Page 36 of His True Mate

“She’s a keeper, dude,” James told me.

“Back off, Austin,” Wyatt warned.

“We’re just here for breakfast, assholes. Winnie, this is Austin, Emmett, Wyatt, and James. Guys, this is Winnie, my mate.”

“Called it,” Wyatt said. “The second you walked in the door.”

“He was holding her hand, dead giveaway,” Emmett added.

“Yeah, I mean if it had been Austin or Emmett no one would have batted an eye your way, but Clay doesn’t exactly bring girls around us,” James explained.

“Gee, I wonder why?” she said sarcastically.

“I like her,” Austin admitted removing his arm from her.

“Can we just get breakfast in peace and not make a big deal out of this?” I asked.

“No,” they all said in unison.

What had I really expected would happen bringing her here? I’d asked for this.

“The usual?” Kate asked walking over to our table.

Wyatt wrapped his arm around her waist and gave it a squeeze. I couldn’t help the surge of jealousy that ran through me. Would Winnie and I ever be that comfortable together?

“Do you guys grope every female in this place?” Winnie blurted out.

I bit back a grin and let Wyatt handle it.

“Winnie, this is my mate, Kate. And no. I promise you this isn’t the norm. We’re just excited to meet you. I think I can speak for us all when I say we’re a little shocked to see you.”

“Why’s that?”

Austin snorted. “Because it’s next to impossible to get the old man to break his routine long enough to meet anyone. Where’d he even find you? You aren’t from around here, are you?”

“No, I’m not.”

“He picked her up at the rodeo in Omaha,” Brady teased as he, Cruz, and Luke joined us.

I groaned.

“Hey, Winnie,” Cruz said.

“Hey, Cruz.”

She seemed a little relieved to see a familiar face.

“Luke, what time is Syd’s place open today?” I asked.

“Eight, but she’s over there doing inventory already so feel free to swing by anytime.”

“Thanks. We’ll head over after breakfast. Luke’s mate owns a girlie boutique in town,” I explained.

“Apparently my clothes aren’t appropriate for around here,” she said glaring at me.

“Nah, it’s not that,” Cruz explained. “He’s just an overprotective mating male right now.”

“So I’ve been reminded,” she muttered.