Page 28 of Heat & Deceit
“Okay?”
“She meansit’s okay,” Matthew says.
“But does she?” The alpha turns his scrutinizing gaze toward me. “Do you meanit’s okay, or maybeit’s right?”
“It’s all right,” Matthew says. “You meanit’s all right.”
I bite my cheek to keep a nervous chuckle from escaping.
“Hmm.” The alpha runs his hand over his jaw. “Maybe you’re right. For the record, that wasyou are, notyour.”
Matthew scowls. “Are you making fun of me?”
“Honestly, maybe?” The alpha’s voice turns a little high pitched, almost like he’s worried about admitting it, and then I do laugh.
“Carmine?” The hurt in Matthew’s voice censures me, and I wince.
“Sorry, Matthew.”
“I’m sorry, Matthew.”
I pinch my eyes shut and take a deep breath, refusing to lose my shit on my date in a restaurant full of people and with thatalphawitnessing everything. “Of course. I’m sorry, Matthew.”
“Do you want a drink?”
Matthew and I turn to the alpha, but he’s staring straight at me.
“Um. I’m on a date.”
He nods. “Yeah, I know. That’s why I’m asking.”
“She doesn’t drink.”
I glare at Matthew. I mean, he’s right—I don’t drink—but the alpha was talking to me, and Matthew doesn’t know that particular fact.
“I’d love a glass of wine,” I say to Matthew instead of the alpha. I have no intention of drinking it, but I’m trying to make a point. No one is going to dictate what I can and can’t do ever again, my “nice guy” date included.
It’s rude to constantly correct people, but it’s especially rude to speak on their behalf.
“Red or white?”
I ignore the alpha’s question and smile at Matthew. He shifts uncomfortably in his seat and adjusts his tie.
“You’re not drinking wine,” he finally says.
“The audacity,” the alpha mumbles. “God, and here I thoughtIwas a bad date.”
“Oh my gosh,” I say, jerking around to face him. “You’re being so rude.”
“So is your date. Are you really going to let him tell you what you can and can’t do?”
I scoff. “Like you’d be any better. You’re an alpha.”
“I would be better.” The self-assured grin makes me want to snarl at him, but I don’t. Carmine wouldn’t snarl.
“We should go,” Matthew says, setting his napkin aside.
“We haven’t eaten yet.” My stomach growls on cue. I didn’t get to eat lunch today. I’m starving, and despite having never tried sushi, I can’t wait to eat it.
