitchen, we should be good."

I laugh softly.

"Did you meet Raine?" he asks, motioning back toward the restaurant. "He came in with Grady."

My mouth goes dry. The tall guy that walked in with himwasone of their pack mates. I barely handled being in the presence of two of them. There's no way I'd make it with three. I slowly start backing away again, "I didn't, but I have to go."

"Okay, yeah," he says, tucking his hands in his pocket. "Some other time then."

"Sure," I lie. "Thanks for my cake."

His smile doesn't change as he throws up a hand in a wave before I turn, walking away and leaving him standing there.

GRADY

It feels like it's been the longest day imaginable. All I've done all day is fill what seems like a million orders. I knew what I was getting myself into when I started my own business. Especially when it's something that sells really well as long as you've got a good platform going for it. Still, there are some days when I miss working with my hands out in the sun.

As I'm boxing up the last order and slapping the shipping label on it, a noise at the door has me swinging my head that way. Raine stands with his arms folded across his chest, leaning against the frame and looking around the room.

"You're back early," I tell him, stacking the box in the corner with the rest.

"Yeah," he says dryly. "Kinkaid said you've been sulking around the house the past few days, but wouldn't say why."

I snort. "Like he's got any room to be talking. Maybe you should ask him why he's been doing the same."

His brows draw down. "What's going on?"

Shaking my head, I rub the spot on my forehead that's been aching since the other day. I've taken medicine, slept a little extra, drank an ass-load of caffeine, tried everything, but the ache won't go away. So, I'm partially honest and tell him that's what's dragging me down.

"That's strange," he admits. "Think you might need to go to the doctor or talk to somebody?"

"Nah," I tell him. "Just had a lot going on."

He narrows his eyes. "Like what?"

"You know what?" I start. "Why don't we go have lunch and we can all talk about it?"

Standing up straight, his voice goes hard. "Please tell me the twins don't have another stalker."

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