Page 141 of Hot Girls Date Shifters

Then at the spotless espresso machine.

Then back at me.

He smiles.

“My mate already answered you.”

Mate.

Stephanie's smile falters.

“Mate?”

Graham nods casually.

“My mate.”

His arm tightens around my waist. And he offers an apologetic shrug that somehow isn't apologetic at all.

“Like Elsie said, we don't serve coffee after hours.”

He points toward the window.

“But the diner down the street might be able to help you.”

Silence.

Three stunned faces stare at us.

“Now...”

He looks down at me with those beautiful forest-green eyes that stole my heart the moment we met.

“If you'll excuse us...”

He grins.

“My mate and I have a date.”

Stephanie actually gasps.

Her friends exchange wide-eyed looks.

One whispers, “Mate?”

Another mutters, “Did he just...”

I don't hear the rest.

Because Graham is already leading me toward the back door with his arm around my waist.

“They're staring,” I whisper.

“I know.”

“You embarrassed them.”

“I wasn't trying to.”