Charlotte Sanguinite POV:
I didn't choose a restaurant per se.
It's an open-air BBQ eatery near the edge of the woods. The place is decked out with bright fairy lights, mismatched but comfortable, colorful chairs, and several barbecue pits around which the chairs are gathered.
"What is this place?" Robert looked delighted.
"It's a DIY barbecue spot," I tell him, enjoying the stunned look on his face. I found it online. We buy the marinated meat from over there."
I point to a long stall that has stacks and stacks of iceboxes.
"They have all kinds of meat, and then we barbecue it ourselves. Everything is self-serving except for drinks. A couple of college students started this venture, and it's slowly taking off. The reviews are very good."
I walked over to the long stall that had the iceboxes. "It's no three-star restaurant, but this seemed more interesting."
Robert tucks his hands in his pockets and looks around, intrigued. "It is. I love a good barbecue."
The marinated meat area really does have everything, from seafood to chicken to lamb and beef cuts. Robert and I select quite a few items, and when I see him reaching for his wallet, I instinctively slap his hand away. His eyes widen, and I snap, "Not so fast. I know what you're doing. I'm paying."
He puts on a rueful expression. "It doesn't seem right to let a lady pay."
"Oh, and it's okay to scam me into dinner dates, then?" I raised a brow at him, not at all buying his little act.
"Fine." The Alpha raises his hands, palms out, in defeat. "You can pay. But I pay for the alcohol. What will you have?"
"I don't think we should dri—"
The man behind the counter was already handing Robert a laminated menu. "Somebody will be right with you to start up your pit, and they'll bring you your food."
"I really don't think I should be drinking, Rob—"
However, my concerns are ignored as Robert nudges me over to one of the pits. He doesn't really listen to me as one of the servers starts pointing things out on the menu. "We have these beers on tap and several different kinds of cocktails."
I don't usually drink alcohol. I tend to get drunk easily. The last time I drank, it was at a bar, and I passed out after three or four beers.
"I'll have a Long Island iced tea," I say quickly, peeking at the menu and knowing if I don't speak up, Robert will saddle me with something that is bound to knock my socks off.
Robert gives me a strange look. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," I nodded firmly. "I'm not going to have any alcohol." Tea works for me."
"But a Long Island is—"
"Just order what you want," I interrupted him. "I've already decided."
He presses his lips together as if to suppress a smile and points to something on the menu. "I'll have one of these beers."
"Should I bring you your drinks now?" the server asks politely.
Robert glances at me quizzically, and I nod.
Once the server leaves, Robert leans back in his chair, grinning. "So, I take it you've never worked in a bar before."
"What kind of question is that?"
He shrugs, snickering to himself. "I also bet you don't have a habit of going out to bars."
I shot him a suspicious look. "What are you getting at?"
"Absolutely nothing," he chuckles. "But I'm right, aren't I?"
"I've been too busy working. Besides, getting drunk can be quite dangerous. And I'm not fond of alcohol in general."
"I see. But you like iced tea?"
The way he seems to be holding in his laughter makes me want to hit him over the head with something. "What is so funny?!"
"Nothing!" he insists.
"Liar."
"They're coming to set up our pit," he points out, sufficiently distracting me. Two young men arrive and light up the coal that is already in the pit. They teach us how to keep the coal burning, and then one of them brings over our meat. I'm quite excited by this whole barbecue process.
"I've never been to an actual barbecue." I smile broadly, unable to contain myself. I've seen so many videos. "This looks like a lot of fun." I catch Robert glancing at me, and I ask, "What?"
He smiles—a little softly, it seems to me. Holding out the tongs, he says, "Want to kick-start this?"
Excited like a child on Christmas, I put the first sausages and meat kebabs on the grill. There isn't a very large surface area, so I can only fit two skewers and a couple of sausages. The drinks arrive in the meantime, and as I take my first sip, my toes curl.
"This is good!" I beamed down at the tall glass. It's both tangy and sweet, and it has a kick to it.
I take another sip, and Robert puts a cautioning hand on mine. "Easy."
