Page 56 of As The Shifter World Turns

56

GREEN EYES

Ryder

I had to admit that while hiring someone had been a grade A pain in the butt from figuring out who was good enough, to the breakdown where I ended up drawing a name at random and then having not one, but two people whose names were picked turning down the job. No part of the process was fun. But at the end of the day I ended up with Trey and he was doing a pretty great job.

If I had one complaint it was that all the delivery guys took their sweet time doing their jobs so they could oogle him. And really, had I not been madly in love with the father of my baby, I’d have looked twice at him probably. He was stunning. We had nothing in common and looking would be all it was, but I understood their interest. I just wish it didn’t slow productivity down.

“Hey, boss man, I know I’m new here, but can I have off next Saturday? This guy I’m seeing got invited to some art thing and he wants me to go.”

“Yeah, I don’t see why not. I’ll try to be flexible whenever I can.” I had those bosses that controlled your free time because they could at my first job and I planned to never be that guy. “Tell me about the art thing.”

“I have no idea,” he chuckled. “He asked me to go and I said yes. That’s the extent of it. Sometimes guys are just… sometimes you always say yes.” He blushed and looked down at the desk. Adorable.

“I get that.” I did too. I would pretty much do anything Ivor asked. “I’m going to grab a sandwich. Need anything?”

“Nah. Someone made me one.” And there was that blush again. So sweet.

I ran to the sandwich shop and grabbed a turkey sub and chips, rushing back. I had some invoices to enter into the books before I could go home and I was hoping to leave early. Ivor didn’t work on Saturdays and I was hoping he'd be up for an early movie at home. He was at that sleepy stage of his pregnancy so if it wasn’t done before seven, he’d be sleeping through it.

“Whatever.” Ivor’s voice slammed into me as I reached my office door. “Say what you want?—”

“Ivor?” I wanted to ask him why he was being rude, but the look on Trey's face shouted Save me. “Want to come and eat outside?”

“What? You don’t want Mr. Hottie to see me?”

Great . My shit with Kellan permanently broke him.

“Now.” I was firmer this time.

He made a face and came out into the hallway. I needed to more than apologize to Trey. Next Saturday was going to be a paid day and I might give him the sandwich.

After a snide glance at Trey, he followed me out and I walked straight to the stairwell.

“What was that bullshit?” I didn’t hide my anger. “He just got started and he’s doing a great job and what? You decide to be mean to him because you can?”

“Why did you hire an underwear model to do my job,” he asked, not meeting my eyes.

“What are you talking about? You quit and I needed an employee.” I tried to remember he was pregnant and moody and not to make things worse.

“So, he is a model. I knew it.” And that was when it hit me. He was jealous.

“I have no idea. It’s not my business. Why are you here?”

“I had to get some shit I left here but then you had him to?—”

“Stop with the jealousy. We aren’t together—your choice. You get no say.” And I wished he did. But also if he was going to be like this, he wasn’t ready. He still had Kellan sitting between us and I had no idea how to make it better… if I even could.

“Fine. Date him. See if I care.” He stomped off as I tried to figure out if I should run after him or if that would only make it worse. I decided on the latter and went back to the office to try and convince Trey not to quit.

Daire

“Please.” I was not even feeling bad about begging.

I’d have asked Archer and Micah, but there was no way they’d leave Elune with a sitter with all the stuff they had going on with the university. I knew this was kind of a big deal asking a huge favor of Neil and Martin, but I needed back up.

“It will be fun.” I hoped. It was my first date with Nate and while I wanted to be comfortable with him and not project the whole the previous asshole I dated stole my money thing onto him, it was hard and frankly, I was scared.

“It won’t be fun. First dates are always awkward and weird and a double date on a first date?” Neil just rolled his eyes.

I gave him my best puppy dog eyes.

“Fine. I’ll ask Martin, but he has Toby and it’s not easy to drop everything and just go on a date so you don’t have to be alone with the new guy.” I actually appreciated his bluntness and I knew this was hard for him. He wasn’t a fan of going out. “And I pick the place.”

“Absolutely.”

He took out his phone and called Martin and then told me he’d be right back mid-conversation. I tried to hold onto the fact that it wasn’t a no.

I was supposed to meet Nate in an hour. He seemed like a nice guy. But then again so did Mr. Steal Your Monies. And really would going out with him and others make him less inclined to do so? Absolutely not. But maybe my friends would see something I didn’t and if they did… this time I was going to freaking listen to them.

Fifteen minutes later Neil came back with Martin. “You have to bring dinner for Archer and Micah to pay for the baby sitting. They told us they wouldn’t take any money for it. They can’t not accept food,” Neil said firmly letting me know it was not negotiable. Not that I would complain if he asked me to donate a kidney in exchange. I was that desperate to not go alone.

Nate was understanding when I asked him to meet at the diner instead of the restaurant we had planned. It was an odd choice for a first date, but it was some place Neil felt comfortable and no part of me was surprised he picked it.

Nate was already there when we arrived and looked exactly like his picture down to his stunning green eyes. We’d been messaging one another a lot but this was the first time meeting in person. Not catfishing was a good sign that he wasn’t another Wesley.

“This is Neil and Martin cause I didn’t want to be alone with… they’re my friends.” Because apparently I was going for a ruin a date in ten seconds vibe.

“You think I’m a serial killer?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Naw, just your typical thief.” Neil stuck out his tongue and the guy laughed.

“Good because I didn’t want to lecture you about meeting people you think might be serial killers. That would be a boring date.” He held the door open for us. “Let’s get in and maybe discuss our social security numbers.”

At least the guy had a sense of humor and was gorgeous and didn’t seem to mind my friends there. Maybe he was a keeper after all. Not that I was jumping into anything, especially not into bed. Been there, done that, lost all the monies.

We ate greasy burgers and fries and cheese sticks. We drank floats and even finished off with pie. There was nothing healthy about this dinner and I’d have been worried about gaining some weight if I hadn’t gotten a full on ab work out from all the laughing .

If my awkwardness wasn’t having people giggle, Nate had us cracking up. And Neil and Martin… heck they held their own. I couldn’t remember a night when I laughed this hard and freely.

“This was great.” Nate handed his credit card to the server, waving off Martin who had his out as well. “I got it. I haven’t laughed this hard in ages… not since the last time I had a family dinner with my brothers and parents.”

“Are you saying your date was like a family dinner?” Neil asked. “Cause pretty sure Daire was hoping it was more date like than parent like.”

I didn’t know if I should love or kiss him. I adored how at ease Neil was with Martin. I knew they had things they needed to figure out, but seeing Neil carefree like this was wonderful.

“Don’t worry.” Nate wrapped his arm around me. “I was.”