Page 14 of Shifted Desire

I shudder. If that isn’t the mental image to clear out any attraction I have to Nathan, then I don’t know what is.

Dinner goes about as well as expected.

Mona and Nathan get a formal introduction, and they hit it off right away. Maggie goes on a fifteen-minute rant about how she’s exhausted and having a break from the kids is such a relief. Which is fair, but I also know her husband is the one who takes care of their kids 95% of the time, so it’s a bit overblown. Claire waits until dessert to spill the beans about her pregnancy, at which point Mom and Dad turn into blubbering messes.

The weirdest part is that, despite checking with both my sisters to make sure I don’t stink, Nathan keeps acting like I’m ripping major farts whenever I’m close to him. Which unfortunately is most of the night since we’re seated next to each other.

About halfway through dinner, it dawns on me that maybe Nathan can somehow scent my lingering attraction to him. I’m not sure that’s even how werewolf noses work, but fuck me, that’s incredibly embarrassing if that’s the case. I’ve always assumed he was oblivious to my interest, so what’s changed?

The potential answer presents itself as Nathan is leaving. Everyone else has headed out, leaving me lingering awkwardly while he jokes and catches up with my parents. I’m hiding in the kitchen, doing dishes just to avoid any more of his displeased looks, but I can’t be rude and not say goodbye.

I mean, I can, and I really want to, but I’m trying not to be a total bitch all the time. It seems like the least I can do, what with my parents giving me free room and board while I sort my shit out.

“Thanks again for offering to give Sam a shot,” Dad says when I join them in the foyer as Nathan’s putting on his coat.

My stomach sinks. “Give me a shot with what?”

Dad startles, his cheeks flushing. “Oh, uh, well, we were talking about how things were going at work for Nathan and I mentioned that, uh, you were currently unemployed…”

Oh gods, he didn’t.

Please tell me my father didn’t convince Nathan to give me a job.

No wonder he’s acting weird!

“My assistant quit,” Nathan adds, which does nothing to help the flush of embarrassment rising on my cheeks.

“Damn, that sucks.” I pretend to be oblivious, hoping that they’ll see how awkward this is and drop the idea.

Mom, bless her, joins us right as Nathan opens his mouth to say something, holding a tupperware full of risotto.

Damn, I wanted those leftovers. Why does Nathan get them? He’s probably living in a penthouse suite and can order whatever the hell he wants every night for dinner. Or has a private chef. He doesn’t need Dad’s risotto like I do.

I fight to hide my scowl.

I will not act like a brat over food.

Even if the thought of having risotto as a midnight snack was what got me through a dinner where I had to smile and pretend not to be screaming on the inside about what my life has become.

I must not hide my displeasure well, because Nathan takes one look at me and shakes his head at Mom. “Oh no, please keep it. I’ll eat the whole thing in one night, and my nutritionist is already going to give me shit for how many carbs I’ve been eating.”

I hold in my scoff. Barely.

Nathan is ripped, especially for a guy his age. Other than the heavy bags under his eyes and the greyish pallor to his deep brown skin, he’s totally fine.

Unless those things are a sign he’s sick.

Shit, that would suck. Now I feel like an ass for judging him.

At least I can console myself with delicious risotto.

After exchanging hugs with my parents, Nathan inclines his head stiffly at me. “I’ll call you tomorrow about the job.”

Dammit, I thought we’d forgotten about that.

It takes everything in me to smile politely. “Alright.”

I guess we have to go through with the farce of him pretending to interview me to fulfill the obligation of politeness.