Page 5 of Crushes and Confections
My suspicions melted slightly at his words and I felt myself opening up in turn. Vance seemed a mix of interested and cautious, and hell, the alpha was still sitting there with a smile on his face after I sprayed my drink all over him so the least I could do was open up a bit in return.
“I didn’t realize I was in love with Claire until after high school and by then I may have already had a stint in being boy crazy. She was my rock when I was figuring myself out, but by the time I realized that what I was missing in my relationships was something I had with her, well, I wasn’t sure how to explain that.”
Vance laid his hand palm up on the table in invitation, a gesture I quickly took as I threaded my fingers between his, noticing that he didn’t wear a ring.
“You can ask me more questions in a minute, promise,” he said, noticing my attention. “So after all these years, you’ve never said anything?”
“I didn’t want her to think I was wishy-washy in my feelings and between putting in long hours at work and choosing all the wrong people, I haven’t had the best track record with making relationships last,” I admitted. “Plus, there’s the fact that she’s a woman and I wouldn’t know the first thing about them and oh my god I need to shut my mouth fast.” Embarrassment washed over me. My sister was right, I was a dating disaster.
His hand tightened on mine as I finished off the last of my drink.
“That’s nothing to be ashamed about, Riley. If anything, it just speaks to how much you truly care about her.”
“You know back before I realized I was in love with her, we used to talk about being in the same pack together? Both of us finding alphas who were best friends too and getting to stay together forever,” I said, remembering the dream I’d held on to fondly.
“Who’s to say that dream won’t come true?” Vance said with a smile. “Who’s to say it won’t be better than you both imagined, both of you and your pack together as well.”
“That would be the life,” I said with a sigh, my free hand going to play with the necklace Claire had given me on my sixteenth birthday. It was a simple gold chain, nothing exceptionally flashy, but I wore it constantly, my way of having her with me all the time.
For Hollows’ sake I was hopeless.
“I don’t know if it’s my place,” Vance started, leaning closer to me, “but I’m hoping you’ll put in a good word with her for me so I can take both of you out next time, but the way you’re feeling about Claire now? I’m almost positive that she feels the exact same way about you.”
The sincerity in his eyes couldn’t be faked and I felt a spark of hope rush through me.
“If you’re sure, then I may need to recruit you in Operation Win Over My Best Friend in the Whole World who you also seem to adore so she can be the delicious filling in our delectable date sandwich.”
A laugh tumbled from Vance’s mouth. “Why don’t we just call it Operation Cupid? We might not have any fully grown men dressed up as cherubs, but I’m not opposed to doing what it takes to get to know you both better. I meant it when I said there’s a connection here.”
“Aww, you didn’t scare him off yet,” my sister chirped as she came to the table, placing a heaping platter of sizzling fajitas for two in front of us with the works, from chorizo to steak to shrimp. The birria tacos were the icing on the cake. I knew what I was doing when I ordered it.
“You know, it may be an alpha thing, but I usually don’t let anyone order for me. But this? This looks incredible,” Vance noted as he pushed his glasses up on his face and gave me a genuine grin that had me relaxing again.
“Claire says you let her choose your drink each time,” I said, intrigued, wanting to know more of what drew him to the shop in the first place.
“Well, I should say there’s only three people I’ve ever welcomed choosing for me,” Vance said, cocking his head thoughtfully before seeming to come to some kind of decision. “I guess that’s pretty telling in and of itself. Welcoming committee or not I’m pretty sure you and Claire just sealed your fate even more, Gorgeous. I’m even more intrigued now.”
“Oh, he’s cute,” Maria stage whispered, still lingering at the table. “I’ll go put in another round of drinks.”
“Thanks!” I said overly enthusiastically. She gave me a strange look before finally leaving us in peace.
“You’re adorable,” Vance chuckled. “It’s always telling to see siblings interact. You’re a good brother, I can tell.”
There was a hint of sadness he couldn’t quite hide but a first date wasn’t the time to talk about trauma. Even I, the king of dating disasters, could recognize that.
“Thanks,” I said confidently. “Now dig in, you won’t be sorry.” The pride in my voice was strong, but my parents and uncle who ran this restaurant were magic in the cocina.
Vance slid his empty plate closer before grabbing a tortilla and compiling a fajita, not being shy about loading it up. Call me creepy but I couldn’t look away as he took a bite and closed his eyes, humming in appreciation at how amazing it was.
I still felt the same and I ate here several times a week.
“This is one of the best things I’ve ever put in my mouth,” he said emphatically. His cheeks tinted pink as he realized how it sounded and we both cracked up, any lingering tension melting away.
“So, is your husband okay with you being on this date?” I asked carefully. “I’m not exactly here for being the side dude.”
He gave a soft smile. “My partner is very private, but he knows. He’s fine with it and trusts my judgment. You’re not the side dude.”
“Good,” I said simply before digging in. Vance went for the birria next and I paused again, laughing openly as he dipped it in the sauce and took a bite. This time his eyes went wide as he chewed excitedly.