Chapter 69

Rachel POV

Dave's Diner

Burgers and fries came fast at Dave's Diner. We had to wait longer for the milkshakes, but they came in giant, old-fashioned milkshake glasses with enough shake for a second pour in the stainless steel mixing cups which came alongside. I'd ordered banana while Nathan had asked for chocolate.

"Is your phone going off again?"

My phone had been buzzing angrily every few minutes since our drinks arrived. I'd seen Tyler's name on the screen; I had zero desire to explain to him I wasn't able to talk because I was having dinner with Nathan.

"It's Tyler. He's persistent. He will also not be any angrier in an hour than he is right now. We can enjoy our meal in peace."

"I don't think you get a lot of that with Wright. Peace, I mean."

I knew what he meant and he wasn't wrong. Nathan was, on paper and in person, the more pleasant of the two Alphas, but he wasn't the one who made my heart beat faster or my blood race through my veins. I had already come to terms with the fact I was meant to be with Tyler whether it made sense for either of us or not.

"What about you? Do you get a lot of peace with Charlotte Wright?"

I raised a brow in defiance at Nathan while going back to my shake. I hated the idea of that bitch being in Nathan's life even if I didn't want him for myself. I just---wanted someone better for him.

"Char? We're just friends. Our parents want more, of course, but mine are reluctant to accept the marriage offer since she's not my fated mate."

Nathan shrugged a broad shoulder and finished his burger. Everything about him seemed cleaner, neater, more refined than Tyler. I could see a confidence in Nathan which came from being beloved from birth.

Did Tyler worry I wouldn't choose him because Nathan Lewis was a shining example of what an Alpha was meant to be? Did Tyler ever really worry at all?

"You're not dating her because you like her? She's a beautiful woman."

I hated admitting it, but Tyler's sister really was attractive. I didn't think I was fishing for compliments. I was genuinely curious about how Nathan saw Charlotte, what he thought about her, how he felt about her.

I didn't want Nathan for myself, but I did want him to find someone who would be good to him. He deserved someone who would love him.

"You're a beautiful woman," Nathan said, reaching across the table to touch my hand.

I was struck with memories of the two of us holding hands over milkshakes in high school. I pulled my hand away because the memories were strong enough for me to feel the heat of his hand around mine even though he'd not gone so far as to grab my hand.

"And you're a very handsome man, Alpha Lewis. Tell me what you're planning to do with yourself now you're back here. I haven't gotten the scoop on you! I'm sure you have more going on than trying to avoid being wrangled into an arranged mating."

Nathan took the bait and changed the subject to his plans now he was back in the city. I wasn't surprised to learn he was planning to get his Master of Business Administration from a local university with an excellent record. He would start working for his family immediately. House Lewis made their fortune in real estate; Nathan had the perfect personality for handling prospective investors or buyers.

I lost track of time as we finished our food and sipped our shakes. Tyler had called me three times before starting to text. His texts were getting more and more aggressive the longer I delayed responding to him.

Finally sick of the sound of my phone buzzing like an angry hornet, I excused myself to call Tyler.

"I'm sorry, Nathan. Tyler is getting anxious. I'll be right back. I'm just going to tell him where I am so he'll let us alone to finish here, okay?"

I slipped out of the booth then stepped out onto the sidewalk to make my call.

"Tyler! You're driving me crazy. I'm having dinner with Nathan at a diner close to my apartment. I'm perfectly safe and just fine so you---"

I was cut off as a familiar black sedan pulled up onto the curb in front of me. My mouth was probably hanging open when Tyler practically leapt out of the car to grab my arm. I almost started to talk into the phone I was so startled.

Falling into the backseat with a yelp, I couldn't do anything except shield my head from hitting the opposite door as Tyler shoved me over enough to get in with me. Adam pulled off the curb before I could so much as hang up the call.

"Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

"I have some idea since you were messaging me incessantly. How did you even find me?"

"Adam can track anyone. This was easier though. I still pay for your cell phone. I pulled up the GPS. I thought you'd been abducted or attacked or you were having a medical emergency!"

A part of me was furious Tyler had barged into my life as if he had a right to track me down anytime he wanted.

The larger part of me was flattered he cared enough to panic on my behalf.

"I wasn't though. None of those things. When you saw Dave's Diner pop up on the location tracker, did you really think I was in trouble?"

A flush spread darker over Tyler's high cheekbones. He clenched his teeth hard enough for me to see a muscle in his jaw ticking away. I decided to give him a moment to collect himself because he looked as if he needed it.

Taking advantage in the lull of activity around me, I texted Nathan to let him know Tyler had picked me up. I tried to make it sound as if it was a spontaneous yet voluntary trip rather than what amounted to a public abduction. Nathan sent me back a simple reply telling me not to worry and I wanted to hug him again for being so understanding.

"You had a gift for her?" Adam hinted, amusement in his tone telling me he was laughing at Tyler or me or both of us.

Probably both of us from the grin he was sporting as our eyes met in the rearview mirror.

"A gift?"

Tyler had been so inattentive to me during our mating I'd taken every shred of kindness from him as a major event. The idea he'd hunted me down to give me a gift before I left for unknown territory charmed me completely.

I put my hand on his arm and lightly squeezed his bicep, giving him a sincere smile as I leaned into him.

"What kind of present did you just have to give me before I went out of town?"

Tyler's eyes were fixed on my lips as he replied, "I don't want you to open it in the car. Will you go back to the house with me?"

I liked he asked me rather than simply telling Adam to keep driving. My affection for him doubled even as I wished I had been able to finish my milkshake or at least tell Nathan I was leaving in person rather than abandoning him in the diner.

"Yes. Thank you for asking."

"I'm---working on it."

Tyler hesitated before draping his arm over my shoulders. I curled into his side, enjoying the weight of his arm around me and the scent of his Alpha musk as I lay my head on his chest. We had a few minutes to sit together just sharing space before Adam made the circle into the drive I knew so well I could recognize it in total darkness.

I liked Tyler had called it 'the house' instead of 'our house.'

This place had been my prison more than my home when we had been together. I wanted to see it differently though and I let myself be charmed by its modern design, glass windows and doors, and the way the light reflected off it as the day was dying.

I could see myself raising a baby here.

The thought was surprising enough I didn't protest at all as Tyler tugged me out of the sedan. I followed him into the house. Signs of life existed in the space I hadn't seen before: glasses on the tables, paperwork strewn beside the formal sofa, and even a pair of house slippers I didn't recognize in the entryway.

"I take it you're trying to let the place have a more 'lived in' feel to it now?"

"No, I've just been mean enough to keep even Magda at bay. I don't like being here without you. I don't like living without you."

Tyler cupped his hand around the back of my head, leaned down, and captured my mouth in a fiery kiss so hot I thought I would burst into flames.