Wrenly POV
"Well, how did it go? Did Wren take good care of you, Decker?"
"Oh, she's great. I think I've seen every inch of this place."
" That's good. Now, Little Bird, grab your stuff. We're meeting Kristof for dinner."
"What!" Decker and I said together.
"Is there an issue?" My father said, eyebrows raised.
We both looked at each other. I could tell he had apprehension about it, but I had no idea why would have an issue having dinner with his father.
I took a deep breath and sighed. "Daddy, I have plans tonight."
"With whom? Trevor."
"Umm. Yeah. Trevor. We were going to Uh... uhm..."
"You are a horrible liar, Wrenly. You're going to go home and watch TV." My father turned off his computer and loosened his tie.
I rolled my eyes and huffed, folding my arms over my chest. I saw Decker staring at my tits. I put my arms at my side and gave him an annoyed. Disapproving look. I saw him redirect his gaze.
"Fine, I'll go get my things, but I am not staying all night. Dinner. One drink, no dessert. Then I am going home. And I don't expect me to engage in conversation." I tried to sound defiant, but I wasn't doing a particularly excellent job. There was a part deep within me that craved to spend the night with Decker in more ways than one.
"You are a ball of fun, aren't you?" Decker said, rolling his eyes.
"Wanna talk about why you don't want to go?" I whispered out of the corner of my mouth.
He just glared at me. "I'll take it as a no," I muttered.
"We'll meet you at the car, Wren. Decker, come with me, son. I need to talk to you."
I walked swiftly to my office to grab my things.
"How was your day with the hot intern?" Marie asked.
"Don't ask. I have to go to dinner. Cancel my appointments for tomorrow. I plan on getting very drunk tonight."
"Oh, well, if you need me, give me a call. I am always here if you want to talk."
"That's Maria. But this is something I am just not ready to discuss."
"Alright, my friend. Have a tolerable time!" She looked at me with what looked like empathy.
Third Person POV:
Giano slapped Decker on the back. "What do you think of the company? I hope you felt welcome."
"Sir, why am I here? I have a feeling that you and my father have an anterior motive."
He took a deep breath. "Why do you feel that? Did Wren say something to you?"
"Mr. Granatello, I know how you know my father. I am an adult; I know everything. I've known it since I hit puberty. You were friends long before you had business dealings together. Why did you both insist I come here? Does it have to do with Wrenly? Does Wrenly even know who she is? What she is?"
"It may have a little to do with Wrenly. It may not. And Wrenly does not know. She may never fully know. If she never finds her mate, she will know."
"Oh, I guess I don't know anything about her. I would like to, except she really doesn't like me. Do you know that your daughter dislikes me, Sir?"
"Why do you think that? You haven't seen her in a very long time."
"That's not really accurate. We met up again this past weekend. I may have upset her about something." he rubbed the back of his neck.
Giano pinched the bridge of his nose. "Please tell me that you are not the jerk she met this weekend."
"That would be me."
"Oh, for the love of the Goddess. Have you told your father this?"
"Sir, I had no idea she was your daughter. She looks nothing like the little girl who used to come to our ranch. And no one called her Wrenly. All I ever heard was her being called Little Bird."
"Ah. Yes. And if I remember what you and your friends used to call her."
"That is a big regret, Sir. I do feel remorse for that. And I have tried to tell her that. She didn't want to hear it."
"Alright. Is there anything else that you would like to tell me? Anything at all?"
"I. The night I met her... I... My..." He stumbled over his words. He wanted to tell him that he knew his daughter was his mate. But he couldn't until he made things right with her.
Wrenly is half-human. She does not know about her father and the pack, and she hasn't met her wolf. Pure blood meets their wolf when puberty starts. Wren will not meet hers fully until her mate marks her. She has been starting to be aware of her since she met Decker; she just doesn't realize it yet.
"Out with it, son."
"Can we please get this over with?" Wrenly said, approaching the car.
"We will pick this up later," Giano said to Decker while getting into the car.
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Wrenly POV:
"Kristof, So good to see you, my friend. It has been so long." My father embraced his friend.
It had been so long that I had forgotten what Mr. Donafrio looked like. He was an older version of Decker. My insides yearned to see Decker as an older man. I would drop to my knees every day if Deck was my—No! Stop! What the fuck! Why do you even think that? You are not the type of girl that Decker goes for. He likes Bimbo Barbie, not her sister Midge!
Decker is going to be a good-looking man till the day he dies if he ends up like his father.
"Wrenly, is that you? My, my, you are just as cute as a little thing. Isn't she just the sweetest little thing, Deck?"
"Dad," Decker said with ignorance.
"What? I was just complimenting the girl."
"She's not a girl, and she's not a cute little thing. She is a successful woman... but she is pretty sweet." He smiled at me
"Forgive me, Wrenly. It was not my intention to insult you or belittle you."
I was taken aback. didn't know how to react. Decker had just spoken up to his father for me. I didn't like being called either thing, but I never expected him to talk to his father like that. I am now very curious about what the fuck is going on there. And he called me sweet! He had to keep up a good boy facade.
Luckily, the maitre d' approached us to show us to our table. We were seated next to each other. I was sick of smelling him all day long, yet I loved the smell of him. He still smelled like baked bread and wine—the same way he smelled at the bar.
"You didn't have to say anything to your father," I whispered out of the corner of my mouth.
"You're a grown-ass woman. He shouldn't talk to you like you're an 11-year-old in pigtails." I bet she would look sexy as hell in a set of pigtails. And there goes my cock.
I looked at him. "Interesting choice of words--" I didn't get to finish my sentence because the server came to our table.
