Page 5 of Shrouded in the Dark

I sputtered on a laugh as the water I’d been drinking got stuck. I coughed, clearing my throat, thumping my chest as I laughed through it. Axel lifted an eyebrow at me as I just shook my head at him.

“You did that on purpose.” I leaned over, whispering to her, knowing Axel had heard what she’d said and my response.

When she tilted her head to look me in the eyes, she had a smirk on her round face that was oddly adorable. Her cobalt eyes sparked with her own amusement.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She looked back down at her menu, scrunching her nose in thought.

I’d noticed she’d done that a few times when we’d been talking when she was thinking about something. My fox wanted to boop her nose when she did that but I refused, pissing him off.

“Oh, how about we share a white pizza with pepperoni and pineapple?” Felicity looked up at Becca.

“That sounds yummy to me. Also, garlic bread.” Becca’s stomach rumbled just then, but it wasn’t loud enough in the restaurant a human wouldn’t have heard it but Axel and I did.

Axel laughed into his hand masking it as a cough as I just grinned. Talk about timing.

“Pepperoni sounds great. But pineapple? How dare you!” Axel had turned more in his seat to face Felicity and Becca.

Becca had set the menu down, looking like she was about to reply just as the waitress came to the table. She ran her eyes along Axel and me before licking her upper lip. She totally ignored the two girls.

“What can I get you?” Her voice was lowered in her version of sultry.

I’d leaned back in my chair, draping my arm over the back of Becca’s, getting comfortable so I could enjoy what would happen based on how both girls had stiffened.

“You could grow some manners,” Felicity clipped at the waitress. “You do notice that their GIRLFRIENDS are literally right here? And you know we can see you eyeing our men, right?” Her tiny lie slipped out, but I snickered as Axel’s ears turned red.

“Now, Felicity. It’s not her fault that the guys are so mouthwateringly yummy,” Becca spoke up as she leaned back in her seat, her hair brushing along my arm. “We would like to order though.” She gave our order to the waitress, whose face had progressively gotten angrier through the conversation.

“I’ll get that in right away.” She turned on quickly to rush off.

“I really hope she doesn’t spit on our pizzas,” Becca muttered softly.

I snorted this time, loud enough that she heard me. “Becca, I think that tonight is the start to a beautiful friendship.”

She threw her head back and laughed, her hair covering my arm now. My fox started to purr and I had to hold my breath. He was far too interested in this girl. She wasn’t even our normal type. She’s going to be a friend, I reminded him silently. He ignored me and continued to purr. The lil' fucker.

The time passed quickly. Our food came out, spit free, we hoped, and we all ate hungrily. I even got Axel to try a bite of the pineapple pepperoni pizza. He had grudgingly admitted it wasn’t horrible. The best thing about never being picky meant more food for me.

When it was time to pay, Felicity grabbed the check before either I or Axel could. Felicity pulled out several bills putting them into the fold. She winked at Axel.

“It was my idea. I get to pay.” She stood stretching. Her dress rode up higher on her thighs and my eyes tracked it, but, instead of enjoying it like I thought I would, I didn’t feel anything. “I saw a claw machine. Let’s play one game before we leave?” Her grin was infectious with Axel and Becca.

“You go ahead,” Becca laughed softly at her friend. “I’m going to use the restroom. I’ll catch up.”

Axel stood before wrapping an arm around Felicity’s waist. “You coming?” He looked back at me.

I looked down at Becca with her nose scrunched. “Nah. I’ll be there in a minute.”

Axel shrugged as Felicity led him off to the front of the restaurant and I turned to Becca. “What are you thinking about so hard?”

Becca reached for the check. She counted the bills before sighing softly. She pulled out another five dollar bill with a few ones. She put it with the other bills and slid it to the middle of the table.

“Felicity sometimes has a temper. She looks and sounds fine, but that waitress really pissed her off.” She stood, brushing something off her legs. “Even if the waitress was hitting on you guys, she’s still working hard. She deserves a tip.”

“That’s damn mature.” Surprise laced my tone.

She just shrugged. “My mom worked a second job waitressing for years. I get it.” She looked up at me as I stood next to her. “Plus, you guys are eye candy. Can’t blame her for having that reaction.”

My grin was crooked as I laughed. “Damn. I’m starting to see you don’t have a filter.”