The Alpha in her Dreams

Second Chance Lunch

It was difficult to leave for work the next morning, knowing that Shepherd wouldn’t be there when she returned. He cooked breakfast before she left for work and they tried to enjoy their morning together, both wanting to pretend that they weren’t going to be apart the next couple of days. When they kissed, she could tell that Angus was trying to force his way through. It was endearing. She wanted to spend more time with Shepherd’s wolf, but Shepherd thought it was a bad idea until they were ready to complete the mating process.

Jim met Laurel as soon as she stepped foot into the office. “Davis, I hope you brought your running shoes. You’ve got a hell of a lot to catch up on!”

Seeing the stacks of papers littering her desk, she fought the urge to turn around and walk out. Slumping into her chair, she groaned. Why did I even come back? I could be with Shepherd right now, on my way to Silver Moon. She quickly ended her pity party and threw herself into her work, which distracted her from missing Shepherd. Before she knew it, her co-worker was sticking her head into Laurel’s office to remind her it was lunchtime. Laurel surveyed the still-cluttered desk. She considered working through lunch, but she was hungry, and a break would be good.

She was surprised to see Henry in the lobby when she stepped off the elevator. She’d been so busy that she hadn’t even had time to think of him. She dreaded finding out his reason for waiting on her. True, Mondays were their running lunch date, but they weren’t together anymore, and Laurel thought that he would’ve wanted to avoid any post break-up awkwardness as much as she did. She strongly considered turning around to get back into the elevator but knew that would be immature.

“Hey, Henry,” she said quietly, coming to a stop in front of him.

“Laurel,” he replied with a strained smile.

She waited a moment for him to explain why he was waiting for her, shooting glances around the room so that she wasn’t staring at him. He shuffled his feet a bit, which was very unlike him.

“Look, I let my emotions get the best of me the other night. You were right when you said we should go somewhere quiet to talk. Can we do that now?”

“I don’t know, Henry. I’m really not sure what else there is to say.”

He stared at her for a moment before continuing, “Please, Laurel. I have more to say. There are things that I want to make sure you know.”

“I don’t think this is a good idea. it won’t change anything,” she tried again.

“One more Monday lunch?”

He shot her a charming smile, which no longer did anything for her. On the other hand, after three years, Henry did deserve the chance for closure.

“Alright. As long as you know that it’s just lunch.”

“Just lunch. Got it.” Henry tried to sound upbeat, but she could tell he was unhappy with her response.

They went to one of their favorite spots, Henry leading the way to a corner booth. Once the server left to put their orders in, an uneasy silence settled over them. Laurel was determined that Henry should speak first since he’d requested this. Finally, when it was clear that Laurel would not speak, he started.

“I know I said in the car that there would be no getting back together after you realized breaking up was a mistake. But after I calmed down and thought about it, about us, I knew that wasn’t true. It was a s**t thing to say. The thing is, Laurel, that I thought I’d made it clear how much you mean to me by asking you to move in with me but I realized that I could’ve done more to let you know how I feel.”

He paused and Laurel didn’t know if she should stop him or if it would be better to let him finish. While she tried to make up her mind, he continued.

“I told you I loved you, but I didn’t tell you why. It’s not just that you’re beautiful and intelligent, which you are. There is a strength and a grace in you that I admire. I respect your strong work ethic and how loyal you are to your friends and family. I appreciate that while other girls are rushing around, spending a lot of time and money to make themselves look good, you are effortlessly confident.”

He took a hurried breath, as if he feared she would interrupt. “I know we’re different in a lot of ways. You’ve had to work hard, while my family basically set me up for the life I live. I love the city and the activity while you often go to the park and find a quiet place to relax. I don’t notice things around me, but you are always interested in everything. You may see this as a weakness in our relationship, that we aren’t well-suited for one another. But I think that we complement each other perfectly, Laurel.

“I’ve been thinking about all of this ever since the ride home that night. I was so jealous of the idea of you with Shepherd that I tried to push you into moving in with me instead of just talking to you about how I was feeling. If you’re not ready to move in, we don’t have to talk about that right now. I just want you, Laurel. Whatever way I can still have you in my life is what I want.”

Laurel’s chest was tight. Henry had surprised her. The things he said made her realize that he had noticed a lot more about her than she previously thought. If these things had been said before she met Shepherd, Laurel may have been swayed. A lot of her previous concern with Henry was that she didn’t believe he truly knew her.

But she had met Shepherd, and everything had changed. There was nothing Henry could say now that would change their situation. The raw emotion on his face made her heart ache. She didn’t like hurting him but there was no way around it. While they watched each other cautiously, the server set down their plates quickly and left. Neither of them touched their food.

“Eat, Laurel. It’s almost time to head back. Don’t say anything right now. I want you to think about what I’ve said, what I should’ve said a long time ago.”

“Henry, it won’t—” but he quickly interrupted her.

“Please, Laurel, don’t say anything just now. Just think for a day or two and then if you still feel the same way, I’ll leave you alone.” He reached across to grab her hand, but she instinctively pulled it back, which surprised Henry.

After lunch, they walked back to the office in silence. He tried again to grab her hand before the elevator arrived at her floor, but she pulled her arms into her chest. Laurel felt angry that Henry hadn’t let her respond and that he was dragging the situation out when there was no reason for it. She would not change her mind. She missed Shepherd more than ever.

Before the end of the workday, there was no doubt in her mind that she would be leaving with Shepherd when he returned. She didn’t like being apart from him. She knew that it was likely the mate bond, but the reason didn’t matter. Moon Goddess, mate bond, true love, whatever it was- she was Shepherd’s, and he was hers.