"I'm Kennedy, and I will be taking care of you this evening. Can I start you off with something to drink?"
Kennedy was a tall, leggy redhead with perky tits and a 26-inch waist. I hated her immediately. No. I was jealous of her immediately. The way my father and Mr. Donafrio were practically drooling over her. Made me angry. I didn't even want to look at Decker. You know you're a fucking liar. He can Ogle all the leggy skinny bitch he wants to. I mean, not that I care. I'm not the least bit interested in Decker Donafrio. Denial is not just a river in Egypt, girl.
"Did you say something?" I asked Decker.
"No." He lifted his eyebrow.
"I swear I thought you just said something." I was genuinely confused. I heard a voice. It was clear as day. It was like a low whisper, but I knew I was not going crazy!
"What do swear I just said, Sunshine?"
'You know what? Nevermind."
My dad ordered the most expensive bottle of wine on the menu, which, of course, happened to be from the family winery.
"And for you, Maam? We have a Hagen Das milkshake you might be interested in."
Kennedy wasn't looking at me, she was looking at Decker.
What did that Hostess Ding-Dong just say to you? I wanted to hide under the table. I might be chubby, but my BMI does not put me in the obese category. "Whiskey neat. Make it a double. The best available."
"Wrenly!"
"What, Dad? If I had to be here, I'm having a drink. I'm having a real drink."
"A lady does not partake in hard liquor straight up? What are you a--" Decker cut him off.
"I'll have A rum and Coke," Decker said, he gave me a wink. "Top shelf also.
I couldn't help but smile. Kennedy walked away. I watched Dad and Kristoff Ogle her ass as she did. I glanced at Decker to see if he was joining in on the Ogle Fest, and much to my surprise, he was on his phone. He looked up at me and gave me a small smile. I felt my cheeks warm. I turned my head in quickly and started to sit my water. I wanted to pour it on my face. He really had no interest? I find that hard to believe.
I sip my drink as the father's droned on about business. Every now and then, I thought I heard my name with Decker's name. They spoke like they weren't even there. Why the hell were we there? I ate my dinner, and I had more than one drink.
"So, Wrenly," Kristof wiped his mouth with the red linen napkin. "How do you like working for your father?"
'Sir, with all due respect, I work for a company that just happens to be owned by my father. I graduated valedictorian of my class with a 5.79 GPA. Did you know Einstein graduated with a 4.6? And that was from high school. I work myself to the bone day and night to achieve that. So, I don't work for my father. I work for the Granatello Winery. And it's a good thing it's called that, because when I'm in charge, at least I won't have to change the name. But mark my words. My father, when he does decide to retire, will give me that company and I will take it into the stratosphere. Without him. Without a man. Because you know what, Mr. Donafrio? I am a strong animal. Animal? What the hell did I just say, animal? I wanted to say, woman. Oh, for the love of God. Here I am making this bold statement, and I fuck it up. Jesus Christ Wrenly.
"A 5.79. Decker, did you hear that? What is your GPA right now, son?"
I felt terrible for Decker being put on the spot.
"3.1," he mumbled.
"What was that? Speak up, son."
"I said a 3.1." He looked over at me. 'I'm sorry,' I mouthed to him. All he did was shrug his shoulders.
Kennedy came back. My father ordered his third bottle of wine, and I ordered my 5th double whiskey. Decker ordered his fourth double rum and Coke. I also decided to order a dessert. I wasn't going to. I didn't want to, but I was uncomfortable, and I needed that comfort. Did you know sugar produces the same effects similar to cocaine? Of course, after I do devour it, I feel guilty. I never used to eat for comfort. Hell, a little over a year ago, I was 100 lbs. Then again, shit happens.
Then, I also didn't want Decker to see me shoving it in my face. I didn't want to embarrass myself, but I decided fuck it. Just because I was feeling some weird attraction for him doesn't mean I have to be on my best behavior. I mean, look at me. I am not what he finds attractive. You can't say that. You are not him, and you really don't know how he feels deep down. Good god. Where is this coming from? This is not the way that my mind works. But my mind was not in charge right now.
I turned to Kennedy. "Um. I'm not sure if I want the Godiva cheesecake or the Raspberry chocolate sphere. What do you suggest?"
"They are both amazing. My favorite is the Raspberry Sphere." She looked at me. "You hit me as the kind of person who would want to order both."
My cheeks burned. I quickly composed myself. "I'll have the cheesecake."
"Are you sure you don't want both?" she asked. What did I do to this woman?
This woman is being a bitch just to be a bitch. You should do something, Decker. I'm on it, Dawson. "She's sure. I'll take the Raspberry Sphere. We can share them, babe."
He took my hand and gave me a sexy smile, popping out that fucking dimple. I couldn't believe the feeling that jolted through me. It went straight to my core. This was a new feeling. I had never felt that kind of sensation before with anyone. I didn't know what to say. My father and Kristoff were not paying attention.
She looked at him, and her body went stiff. "Ohh. Uhm... sure, no problem."
She looked at our fathers. "Gentlemen, would you like anything?"
I pulled my hand away from him when she got the attention of our fathers.
"No, no, I'm good."
"Me too. Thank you, Karen."
"Kennedy," she said.
"Sorry," my father said.
When she brought the desserts, she put them both down in front of me. The slightest look of shame appeared on her face. Kennedy smiled and walked away. Before she got too far, Decker called her.
"Karen." She stopped in her tracks and turned around. Decker motioned with his finger for her to come back to the table.
"I ordered the Raspberry Sphere. I don't understand why you put it in front of her. She shouldn't have to present it to me. That's your job."
"Sorry, my bad." She looked annoyed, but she picked up the plate, and she set it in front of me. "That's better, Karen."