Page 65 of Claimed By My Exiled Alphas
“Even when I’m demanding and stubborn and insist on doing things the hard way?”
“Especially then.” I meant it too. The parts of Talia that would probably drive other people crazy were the parts I found most compelling. “Your refusal to be rescued is one of my favorite things about you.”
“That’s a weird favorite thing.”
“I’m a weird person. You should probably know that now before you commit to anything permanent.”
She laughed, and the sound filled our corner of the restaurant with warmth. We finished dinner talking about easier things. The bistro’s design plans. My consulting work. Funny stories from Jace’s ranger shifts that he’d shared in the group chat. Hollis’s latest bookstore drama involving a customer who’d tried to return a book they’d clearly read and then damaged.
By the time dessert arrived, I’d relaxed enough to stop analyzing every word before speaking. This was just conversation with someone I enjoyed. Someone whose company made me feel less isolated than I’d been in years.
“I should tell you something,” I said over the tiramisu we were sharing. “About my family situation.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to. If we’re doing this, you should know what you’re getting involved with.”
She set down her fork and gave me complete attention. The kind of focus that made me understand why she’d been successful in professional kitchens. When Talia paid attention, you felt it.
“My father is still trying to get me to sign an NDA about the development project,” I said. “The settlement offers keep increasing. Last one was for two million dollars and reinstatement in the family business if I agree never to discuss what happened publicly.”
“That’s a lot of money.”
“It’s a fraction of what I would have inherited eventually. But it’s also more than most people see in a lifetime.” I traced patterns on the tablecloth. “The smart play would be to take it. Use the money to establish my consulting business properly, secure my financial future. I don’t need to fight them anymore. The development is dead. Hollow Haven is safe.”
“But you’re not taking it.”
“No. Because taking their money means accepting that what they did was okay. That profit justifies any amount of environmental damage as long as you don’t get caught.” I met her eyes. “And I can’t do that. Even if it means staying broke and isolated and cut off from everyone I grew up with.”
“You’re not isolated anymore.”
The simple statement hit me hard. “No. I suppose I’m not.”
“And for what it’s worth, I think you’re making the right choice. Some things can’t be bought back once you sell them.”
We finished dessert and I paid the bill, waving off her attempt to split it. “This is a date. I’m allowed to pay for dinner on a first date.”
“Traditional Cassian Black.”
“Strategic Cassian Black. If I pay for dinner, it clearly establishes romantic intent rather than friendly collaboration.”
“I think the romantic intent was pretty clear when you made four restaurant reservations.”
Fair point.
We walked out into the cool October evening, and I opened her car door but didn’t immediately close it. We stood there in the parking lot, close enough that I could feel her warmth in the cooling air.
“Thank you for tonight,” she said softly. “For the research and the restaurant and the honesty.”
“Thank you for saying yes. And for not judging me for being fundamentally weird about everything.”
“I like that you’re weird about everything. It makes me feel less weird when I’m being weird about my own things.” She moved closer as she spoke, her voice lowering to a whisper.
We were very close now. Close enough that I could see gold flecks in her hazel eyes under the parking lot lights. Close enough to count freckles across her nose. Close enough that leaning forward just a few inches would close the distance entirely.
“Talia.” Her name came out rougher than I’d intended. “Can I kiss you?”
“I’ve been waiting for you to ask that all evening.”
