Chapter 5
973 Words
Arianna
After my shift at the hospital, all I wanted was to go home, pour myself a generous glass of Pinot, and sink into a hot bubble bath. That was my sanctuary—warm water, scented bubbles, and the silence that made me forget, at least for a little while, the constant pressure of hiding who I really was.
But the universe rarely lets me have that peace.
As soon as I stepped into my apartment, my phone rang. I didn’t even need to check the screen. Jenna. That girl had an uncanny radar for knowing the exact moment I walked through my front door.
“Hey,” she chirped the second I answered.
“Hey,” I said, already bracing myself.
“What are you doing?” she asked, her tone far too cheerful to be innocent.
“I was about to pour some wine and run a bubble bath. Why?” I asked.
“Want to meet me at the diner? We could grab something to eat.”
I narrowed my eyes at nothing. She definitely had an angle. “Why the diner? Do they have something special going on?”
“It’s Meatloaf Monday,” Jenna said like it was the event of the year.
“Meatloaf Monday?” I repeated, deadpan. “That’s what’s pulling you across town? Meatloaf?”
“It’s meat,” she countered, as if that explained everything.
I sighed. “Jenna…”
“Fine,” she admitted, “last night Easton kind of brushed me off, and I know he eats there on Mondays.”
I dropped onto my couch. “You realize that’s borderline stalker behavior, right?”
“Yeah, I know. But I can’t help it, Ari. There’s something about him. I’ve tried to get over it, but it’s… impossible.”
Her voice softened, and I could feel her frustration.
“You’ll forget about him once you meet your mate,” I told her, trying to sound reassuring.
“It’s been two years since I came of age. If my mate was out there, I think I’d know by now. And Easton… he’s older, he’s mateless too. It could work.”
There was no talking her out of this. And, truthfully, I was hungry. The wine and bath could wait.
“Fine,” I sighed. “I’ll meet you there. Give me half an hour.”
“Perfect!” she squealed.
I hung up and headed for my bedroom, glaring at my closet. If only I had the ability to summon clothes with a snap of my fingers—unfortunately, shapeshifters only got the perk of changing our whole bodies, not our wardrobes.
I pulled out a simple sundress. No point dressing up for this ambush dinner. I slipped it on, added flip-flops, grabbed my purse, and left.
The moment I stepped into the diner parking lot, that scent hit me again—salt and ocean breeze. I froze, closing my eyes. Why did it follow me everywhere? Was it a warning? A sign? Whatever it was, I couldn’t shake the feeling it meant something.
I pushed through the diner doors and scanned the room. No Jenna yet. But a booth of men caught my eye, heads bent together in conversation. One of them had to be Easton.
Sliding into a booth of my own, I accepted a menu from the waitress. “Thanks. I’m waiting on someone, so can you leave another?”
“Of course, hon.” She smiled and moved off.
I flipped the menu open. Meatloaf Monday was real, apparently.
Jenna came bouncing in minutes later, sliding into the booth opposite me. “Sorry! Lipstick crisis.”
I lowered the menu. “A lipstick crisis?”
“Couldn’t find the right nude shade,” she said earnestly.
“Yeah. Sounds life-threatening,” I replied dryly.
She ignored me, glancing toward the other booth. Then she grinned. “He’s here.”
I followed her gaze. Four men, still in conversation, only the tops of their heads visible.
“Which one is he?” I asked.
“By the window, facing away from us.”
I squinted. “So I came all the way here for the back of some guy’s head? Okay, fine. He does have nice hair.”
Jenna stifled a laugh. “Wait until you see his face. You’ll understand.”
I rolled my eyes but admitted silently that his shoulders alone were… impressive.
The waitress came back, notepad ready.
“I’ll have the meatloaf special,” Jenna said, practically glowing.
I shook my head. “Steak and cheese hoagie. Extra crispy fries, please.”
“Good choice,” the waitress said, collecting the menus.
I was about to tease Jenna again when movement caught my eye. The man by the window was sliding out of the booth.
“Incoming,” I murmured.
Jenna straightened in her seat, fussing with her hair as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
I looked up—just as he turned.
And everything inside me stopped.
It was like being pulled under water. His presence wrapped around me, magnetic, inescapable. My chest tightened, breath catching in my throat.
“Ari? Are you okay?” Jenna’s voice sounded far away.
I blinked, trying to shake myself free, but my eyes found him again, and it was worse. He was walking toward us now, gaze locked on me as though he already knew something I didn’t.
The pull grew stronger, primal and electric. I had never experienced anything like it. My body wanted to move toward him, to reach for him, to close the space between us.
He stopped at our table, his eyes never leaving mine.
And then, finally, he spoke. His voice was deep, steady, and carried something that made my skin prickle.
“Who are you?”
- Writer
