Tasting 288

288–The Sad Friendly Date

Nora:

After she told us he was coming, she left the room. Brody asked me to get ready for dinner, and I

did. I felt so happy and energetic all of a sudden

It was like being in a place full of strangers, and then your family, lover, or friend shows up out of

nowhere. I know Brody wasn’t a stranger, but his people didn’t like me, so I had felt very lonely the

entire day. I tried to communicate with the omega maids, but they didn‘ t bother with me either.

It was heartbreaking to be ignored as if I didn’t even exist.

I walked out of my room in a black dress, with my hair curled and makeup done. The news had

really helped me feel better.

“Wow! You look amazing. The creatures from the mountains better not find out such a beauty exists

in my pack,” Brody extended his hand. toward me, and I accepted it, laughing at his compliments.

“I know, I know, we’re just friends and all, but I can still compliment you. Or I can say that I have a

crush on my friend,” he shrugged, reminding me that even though we were just friends, it didn’t

change the fact that he liked me too.

“Thank you for being the best friend ever,” I cheered, walking downstairs with him.

The girls were sitting at the dining table, watching us interact. Brody

248 The Sad Friendly Date

quickly moved to the side where they were and blocked their view.

I appreciated how considerate he was.

Once we sat down in his car and hit the road, Brody started adjusting the rearview mirror.

“You seem happy tonight,” he remarked, and I nodded.

“I don’t know why, but I really am happy,” I turned to him, watching him smile.

“You have no idea how worried I was for you. I couldn’t stop thinking of ways to cheer you up,” his

voice carried a hint of sadness.

“Is it because your stepbrother is coming over?” Then he hit me with that question. My smile

vanished quickly, so he added, “I don’t mean to upset you with my question, but that’s what I

thought, and it really bothered me.

Now I watched him focus on the road, no longer smiling.

“It’s just that they’re not your blood relatives, Nora. They treated you so badly. Why not just stop

worrying about them?” I knew he wasn’t wrong. They had treated me poorly in the end, but I felt like

the main culprits were the girls who were just lounging around and not being. held accountable.

“I understand. You’re right,” now that he reminded me, I felt the same

sadness from before.

“Look, Silas is coming over in the morning, and I’ve been asked to leave the pack for a very

important meeting outside. I’m so restless thinking he’ll be in my pack while I’m gone,” I could see

the stress on

his face.

238–The Bad Friendly Date

But I had nothing to say to him, so I just nodded and looked out the window. The happiness I once

felt had disappeared. He wasn’t wrong, though.

How could I forget how they kicked me out of their pack and their lives?

“I hope you’re not taking my words the wrong way. Also, may I ask you something?” I had a feeling

he would ask me about the brothers again.

With a heavy heart, I nodded.

“Did you ask him to come over?” His question left me puzzled. Why would he think I did that?

Sure, I texted them, but not to come here. My plan was for them to ask me to come back.

“No! I didn’t,” I quickly responded, shaking my head.

“Not even the others?” he inquired, and I shook my head until I recalled the conversation I had with

them.

“I did message them, but I wasn’t asking them to come here,” I tried reassuring him that I didn’t

invite them, knowing how much Brody dislikes having them around.

“But I guess you texting them kind of made them decide to come,” he nodded, and once again, I

had nothing left to say.

“Oh goddess, I’m a horrible person. I wiped the smile off your face. I’m so sorry. Let’s not talk about

them again and just focus on the night,” he gave me a smile, and I returned it, but deep down, I was

sad again.