Page 7 of The Alpha’s Addiction (Night Grove Falls: The Alphas #1)

SEVEN

Adeline

The knock on my door comes exactly at six.

I jump, heart leaping into my throat as I glance at the clock. It’s silly. I’ve been watching the time for the last thirty minutes, pacing in front of my mirror, changing my outfit twice, and reapplying my lip balm more times than I care to admit.

My heart is racing. My palms are sweaty. I’m not ready for this, but it’s too late to back out now. Rhodes is outside.

Reaching for the doorknob, I pause. I take a breath. Deep, slow. My nerves don’t settle, but I manage to twist the knob and pull the door open.

He stands on the other side like something out of a dream—broad shoulders wrapped in a dark button-down shirt that stretches across his chest, jeans hugging his thick thighs, and boots planted like he’s ready to protect me from anything.

His dark hair is combed back but still a little messy at the edges, like he’s too rugged to ever be completely polished.

His green eyes meet mine, and his lips curve into a smile that makes my breath catch.

"Hey," he says, voice rough and low.

"Hey," I echo, too breathless to try to be clever.

He holds something out to me, and I blink at the small bouquet in his hand. Wildflowers. Not a fancy store-bought arrangement, but a bundle of bright, colorful blooms that look freshly picked.

"For you."

I take them, my fingers brushing his. That same jolt zings up my arm, a weird, electric awareness that only happens with him. My cheeks warm.

"Thank you," I say, stepping back so he can come inside.

His eyes sweep over my space, taking in the clean counters, the scent of sugar still lingering in the air, the stack of labeled bakery boxes on the table, but he doesn’t comment. Instead, he watches me as I find a mason jar, fill it with water, and tuck the flowers inside.

When I turn back around, he’s still watching me.

"You look beautiful."

My breath stutters, and my cheeks heat with a blush.

I wore my favorite dress, the navy blue with tiny white polka dots, fitted at the waist and flaring out at my hips. I paired it with a soft gray cardigan and flats, and I even curled my hair. I look... nice. But beautiful? I’ve never been called that before. Not seriously. Not like this.

"Thank you," I whisper.

He steps closer, offering his arm. "Ready to go?"

I nod, looping my arm through his. We walk outside together, and the air is crisp but not cold. The last of the sun glows behind the trees as he opens the passenger door of his truck for me. It smells like leather and pine inside, faintly like him.

He starts the engine and pulls out of the lot.

"So," I say after a few minutes. "Where are we going?"

"You like Italian?"

I nod. "Love it."

"Good. There’s a place on the edge of town. Candlelight, fresh pasta. Thought it might be nice."

My heart skips. Candlelight? That sounds... romantic. And terrifying.

I glance at him out of the corner of my eye. "Is this a date?"

He turns to me, brow raised. "Yes."

I chew my lip, heart pounding. "Okay."

He returns his gaze to the road. "You don’t date much.”

He says it as a statement, but I still answer.

"Is it that obvious?"

"A little."

"It’s not that I didn’t want to. I just... I didn’t get asked,” I say as I fiddle with the edge of my sleeve.

Rhodes’s hands tighten slightly on the wheel, and I wonder why he seems so on edge.

He must be nervous about our date, too. That thought helps to put me at ease a bit.

I continue, because I figure if I don’t say this now, I never will.

"Growing up, I was always the chubby, quiet girl.

The one with flour in her hair and books in her backpack.

In high school, I used to fantasize about proposals and secret admirers, but it never happened.

And by college, I was working two jobs and trying not to drown in grief.

Dating just... never seemed like something meant for me. "

He doesn’t reply right away, and I worry I’ve overshared.

"They were all fools. Every single one of them," he finally says, his tone edged with frustration.

I glance over and find him watching the road, jaw tight. "You don’t know that," I whisper.

"I do." He turns to me at a red light. "You’re stunning, Adeline. Smart. Strong. Sweet. They didn’t see you, and that’s their loss."

I don’t know what to say to that. So I simply nod, throat tight.

We pull up to the restaurant, and my stomach flips as I take in the soft lighting through the windows and the cozy patio strung with fairy lights. Rhodes parks, then circles the truck to open my door.

Inside, the hostess beams at him. "Alph—Mr. Carter! Your table’s ready."

He nods, resting a hand on the small of my back as we follow her.

The table is tucked into a corner, intimate and quiet. The candlelight flickers between us as we sit. Rhodes orders us a bottle of red wine, and I glance at the menu, overwhelmed but trying not to show it.

