I’m at Silverlake, I can be in town in twenty minutes.
Great, I’ll wait for you by the hot dog stand opposite the coffee shop we went to last time.
I rush back inside and grab my stuff. “Sorry guys,” I blurt at the group. “I have to go. I have a… a… meeting.” My shit-eating grin must have given me away, because Jace just whistles while Dad and Finn exchange a knowing grin.
Brian gives me the thumbs up.
Great. Way to go guys. Could you make it any more embarrassing?
Obviously, they can because as I’m heading out the door, Cedric waves and adds, “Say hello to my daughter.”
The group burst into laughter, but I couldn’t care less. I run to my car and drive off to meet my mate.
*VALERIE*
“Do you guys want something to eat?” the waitress asks. “Kitchen is closing in half an hour, then it will only be drinks.”
“I wouldn’t mind something to eat,” Aurelia considers.
The others agree. Wolves can eat a lot.
“I’d love some fries,” Nox says.
“How about we let this beautiful lady bring everyone some fries and a few other starters and finger foods to share?” Jazz asks, winking at the waitress.
Wow, Aryanna has really rubbed off on her. I grin.
The waitress giggles.
“Yeah, just bring us everything from the starters and finger food section of the menu,” Eric agrees with a grin. “And a whisky for me, please.”
“Plain?” she asks.
“Lemon.”
“Awesome, anyone else?” The waitress eyes us expectantly, and we order another round of cocktails.
Eric’s hand rests on my knee, occasionally squeezing it while we all drink our cocktails. We’re out with my friends tonight. It’s the first time I’ve officially introduced Eric to them. Most of them have met him already, like Aurelia and Jazz, but I wanted him to meet everyone else in a casual setting.
Tori and Marilou are having the time of their life, it seems. Hurling questions at us and asking Eric about the Council. I tell them about my plans and how I will leave with Eric soon.
“We have to throw a party for you,” Lionel announces.
I’m so relieved it isn’t awkward between Lion and me. I know we’d flirted a little before I met Eric, and I might have seriously considered pursuing something with him had the circumstances not changed for me, but it seems like he’s happy that I’ve found my mate. He even winked at me when we went to the bar together earlier saying, “It looks like I missed my chance.”
I chuckle. “You will find a better choice for you,” I’d promised. “There is no doubt you will have an awesome mate and will fall head over heels for her.”
He’d beamed at me and nodded in agreement.
I’m glad I didn’t start anything with him, though. It makes things far less awkward. Meanwhile, Terry and Marilou are obviously crushing on each other hard. It was only flirting before, but now I can see Terry holding her hand sometimes and staring at her with a dreamy gaze.
They are such a cute couple. Marilou is one of the sweetest people I know, and Terry is such a nice guy. I just hope neither of them gets hurt in a year when they turn eighteen and find out if they are mates or not. It’s not my place to patronize them though. I’m sure they know the risks.
“You scored quite a catch,” Tori says to me grinning broadly.
Aurelia groans. “Tori, he’s my cousin, please.”
“But he’s hot,” she giggles.