"Why?" I blinked. "It's just iced tea."
He struggles to say something and then manages, "It would be better to have it with the food, don't you think?"
I gave him a confused look. Why is he acting like this?
"I can always order another one," I say slowly. "Besides, I haven't eaten anything since this morning, so I'm starved."
His face grows red, and he mutters, "Don't say I didn't warn you."
"You can be so weird," I grumble, sipping my tea.
I turn the kebabs over, and Robert deals with the sausages. The smell is tantalizing, and when we bite into the meat, my mouth waters.
Some of the marinated pieces are quite spicy, and I'm well into my third glass of tea. I feel light-headed and happy.
"I'm so glad you didn't kick me out of Portland," I say cheerfully, watching a chicken thigh sizzle away on the grill. "Can you imagine me working on a farm?" I burst into laughter. Overall! I'd have to wear overalls and a straw hat!"
Robert grins. "That makes for a cute picture."
"It makes for a ridiculous picture!" I smacked my hand against his arm, chortling. "Overalls make me look fat." I wore them once. My sister's. I was twelve, I think. I hit puberty early, you know. Clyde cut all my clothes with scissors. And my father slapped me when I complained."
The memory doesn't hurt anymore. It's almost as if it happened to somebody else.
"There was an event, a wedding or something, I guess. I had nothing to wear, so I stole my sister's overalls. She was really young then, so they were a tight fit. A very tight fit."
My smile fades as the memory of being taunted returns to me.
"They were cruel," I whispered, my laughter long gone. "And—And Clyde and that friend of his, Droga, cornered me and cut the straps."
I lowered my head, feeling dazed and upset. Why did I think this was a memory worth remembering?
My father had beaten me for embarrassing him, after the boys had had a go at me with their fists during the event.
"Never mind," I mumble. "I don't want to talk about it."
Robert places a kebab on my plate, his voice careful. "I think you would look absolutely gorgeous wearing overalls. But the straw hat could be hit or miss. Send me a picture when you do. We'll have to decide on the spot."
His words make my lips curve, some of the darkness abating. "I could pull off a straw hat."
"We'll have to see." He gives me a doubtful look, but I see the laughter in his eyes.
He's trying to distract me, and it's sweet.
"It's a real shame that you're a wolf shifter," I sigh, draining my glass.
The server, who is passing by, picks it up and asks with a grin, "Another?"
Robert and I exclaim "No" and "Yes" at the same time.
"Don't listen to him." I bat my eyes at the server, who keeps grinning. "I'll take another one. He's paying for it. Cheapskate."
"You really shouldn't," Robert begins, and I roll my eyes at him, feeling woozy and enjoying it.
"Jazz said—" I pointed my finger at him. "She said I have to loosen up. "See?" I spread my arms. "I'm loose!"
Robert reaches out and lowers my hands down to my side, a helpless look on his face. "This is my fault." I really didn't think you'd go past one drink."
"It's perfect tea," I beam, leaning toward him. "You should try it."
"It won't work on me." Robert's face is inches from mine, and there is a strange emotion glittering in his eyes as he gazes at me. "Human alcohol doesn't impair my senses. And it shouldn't have an effect on you, either."
"Alcohol?" I smiled. "Who has alcohol? We're having tea!"
"You're completely drunk, little vampire." Robert's voice is low. The way he's looking at me has my stomach tightening.
"You have the prettiest eyes," I suddenly declare. And the most handsome smile. "When you smile," I burrow my finger into his chest, "I want to kiss you."
His eyes widened in response. "What?"
His reaction makes me want to try. There is no voice inside me cautioning me to stop, to think about what I'm doing. I just want what I want.
And I really want to kiss this wolf, Alpha, whose smile devastates me every time I see it.
Putting my hands on his thighs, I lift myself up till my face is a little higher than his.
"Charlotte."
The husky sound of my name from Robert's mouth makes my abdomen contract in need. He doesn't push me away; his eyes burn into mine. His hands come to settle on my upper arms, and when his fingers dig into my skin, I smirk.
Without hesitation, I pressed my mouth down against his.