"I recommend the ravioli," he says.

"What are you getting?"

"Lasagna. Big portion. You can steal some if you want."

I smile. "I probably will."

He grins like that was exactly what he wanted to hear.

The server comes over to take our order. Silence settles over us once he leaves. It’s not uncomfortable, but it’s heavy.

I sip my water and glance at Rhodes. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Your past. I don’t date much, but I get the feeling you’re not exactly Mr. Social either."

He chuckles, the sound low and deep. "No. I’m not."

I wait.

He exhales. "I grew up in the north part of town. My parents died when I was a teenager, and after that... it was just me. I had to figure out what I wanted and how to make it happen fast."

“Rhodes, I’m so sorry,” I say softly.

“Thanks.”

“So, you decided to stay in town,” I say, trying to get the conversation back on track.

“Yeah, this place is home. I never wanted to be anywhere else.”

“You’re lucky you had that at least.”

“Yeah,” he says quietly.

I take another sip of water.

“Tell me about baking,” he says.

I smile. “Well, I’ve always loved to cook.”

He nods, urging me to go on.

“My mom wasn’t around much when I was growing up.

She was a single mom and worked a lot. I took over cooking when I was a kid.

It made me feel useful to have dinner ready for her when she got home.

She was so… relieved, I guess is the right word, not to have to worry about cooking after a long day. ”

“I bet.”

“It was my way of helping out.”

Our food arrives, and we eat in comfortable silence. The ravioli melts in my mouth, and I moan quietly at the taste. Rhodes stares, and I know my face must be beet red again.

"What?" I ask, flushing.

"You’re just... perfect."

I laugh, embarrassed. “Hardly.”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “No, you are.”

He says it so confidently that a part of me believes him.

By the time we finish our meal and split a slice of tiramisu, my body is relaxed, the food warm in my veins. I feel good. Not jittery or awkward. Just good.

He pays the check, and we walk back to his truck. The air is cooler now, and I shiver slightly. Without a word, Rhodes shrugs out of his jacket and drapes it over my shoulders.

“Thanks,” I say shyly.

He nods and opens the door for me, offering me his hand to help me into the passenger seat.

We drive in silence for a while, but it’s the kind of silence that hums with possibility. When he pulls up in front of my building, he cuts the engine but doesn’t move.

"Can I walk you up?"

I nod, heart racing.

We climb the stairs together, and I fumble with my keys, unlocking the door.

"Thank you," I say, turning to face him.

"For what?"

"For tonight. Dinner. Talking."

“Anytime,” he says as he steps closer.

He looks at me as he slowly, carefully leans in.

His lips brush mine, soft and tentative. I inhale sharply, but don’t pull away. The kiss deepens slightly, his hand resting gently on my waist. And then he pulls back.

"Can I see you again?" he asks intently.

I nod. "Yeah. I’d like that."

His smile is slow and real. "Goodnight, Adeline."

"Goodnight, Rhodes."

I step inside, close the door, and immediately press my back against it.

Holy. Crap.

Heading to my bedroom, I take a cold shower, tug on my pajamas, and call Holly.

She answers on the first ring. "Well?"

I collapse onto the couch. "He kissed me."

She screams.

I wince, holding the phone away.

"Tell me everything."

I do. From the flowers to the restaurant to his stories about Night Grove Falls to the kiss. I spill it all, and when I’m done, there’s silence on the other end.

"Wow," she finally breathes. "Okay. So, let’s talk."

"About?"

"About how this man clearly worships you."

I snort. "He doesn’t. He barely knows me."

"But he wants to. He sees you, Addy. You’ve spent your whole life thinking you weren’t the kind of girl men fall for, but that’s a lie. You just hadn’t met the one who would."

I bite my lip. "What if he changes his mind? What if he realizes I’m not enough?"

"Then he’s an idiot. But I don’t think he will. You said it yourself; he looks at you like you’re his everything."

I nod, swallowing hard. "I’m scared."

"I know, but you deserve this. You deserve someone who loves you unconditionally. Who thinks you hung the moon. And from what you’ve told me, Rhodes thinks you do."

I wipe my eyes. "I think I want to fall for him."

"Then do it. Jump. I’ll be here to catch you if you need me."

I sniffle. "I love you."

"Love you more. Now get some sleep."

I hang up and curl into the couch, heart full and mind spinning.

I don’t know what the future holds, but for the first time in a long time, I’m excited to find out.