Moon Kissed (Mirror Lake Wolves - Book One)

CHAPTER TWO

I pulled into the parking lot of Rosemary's later than I would have liked. Somehow, I'd hit every red light between the diner and my place. I hoped Alec was still here. I scanned the lot, searching for a parking spot and noticed his red truck near the back. Relief flooded my system.

A warm breeze kicked up as I slipped out of my car. It ruffled the fine hairs framing my face as I made my way to the double doors of Rosemary's. Charbroiled burgers and grease hung heavily in the air. My stomach growled as I continued to walk, reminding me I'd forgotten to eat dinner.

Laughter and meaningless chatter drummed from inside the building as a group of guys I recognized from school made their way out the door. The short one in the middle smiled at me as his eyes appraised my body. While I wasn't as self-conscious as most girls, it did make me wonder if I'd tried too hard tonight when deciding on an outfit. My skinny jeans were tight, but not painted on. However, I didn't think my jeans had garnered his attention. I was sure it was the turquoise tank top, which dipped low in the front revealing my cleavage, that had him staring.

Maybe it would work in my favor and make Alec forget how much I'd screwed up our night.

The moment I stepped inside, my senses were assaulted. Burgers sizzled on the grill, people chatted too loudly from booths and tables, silverware clinked against plates and bowls as people ate, and a couple at a booth just inside the doors argued. I pulled in a deep breath and glanced around for Alec. It didn't take me long to spot him. He was at the counter, chatting with the girl working behind it. I recognized her face, but I couldn't think of her name. Tiny pinpricks of jealousy slipped through me at the sight of them together. Whatever she'd said made him laugh, and my jealousy bloomed as his head tipped back, revealing his pearly whites.

God, he was beautiful.

His light brown hair glistened in the fluorescent lights, and his tanned skin looked kissable. He wore a pair of blue jeans like always, a plain T-shirt, and a pair of scuffed-up hunting boots.

I stepped closer, watching and waiting to see if he'd feel my presence or maybe my eyes on him. Everyone else always seemed to. I chalked it up to having something to do with the special genes that floated through my DNA. Sometimes it made people leery of the others and me.

Alec noticed me when I was about three feet away from him, but only because the girl he'd been talking to had noticed me first. He was curious to see what had garnered her attention so suddenly. She was observant; I'd give her that. I searched my mind again for her name, but couldn't remember it still. I'd seen her with Alec before. She'd been chummy with him then too. Maybe I'd seen them together at school. There was a possibility I'd watched them exit church together also.

Either way, they were comfortable with one another.

This realization irked me. It had me skimming my gaze over her, soaking in every inch. She was the exact opposite of me. Where I was short, she was tall. Where I had a modestly sized chest, she had melons the size of my head. My hair was brown and hers was blond. My eyes were hazel and hers were bright blue.

I zeroed in on the bronze name tag fastened to the pocket above her left breast. Lilly. The name clicked with her face. She was one of the Pendergrasses. They were a well-known family in Mirror Lake. Not because they had the most money, but because they owned the largest farm. A dairy farm. According to Gran, it had been in their family for generations.

"Hey, there you are." Alec smiled when I stepped to his side. "I thought you'd forgotten about me again."

"No, and I didn't forget about you the first time. I just got tied up with something."

"Well, I'm glad you're here now. I saved you a seat." He patted the stool beside him. "Did you want to grab something to eat? Fries or maybe a milkshake?"