“I’m inviting you, aren’t I?”
“No need to get snarky,” she told me. “Is this invitation only?” She glanced around the hall where students streamed around us and I grimaced. “I’ll take that as a yes, and in that case, I’ll be there. Who would miss an opportunity to mingle with the Pack?”
I smiled ruefully as she disappeared into the flow of students. Who indeed.
***
“She’s been a lifesaver, Bunny. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Dad enthused, shaking his head as he chopped something into mush. “She even came over today and put a roast in the oven for us.”
“That’s nice of her,” I commented. “What are you chopping exactly?”
“Salad. She said we needed to eat more fresh vegetables.”
“She did,” I murmured noncommittally. Dom shot me a glance that pleaded for me to play nice. Dad had reluctantly agreed he could join us for dinner and Dom was all about making a good impression. I guess me commenting negatively on the wonderful Wren wouldn’t help matters. “You should have invited her for dinner too.”
Dad’s head came up and when I saw his expression, I knew exactly who was now knocking on our door. “You did invite her,” I said with forced cheer. Between Monster and Dad, all I’d heard for the last three days were the wonders of Wren.
After an awkward dinner, and Wren insisting she help Dad with the dishes, I disappeared into my room with Dom, Monster coming along as our chaperone.
“What are we going to do now? Wren taught me this cool trick –”
“Okay, that’s enough about Wren.” I pushed open the window and hissed, “Trent.”
“What are you doing?” Dom asked, baffled. I shot him a glance before whispering, “Trent.”
“You called, my lady? What would your dear mate say if he knew you were whispering other men’s names at your window?”
“He’d wonder why they’d be dumb enough to answer,” Dom growled and Trent jumped in mock surprise.
“Ah, if it’s not one of my favorite friends.”
“And here I thought I was your only friend,” Dom said dryly.
“Harsh, Dom. Really, harsh.” Trent had his hand over his heart and I rolled my eyes.
“Okay, you two, are you done? Should I leave you alone?” They traded a speculative glance and I huffed. “Trent, I need a favor.”
Trent glanced at me and Dom and then down at Monster. “I have a terrible feeling I know where this is going.”
“Can’t I just go hang out with Wren?” Monster whined and I rolled my eyes.
“No, because then you wouldn’t be chaperoning Dom and I.”
“But if I go with him, I won’t be chaper-chaponing you either,” he said, stumbling over the word.
“Right, but Dad won’t know.”
“I won’t go,” Monster stated, nodding mutinously as he crossed his arms, and Dom looked at me in amusement.
I considered my options. The cookies I could use to bribe him with were in the kitchen and if I went to get them it would look suspicious, plus I didn’t want to watch my Dad make doe eyes at Wren.
“You like wrestling, kid?” Trent asked, poking his head in the window. “Cause that’s what I’m doing tonight.”
“I’m not supposed to watch violent shows,” Monster said, glancing between me and Trent.
“I wouldn’t call WWE violent,” Trent joked, twisting around so his elbows were propped on the windowsill. “I also have cookies.”
“Sold,” Monster crowed happily. “Let’s go.” He pointed at me. “And you owe me.”
“Yeah, yeah, go and keep your mouth shut about it.”
Trent lifted him through the window and glanced at us. “Two hours, you two. Otherwise, people might start talking.” He winked and I shut the window in his face.
“I had no idea you wanted to get me alone so badly.” Dom grinned as he slid his arms around my waist. “All you had to do was ask.”
I smacked his chest and winced at the immediate stinging sensation. “Ugh, it’s like hitting concrete.”
“Steel.”
“You have not an ounce of humility, do you?”
“Nope.”
“How’s Caleb?” I asked, totally changing the subject and possibly giving him whiplash if his look was any indication.
“Should I be worried that you’re asking me about my competition when we’re finally alone together?” He fell back on the bed, taking me with him as I sprawled on top of him.
“Only if he was competition,” I countered, placing a quick peck on the mark directly over his heart. He tensed at the action before rolling over and pinning my hands over my head.
“Living dangerously, are we?”
“It’s the only way I live,” I retorted, not the least bit nervous at being at his mercy. He nuzzled my neck, followed by kisses along my jaw before hovering over my mouth.
“I love you,” he whispered, pulling back as I stared at him in shock. He leaned back on his heels, keeping his weight off me. “I do. Love you. I’ve wanted to tell you for a while.” He glanced down at his hands, rubbing them together. Nervously, I realized in shock. Dom was nervous. “I didn’t want to say it over the bond. But to you. Face to face.”