Strings of Fate

85- Dance and display

I elbow Bellamy in excitement and he takes my hand to keep me from bouncing in place. Megan stares at Darrien a minute longer before giving a very slow nod. The grin that crosses Darrien’s face is gorgeous and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen him so happy. He places his own order and pays for the food. While he does this Megan turns to me, her eyes wild and her face flushed. She looks beyond nervous and her furrowed eyebrows ask a clear question. ‘Did I do the right thing?” I give her a reassuring smile and nod. Her tense shoulders relax a little. Then, ever so slowly, she turns towards Bellamy to see his reaction. He has a serious case of poker face going. I squeeze his hand meaningfully. He glances sideways at me then back to his sister before lifting one shoulder in a half shrug and cracking a hint of a smile. Megan relaxes further and I realise she must have been barely breathing because she suddenly draws. in a loud and deep breath and lets it out with a slight shake. She looks a little lost. I step away from Bellamy and give her a quick hug before we make our way back to our seats.

The wait for our food is awkward. Bellamy and I chat a little and Darrien attempts to join in, but Megan is barely even listening. She is clearly thinking hard and her eyes keep moving to

Darrien. She stares at him for a minute or two, then jolts and turns away, only to find herself watching him again a minute later. Darrien, for the most part, is doing a solid job of

pretending that nothing is amiss. He is staying casual and not watching her too much, aside from the occasional glance sideways. I’m pretty impressed at how calm he’s staying. Megan basically just gave him permission to try and win her over. They’re not dating or anything yet, but he’s put himself out there and she didn’t reject him. Several very long and awkward, but entertaining minutes later, our food arrives. I am actually starving and I am so busy staring down the waitress and trying to remember my manners so that I don’t snatch the food from

her like a poorly trained puppy, that I don’t notice Bellamy is on the phone until he drops it on the table, groans loudly and drops his head into my shoulder, nearly pushing me off the seat as I was not prepared for the extra weight.

“Is something wrong?” Bellamy nods in my hair then sits.

up and sighs.

“The other Alphas have decided to bring our meeting forward. It was meant to be tomorrow, but apparently they want to do it today.” Bellamy looks incredibly frustrated. I frown.

“When?”

will take

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85- Dance and display

looks longingly at his steak that was just placed on the table in front of him while he

you’re hosting, shouldn’t you get to decide when they

heaves another deep sigh.

battles between the Alphas, we agreed to run decisions by vote, and I was out–voted. I really need to get going.” Bellamy turns to

I can call Aaron, but as he was meant to have the day off he isn’t nearby. It might take a while.” He glances back

“Are you

our place after lunch?” he

T

him again in an hour or so when he’s finished with his meeting. Megan and Darrien must be almost as hungry as me because we all sit and shovel food into our mouths in silence for al few minutes. Once I feel that I have eaten enough that I can talk to my friends without wanting to murder anyone, I decide it’s time to ask about their weird behaviour when ordering. I

we were ordering you backed off and sorta made Bellamy and I order first and

that I am apparently not socially competent enough to figure out on my own?” I question. Megan is halfway through a mouthful of her drink and half snorts it out, covering her mouth with her hand as much as she can. Darrien hands her a napkin which she uses to clean herself up while I work to keep a straight face. I fail completely, but it’s the thought that counts, right? Megan is still choking

stepped back out of respect.”

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unconsciously places a hand on Darrien’s arm to stop him from continuing. She clearly has no clue that she’s doing it but he definitely does if I’m judging his expression