CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“A free lunch,” Grayson said thoughtfully. He snapped his fingers and smirked. “Right. A free lunch it is then.”
With that, Grayson climbed into the passenger seat of her car and buckled himself in.
“What...what are you doing?” Hayley demanded, yanking the car door open.
“Getting a free lunch,” Grayson said and jerked his thumb at the driver's seat. “Get in and drive. I'm hungry.”
“What?”
“I'm getting a free lunch. I fix your car. You buy me lunch,” Grayson replied simply.
“I...you...”
“Let's go. I know a great little coffee shop just two streets from here,” Grayson said enthusiastically and tooted her horn.
Hayley sputtered and turned around. The rest of the crew immediately pretended that they hadn't been watching and eavesdropping, but she heard some muffled chuckles.
As Hayley flounced to the driver's side and got in, she heard Nadia tell the guys smugly, “And—that's how you get a girl to go out with you. Is our Alpha a smooth operator, or what?”
Hayley turned and saw Grayson making a face at Nadia, Suz and the rest of the guys. Everyone was laughing and giving Grayson the thumbs up.
Hayley blushed and hid a smile as she started the engine. Her engine purred contentedly, and she didn't hear the usual clicking and spluttering sounds from under the hood. “Wow,” she breathed.
Grayson turned away from the window and hurriedly wiped the gleeful, triumphant grin from his face. Hayley smiled and said, “You have a great crew. They're all Sentinel wolves, right?”
Grayson nodded and mock-grumbled, “They're pack, and they have big, blabber mouths.”
Hayley laughed and put her car into gear. Two of the guys came out and waved their flashlights in a very serious, professional manner. They pretended they were guiding an aircraft out onto the runway and they saluted smartly as she pulled away. Hayley grinned and waved at them as she drove off.
“That's Riker and Rock,” Grayson said, glancing at her. “Don't mind them. They're always...”
“I like them.”
Grayson smiled and his eyes lit up with pride and happiness. It was just three simple words, but Hayley saw that they meant a lot to Grayson. The Sentinels was a close-knit, united pack and the bond between the members was deep and strong. Grayson was very proud and protective of his wolves, and he had been worried that Hayley wouldn't be comfortable around them.
She realized then that she was important to Grayson. Her feelings, her likes, her safety and well-being were important to him.
“Grayson,” Hayley said as she drove slowly down the street. “I owe you an apology. Last night...”
“Make a left turn here,” Grayson said. He looked at her and said, “You have nothing to apologize for, Hayley.”
“No. I was too hasty, too judgmental. I thought you were trying to drive me away when you said I would be safer away from Wolves Hollow. I thought you had something to gain from my departure.” She swallowed and continued, “I shouldn't have thought badly of you. I...I shouldn't think that you're like my ex-husband. That was wrong, very wrong of me.”
“It's good to be careful,” Grayson said with a straight face. “You shouldn't trust strangers. Especially strangers who come knocking on your door in the middle of the night.” She couldn't tell if he was joking or not.
Grayson pointed straight ahead. “There. Stop in front of that crowded coffee shop. That's where I'm getting my free lunch.” He winked at her.
Hayley parked the car and got out. Grayson took her hand in his and led her towards the coffee shop that was already overflowing with diners.
“Alpha.” The wait staff greeted him as he walked in. A well-mannered waiter led them efficiently through the crowd towards the back. “This booth is a little small and it's near the kitchen...” he began apologetically.
“It's fine, Walter. Thanks,” Grayson said. “So...what would you like?” Grayson asked, leaning forward.
“What do you recommend?” Hayley said with a shrewd smile. “This coffee shop belongs to the Sentinels, right?”
Grayson chuckled delightedly. “Yes. I see Ari has been telling you about the pack.”
“Yes. She said you guys have a bakery too...”
“It's at the end of the street. We can take a stroll there after lunch.” Grayson handed her the menu. “Order anything you want, Hayley. I did say it's a free lunch.”
“No. It's a free lunch for you. I am buying you lunch, and I insist on paying. If you don't let me pay, I'm walking out,” she said firmly.
Grayson grinned. “You know, I've never had a lady pay on the first date before.”
“This is not a date!”
“It is a lunch date,” he said. “So...now that we're dating, we're not strangers any more. You can trust me.”
Hayley gaped at him. She was at a complete loss for words. She let out a laugh and shook her head. “We are not dating.”
He ignored her and signaled one of the wait staff. “We're ready to order now. My date's hungry!”