Page 38 of Challenged Mate
I’d dropped my phone off at a technology repair shop yesterday. Tomorrow, I should be able to pick it up and text my best friend.
It was funny; I hadn’t wanted to reach out to Stephanie until I no longer had the opportunity. Now, I knew I needed to speak with the girl who’d been by my side my entire life. She may not be able to solve my problems for me, but she could certainly lend a sympathetic ear. And that was better than nothing.
Kayla watched me, biting her lip, waiting for my reaction to the twist to the evening’s plans.
I let her sweat for another few seconds before finally saying, “Fine.”
“Fine?” She straightened. Hopeful brightness shined in her eyes.
I laughed. “Yes, fine. You’re right. I could use a night out.”
Kayla squealed excitedly. “Aw, yes! This is going to be so much fun!”
The drive to the restaurant took less than ten minutes. The longest part was finding a parking spot. Several motorbikes, cars, and four-wheelers filled the gravel lot wedged between two brick buildings. Apparently, Miko’s was the place to be on a Friday night.
Chase managed to find a parking spot along the street. I hopped out of the Land Rover and was nearly run over by a shifter on a motorbike speeding down the street. My shifter reflexes sensed the danger and had me hop back before I was clipped.
“Watch where you’re going, asshole!” Kayla yelled over the roar of the bike’s engine.
The driver turned right, disappearing from sight.
“I’m fine,” I told her.
“No thanks to that guy,” Kayla huffed. She shook her head, then walked forward and looped her arm through mine. “Come on, let’s have a night to remember.”
I let Kayla drag me along, proud of myself for not stumbling in the heels.
We crossed the street. A dark blue sign with white letters revealed we’d reached Miko’s. A line snaked out of the front door, lining the side of the building.
I moved to join the back of the line, but Kayla tugged me forward. “We have reservations,” she explained, leading me to the front door. Chase kept pace behind us.
It wasn’t long before our presence was noticed.
The moment a shifter saw us, he or she would turn to their friends. I didn’t need shifter hearing to know they were sharing news of our arrival. Their quick glances and double-takes said it all.
I smiled politely at those who made eye contact but didn’t hold their gazes for long. I focused on keeping my balance and resisting the urge to tug on the hem of my dress.
Those standing in the doorway stepped back and allowed us through. Kayla glided right up to the hostess’s stand. Before she could utter our names, the petite hostess gushed an enthusiastic greeting. She grabbed three menus and quickly escorted us to a table smack-dab in the middle of the dining room.
I felt my cheeks heat. I’d anticipated receiving attention at dinner, but I hadn’t planned on being on display throughout the entire meal.
“Is this table agreeable?” the petite hostess asked us. Her dark eyes focused on Chase with obvious interest.
“Actually, do you think we can sit over there.” Chase gestured to a table tucked against the wall, only ten feet from the kitchen door.
“Oh, I-I don’t know,” the hostess stuttered. “I don’t think my boss would like if I sat the alpha’s future mate there.”
My blush deepened.
Kill me now.
“It’s fine,” Chase countered. “Isn’t it, Blair?”
“M-more than fine,” my embarrassment made me stutter.
Still, the hostess looked unsure.
Chase leaned forward, dazzling the girl with a reassuring smile “If your boss has a problem with it, tell him to come speak to me.” He winked.
