Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ryley

There was no way I could leave the dirty dishes on the table. Jeremy was nice enough to cook us lunch and I knew Blake wouldn’t let me pay, so I’ll clean up the few dishes we used. I’m also one of those crazy people who enjoy washing dishes. And by the time both men came out of Jeremy’s office, I had cleaned up all our dishes and wiped down the surfaces. I also washed all the pots and pans.

“Ryley, thank you, but you didn’t have to,” Jeremy exclaimed.

“You cooked, and I know Blake would never let me pay, so I cleaned. It’s the least I could do. Everything was perfect.” I told him, smiling.

Jeremy gave Blake a smirk. They seemed to be having a private conversation. I watched as Blake went through a few facial expressions.

“Everything okay?” I asked, pulling their attention. Blake cleared his throat.

“Yes, but we should get going,” he said. I turned to the sink and quickly washed my hands. After I walked across the kitchen to where they were standing.

“It was nice to meet you,” I smiled, looking at Jeremy.

“You too, Ryley. Don’t be a stranger. And don’t put up with this guy’s cr*p,” he chuckled, punching Blake in the arm.

“Not with steak like that I won’t. And don’t worry about me. I know I

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Chapter Twenty Three

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could take him,” I giggled.

“You two have fun,” he called out as Blake led me out of the kitchen and through the dining room.

We were finally on our way to the grocery store. But all I wanted to do was take a nap. The lack of sleep has finally caught up with me. Blake parked and I covered up my yawn.

“Let’s get this done,” I mumbled, climbing out of the vehicle, with my list in hand.

“Can you grab a cart?” I asked Blake as we walked across the parking lot to the store.

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“And where would those be?” He asked, looking around.

The

“Hold the list and I’ll get the cart. Meet me in the produces section. We will start there.” I told him. carts were in the section of the store after the first doors but before you enter the store. I grabbed a cart and walked into the store to find Blake waiting for me. He was not in the produce section. I was glad he was so tall, I could spot him from anywhere.

“I couldn’t find it, he shrugged, walking beside me as I pushed the cart.

“Have you never been in this store? I asked him as we made our way over to the fresh fruits. This was the closest grocery store to the pack house.

“Uh, no,” he confessed. I stopped in front of a section with different kinds of berries.

“But you have been grocery shopping before? I was looking over the containers before placing the ones I wanted in the cart. I looked up to find Blake in thought, his lips pressed together.

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Chapter Twenty-Thie

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“You haven’t, have you?” I gave him a pointed look.

“No, but in my defense, I never had to,” he rushed out.

“I get it. I was seventeen when I first stepped foot into a grocery store. It’s no big deal. Even though I find the thought of this being your first time hilarious. Like I popped your cherry,” I chuckled.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” He sighed.

“So much. I would ask you to find the snacks, but I’m afraid I’d lose you,” I teased.

“Funny,” he grumbled.

“Alright Mr. Alpha Grumpy, push the cart and hand me the list. And try not to get lost. I may have to get you a bell.” The look on Blake’s face had me pushing my lips together. I had tears in my eyes as I fought the urge to laugh.

“A bell? I’m a grown-a*s man,” he scoffed and I lost it. I had to hold on to the side of the cart, I was laughing so hard. Thank g*d, I wasn’t wearing any mascara. Even Lily was laughing in my head.

“Are you done?” Blake huffed when I was finally calming down,

wiping my eyes.

“No, but we need to get going,” I chuckled.

He was grumbling the entire trip around the store. I was about to call him a pouting princess.

After everything on the list and more was in the cart, we went to the checkout. It was then I noticed people were staring at us. I was lost in my time with Blake I didn’t notice anyone else. And then I started to hear the whispers.

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Chapter Tweeny Three

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‘Why is she with the alpha? She’s a lone wolf.’

Probably trying to sleep her way into a pack.’

‘She’s so plain, he could do better.’

Their words hurt and they probably didn’t think I could hear as well as an alpha. My heart sank as their words pierced me. Usually, I wouldn’t care. I didn’t care about the b*tch in the dining room. Even though I can smell her on Blake. Not that it’s any of my business. But it still bothers me.

‘Just spending the alpha’s hard-earned money, gold digger.’

I gritted my teeth at that one. I pulled out my card and tapped it after the cashier gave us the total. Blake was loading the bags into the cart

and I beat him to it.

“Ryley?” Blake questioned, raising an eyebrow. I took the receipt from the cashier and thanked her.

“This weekend is my treat.”

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