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She tips her head, showing me one raised brow. “It’s the middle of the night, Dez. Nothing’s open.”

“Do you trust me?”

“Yeah.” One word offered freely makes my heart race. I promise myself here and now that I won’t take it for granted.

“Good. Pants, now.” Twirling her toward the stairs, I lay one solid crack of my palm against Daph’s ass. She jumps, glaring over her shoulder even as her thighs clench. Grumbling about bossy alphas, she leaves a trail of mouthwatering cotton candy in her wake.

Yeah, my little muse likes it when I touch her. Maybe I’ll give her a little more when we’re done.

But first, a date. Just the two of us.

Twenty minutes later, Daphne’s in my front seat. She’s wearing a full-on blue sweatsuit with a cropped hoodie showing off a stomach that’s so adorably rounded, I can’t stop glancing at it.

I’m gonna bite that later. Just nibble all along those curves.

Seaport’s best kept secret is hidden within the trees and looking more dubious the closer we get. Daph’s hand lands on my thigh, anxiety singing through the interior of my car. There’s no way I could stop myself from comforting her, lifting her fingers to my mouth. The kiss is gentle, as is the way she relaxes once it’s over, but I don’t let her steal her arm back, twisting our fingers together in my lap instead. Now that I’ve got her skin on mine, I’m keeping it.

“Topsy Turvy? What is this?” She reads the rickety ass sign that’s a good twenty years past needing to be redone.

I flash her a grin. “AnAlice in Wonderlandthemed drive-in.”

We pull past the turnoff and a building practically springs from the treeline. Daph’s mouth drops as she takes in the restaurant.

Despite the hour, servers skate around on blue glittered wheels, handing out food like it’s going out of style. Old cars parked by even older drivers litter the pristine pavement, everyone enjoying the taste of nostalgia they’ve been missing.

I pull into a spot at the edge of the lot, desperate to keep my omega to myself. A server with towering neon purple pigtails and some seriously thick eyeliner skates over immediately, perching their arms on Daphne’s windows. “What can I getcha?”

“Uh…” Daph looks at me, eyes wide.

“Want me to order for us?” I ask.

“Please.”

“We’ll have two baskets of seasoned fries, a batch of honey barbecue tenders, regular chicken nuggets, two cheeseburgers with bacon and a large swirl sundae, no banana, extra whip, and sprinkles. Oh, and two bottles of water.”

“You got it.” The server doesn’t bother writing it down, taking the stack of bills I hand over with a smile before disappearing.

Daphne turns, giving me her entire focus. “That’s so much food.”

“Connor was still awake when I texted.”

“He’s been busy lately.” She frowns, picking at the sweats with her free hand. Her sadness is an ache that spreads through my chest and I’ve never wanted to knock some sense into someone more.

Leaning over, I cradle her cheek, enjoying the softness of her under my thumb. “I’m sorry, little muse. Want me to talk to him?”

“No, I’ll do it. Connor and I need to figure out our relationship together.” She straightens, armor sliding back on like it’s second nature, but the tinge of uncertainty lingers as she looks around. “How long has this been here?”

I let my hand and the subject drop. She’s absolutely right, it’s none of my business how they settle things, but I’ll keep a closer eye on Connor, anyway.

“Since my parents were kids.” I point out her window. “In fact, three spots over is where they had their first date.”

I refuse to think of anything else that could’ve happened in that parking space. My sanity depends on it.

“Your mom’s been texting me.” There’s something sweet about the way Daph peers over, like she’s worried I’ll be upset about it even though Mama B’s decision to adopt her obviously makes them both happy.

“I’ve seen.” The family group chat has been chaos as my siblings and their partners prove they’re the biggest menaces I know. “How do you feel about everything? I know they can be overwhelming. If you need me to tell them off?—”

Daphne lunges across the console, laying her fingers against my lips. It’s second nature to cradle her back, supporting her body as she leans into me. “I like your family.”