Page 14 of Knotty, Nice, & Holiday Lights
“I know,” I say. “But I don’t think she does.”
His lips form a straight line as he nods. “She lived in L.A. most of her life, so who knows which suppressants she’s on?”
My brow tightens at the memory of my friend and his pack brothers finding their Omega, only for her to not realize their connection at all. Her suppressants interfered with her ability to recognize scent matches.
A ball of fear grows in my chest.
“Also,” Asher adds, pushing away from the island, “I think she’s hung up on her old boyfriend.” He frowns. “The subject upset her, so be careful.”
And, with that, he leaves the kitchen.
Izzy came here to Crescent Lake alone. Whether she still has feelings for some ex or not, she’s here with me. With us.
She belongs to us.
We just need to figure out how to get her to see that.
Chapter Seven
“Then he said, ‘Listen here, you pompous arsemonger! I’ve been acting since before you were a wiggle in your daddy’s dangle-bags. I will not have you telling me who my character is.’”
We all bust out laughing at the dinner table as Asher tells us about one of his first acting gigs for a movie in the UK, adopting a boisterous old-man voice when he tells us what the other guy said.
“I was young, dumb, and thought I knew it all.” His head shakes as he smiles. “Arthur Edding was a legend, and after we wrapped that movie, I like to think I won him over.” A huffed laugh. “Or, at least I wasn’t such an egotistical little shit any longer.”
I grin over my wineglass at him. “I can’t imagine you not winning over everyone around you.”
He lets out a hearty laugh. “I’m a different man than I was twenty-plus years ago.” He smirks, those dark eyes going darker. “I’m an older and more experienced gentleman now.”
I snort a giggle, return his smirk. “Oh, I bet you are.”
And that’s enough wine for me. The alcohol warmed my body already, and I’ve been loose of tongue ever since it happened.
Down, girl.
Will smiles jovially. “I wish I had even a fraction of Asher’s stories to tell.”
“I’m sure you have a few bangers,” I tease.
He lets out a laugh. “Well, there was that time when I tripped at the fair and sent my ice cream cone flying through the air, where it landed on the most popular girl in school’s head in front of all her friends.” His expression is comical. “Fun times.”
I let out a laugh, head shaking. “First time I met Asher, I bumped into him in a hallway and sent his tea spilling all over him.”
“And the floor,” Asher adds helpfully.
“Yes,” I cut him a look. “And all over the floor. You’re the first person I ever met who walked around with a gallon bucket of tea in their grasp.”
He lets out a,“Ha!”before sticking another French fry—chip?—in his mouth.
Will’s gaze bounces between me and Asher, a bemused look on his face. “I’m glad that you two know each other. There’s a certain warmth that comes from old friends reuniting. It’s comforting.”
I smile at him, but there’s a certain tinge of sadness to his tone that I really want to prod at, but, despite the alcohol, I still have enough wits about me not to. I don’t know Will well enough to question him, and I have a feeling that whatever dark cloud looms over his head is going to be tough to wrangle.
The next morning, I find myself at Cuppa again. I really like this little cafe.
I’d walked really slowly this morning, hoping that Asher might catch up with me, but he never did.
Today, I ordered a mocha latte with extra foam. The barista made a beautiful autumn leaf design on top, and I made sure to tip extra for it. These kids deserve it!
