Hooking Him (How to Catch an Alpha #3)(11)

With the sun starting to set and the outside lights glowing, I grab another drink and walk through the grass to find an empty table under one of the huge trees in the backyard and set down my drink and plate before I take a seat. I smile at a couple as they walk by, not catching even a hint of fakeness when they smile back. Unlike whenever I attended my parents’ parties, I don’t feel out of place or like I’m pretending to be someone I’m not. Surrounded by these people, I get to be myself—Anna, a woman who is new to town and works at a bakery—and it feels good to be accepted for me, not because someone is attempting to befriend me so they can get in my parents’ good graces.

I take a sip of my drink, then pick up the fresh hamburger that Drake insisted on making me and take a huge unladylike bite. I then look over my shoulder when I hear the grass crunching behind me.

“Are you having a good time?” Todd asks as he takes a seat next to me, and I pick up my napkin and cover my mouth as I chew and swallow.

“Sorry, yes, it’s been fun. There’s a lot of people here.” I grab my wine cooler and take another sip, conscious of the fact that I have to drive home tonight.

“I know Mom is a little overwhelming, but you’ll get used to it.” I raise a brow, not sure what he means by saying I’ll get used to it. “Mom has a sense. She’s always adopting new people, which is why there are so many people here.” I look around, stopping on Elsie, who is standing next to her husband and smiling at whatever he’s saying as he talks to a group of people sitting a few feet away. “They legally adopted Calvin and me, but they foster kids whenever one needs a place to stay, and Mom is always bringing new people into the fold.”

I swallow, not sure why my throat suddenly feels so tight. “Your mom is amazing.”

“Yeah,” he agrees softly, looking across the yard toward his parents. “They both are. Plus, you won’t find a better man than Calvin.” He gets up, taking his beer with him. “It was nice meeting you, Anna. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

I start to open my mouth to call him back so I can tell him that his brother and I aren’t even friends and that I’m not sure I’ll be at another one of his parents’ barbecues, but the hairs on my nape stand on end, and Bane, who hasn’t left my side, gets up and starts to wag his tail. Knowing even without looking who’s just arrived, I attempt to get my nerves to settle and my stomach to stop dancing, but it’s impossible.

“Good boy,” I hear rumbled, and I look over my shoulder just in time to watch Calvin squat down to greet his dog with an affectionate rubdown. “I missed you too.” He scratches the top of Bane’s head, then lifts his eyes, locking them with mine.

Staring into their blue abyss, I feel transfixed. It’s odd to have such a strong pull to someone I don’t know, but I feel drawn to Calvin in a way I have never felt with a man before, and that totally freaks me out.

“Anna.”

“Calvin.” He stands, and Bane circles his feet as he walks toward me.

“You look beautiful.” His hand comes to rest on my shoulder, but it’s not his touch that catches me off guard or even his words; it’s the way he’s looking at me. The way his eyes have warmed and filled with a look that makes me feel desired, a look that makes me feel like I’d be safe with him. “I was surprised when my mom told me you were here.”

“Were you really?” I ask as he takes a seat across from me. Having experienced the whirlwind of meeting his mom and spending the evening with her, I get the feeling she tends to run over people to get what she wants—although not in a bad way.

He looks toward his parents and smiles, slightly shaking his head. “Maybe not. I should have known she’d go after you herself after she told me where you worked,” he says, picking up my wine cooler and taking a large gulp.

“Please, help yourself,” I say sarcastically, eyeing my drink in his hand.

“Don’t mind if I do.” He lifts it to his lips once more.

I roll my eyes at him, then pick up my burger and take another bite. As I chew, I look down at my lap, then place my hand on Bane’s head as he rests it on my thighs, looking up at my hamburger and me.

“Don’t give me that look,” I tell him, and he lifts his head, placing his snout closer to my hand.

“Bane, don’t beg,” Calvin orders, and Bane eyes him, then looks at me.

“Sorry, pup, but you can’t have any,” I whisper, and he lets out a loud huff, then falls to the ground, sprawling his legs out before him and dropping his head to his paws.

“Did you have a good day at work?” He leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees. A move that doesn’t just bring him closer but also envelops the air around me with his warm, masculine scent.

I look away from him, feeling my cheeks heat up, and clear my throat. “It was good.”

“Do you work tomorrow?”

“Why?”

His lips tip up slightly. “Just making conversation.”

“Then no, I don’t work tomorrow,” I reply, and he opens his mouth like he’s about to say something more, but just then his phone rings.

He leans back and pulls his cell from the front pocket of his jeans. His expression fills with frustration when he looks at the screen. “Sorry, I need to take this.”