Page 25 of Jacob

Jacob frowned.He’d never thought about things that way.He’d only ever thought about howhefelt about his job, not about how others did.

Gal wasn’t wrong.There were people in the pride who’d gone through horrible things, and Jacob was glad to know they slept easier while knowing that he was there to protect them.He still didn’t have much to do as a guard, but he was glad that what he did meant something.

“Go,” Gal ordered with a smile.“Find Tony and spend the evening with him.Talk to him.You’ll feel better, both about your relationship with your mate and about yourself.I don’t know Tony well, but he doesn’t strike me as someone who would judge you for anything, especially not for your job.”

Jacob hoped Gal was right and that he wasn’t about to make a fool of himself.

He was nervous as he headed back to his room to shower.This was stupid, wasn’t it?What if Tony was busy tonight?What if he had other plans?Maybe he’d have to work.Was Jacob really going to show up at the station to try to convince his mate to go on a date with him?Taylor would never let Jacob forget this if it went wrong.

Jacob could only hope that it wouldn’t.

He should probably call Tony, but he didn’t want his mate to say no right off the bat.It made him feel a little shady to corner Tony like that, but he was pretty sure that he wouldn’t go through with it if he had to call and ask Tony out.It would be too easy because Tony wasn’t in front of him.If he was, Jacob wouldn’t have a way out.

He didn’t think he would need a way out.He was just nervous and freaking himself out.It was easy to imagine Tony rejecting him, but what if he didn’t?What if he agreed to go on that date with Jacob, and they had fun?

That was what Jacob kept in mind as he finished dressing.He didn’t choose anything too formal because there was nowhere for him to wear that in town, but maybe next time, he could wine and dine his mate.For tonight, the diner would probably be just fine.

Jacob felt he was about to jump out of his skin.He kept tapping his fingertips on the steering wheel as he drove and didn’t stop until he parked his car in front of the station.He stared at the door.He could see someone moving inside through the windows, but he couldn’t see who it was, and he was suddenly even more nervous.

He couldn’t think about Tony saying no.He had to focus on the fact that he and Tony were mates and that Tony seemed to have accepted that.He hadn’t rejected Jacob in any way.In fact, he’d seemed interested when Jacob had been shifting back and forth.Jacob had caught his mate trying hard not to stare at him, and the memory made him smile.

No, he didn’t think that Tony would reject him.

Still, he wanted to do everything he could to ensure that his mate wouldn’t take one look at him and tell him he was busy, so instead of heading straight to the station after leaving his car, he went back to Main Street.It only took him fifteen minutes to buy flowers because the shop was empty and about to close.He didn’t know much about flowers, but he didn’t think that Tony would care that he got him tulips instead of roses.He didn’t seem like the kind of person who thought that was important.He’d probably focus more on the gesture.

As Jacob got closer to the station, he told himself not to be a coward.Nothing would happen even if Tony said he couldn’t spend time with him tonight.Maybe he’d be busy, or maybe he’d want to go home, take a shower, and relax.Whatever Tony said, it wasn’t a reflection of Jacob and the person he was.

Back at the station, he pushed open the door without giving himself time to freak out.He walked in, ignoring the wide-eyed glance Taylor gave him, and went straight for Tony’s office.Taylor called out for him, but he didn’t stop.He couldn’t.

Tony’s door was open, but Jacob knocked anyway.He peeked in, smiling when Tony looked surprised to see him.

“I knew it couldn’t be Taylor because he wouldn’t knock to save his life, but I didn’t expect you to be back already,” Tony said.“Did you find our shifter?”

Jacob stepped in.“No.I’m here for another reason.”He offered Tony the flowers.“I was wondering if you were free to come to dinner with me tonight.”

For a moment, Tony stared.Jacob was sure the man was about to say no, but when a delighted smile broke on Tony’s face, he knew that wouldn’t be the case.

Tony reached for the flowers.“I’d be delighted to go to dinner with you.Are these for me?”

“Well, they’re not for Taylor.”

Tony laughed.“Good.I love tulips.They were my mother’s favorite flowers.”

Jacob had never been so happy that the flower shop had been out of roses that night.

* * * *

TO SAY THAT TONY WASsurprised would be an understatement.He hadn’t expected Jacob to come back, but even if he had, he wouldn’t have expected Jacob to come back to take him on adate.And the flowers—even without knowing the significance of tulips for Tony, Jacob had nailed it.

Tony wouldn’t say he’d been hesitant or worried about their bond before, but now, he was sure it was there.He hadn’t believed Jacob was lying about it, but for a human, it was hard to truly believe there was something when they couldn’t feel it.Tony had to trust Jacob, and without knowing him, it wasn’t easy, but how could he not when the proof of the bond was right in front of him?

He hadn’t planned on going on a date tonight, but it wasn’t like he’d planned anything at all.He would’ve had dinner, then watched TV for a bit while he thought about the bear shifter they were looking for.This was much better.

“I’m almost done with work, so I can leave right away.Will you wait for me here?”he asked.

Jacob glanced toward the front of the station, where Taylor was no doubt doing his best to listen in.He was nosy, especially when it came to his friends.Tony was surprised he hadn’t barged into the office demanding to know what was happening, especially if he’d seen Jacob walk in with flowers.

“I’d like to follow you home and wait there if that’s okay,” Jacob offered.“I’ll stay outside if you’re more comfortable with that.I’m afraid that if I stay here, Taylor won’t shut up for one second, and I don’t feel like answering his many questions.”

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