Rejected by My Alpha Now He Replaced Me with a Copycat Luna novel Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Raven’s POV

I moved through the half-empty tables to deposit a plate in front of Marian and another in front of Jonathan. My heart gave a little stutter-step as I took in the fact that they were holding hands. The older couple looked like they were back on one of their dates from high school.

A grin stretched across Marian’s face. “Ooooh, look at this burger, honey. I think it might be Hank’s best yet.”

“It’s got nothing on my Reuben,” Jonathan said, his lips twitching. Marian eyed the sandwich on her husband’s plate as if reconsidering her choice. Jonathan chuckled. “You wanna split?”

Marian nodded, a beaming smile stretching across her face as she glanced up at me. “He knows I have a hard time choosing, so he always orders my second pick just in case.”

A pang lit in my chest. It was such a small thing, but wanting to make sure his wife always had what she wanted most was a sacrifice, nonetheless. That pang shifted into longing, and I wondered if there was any way I’d ever have something as pure as what these two shared.

“Pretty sweet. And I think it deserves a milkshake for you to share. On me.”

Jonathan shook his head. “You don’t have-”

“I want to. Now, what’s your favorite flavor?”

“Strawberry,” they said at the same time.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Coming right up.”

As I headed back toward the pass-through window, I felt eyes on me. Nox’s from his spot in the corner booth, and Dexter’s from behind the bar. They’d been on me every day since I’d returned to work. As if Nox and Dexter didn’t trust that I was up to the task. As if they didn’t know I was fully healed.

The problem was that I liked the feeling of their gazes on me too much -the warmth that settled in different spots, the assurance that they were watching my back. I could get far too used to it, and that was a dangerous game.

“Head’s okay?” Joe asked as he thumbed through some receipts at the bar.

It took me a second to remember my cover story for missing work. “All good. I just get them once in a while.” I figured it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have that excuse in the arsenal, even if it reminded me of all the times my mom had used it before she’d been stolen from me.

Joe’s head lifted, watching me as I put in the order for the strawberry milkshake. There was something assessing to his gaze. Not malicious in any way, but as if he was pulling back layers. “Bummer. I hear migraines are vicious.”

“They’re not a walk in the park.” And that wasn’t a lie. The ones I got from emotional overload were brutal.

“You know,” Dexter said as he sliced limes, a mischievous smile playing at his lips, “if you let me give you daily massages, I could work the

tension right out.”

Joe let out a snort. “The only massage you want to give Raven is slipping her the ol’ salami.”

I choked on a laugh. “Can’t say I’ve ever heard it put that way before.”

Dexter looked affronted as he set down his knife. “There is no slipping when it comes to my dick, Joe. Only stretching because it barely fits.”

My face flamed as mental images swept through me, but I shoved it all down. Instead, I turned and patted Dexter on the shoulder. “Whatever

you say, buddy.”

“Stop calling me buddy,” he growled, his voice low.

“Raven, that’s harsh. Calling a man buddy?” Marty called as he shook rain off his jacket, Rodriguez and Dante following behind him.

Rod chuckled. “Raven has never called me buddy.”

Dexter let out another low growl that only I could hear, making me fight a chuckle.

“It’s good for his ego,” I said.

Dante laughed, sliding onto a stool opposite me.

“Well, what can I get you troublemakers today?”

A mischievous smile stretched across Marty’s face. “I don’t think what I’m hoping for is on the menu.”

Dexter cut the lime with more force than necessary as he glared at Marty.

Dante let out a hoot of amusement and smacked Marty on the back. “You might want to take that comedy show on the road, dude. You keep it here, and that knife’s gonna be stickin’ outta your eye before long.”

“Listen to the wise man,” Dexter said, slicing again.

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t let Dexter intimidate you. I saw him snuggling with Asher’s fluffball of a cat the other day.”

Rod’s brows rose comically. “Asher has a fluffball cat?”

“He does. And her name is Lulu.”

Dexter leaned in, his breath teasing my ear. “He finds out you told these idiots that, there will be retaliation.” Dexter raised his voice so the guys could hear, as well. “No rule against having a cat and a penchant for cold-blooded murder.”

“Jesus,” Dante muttered.

Dexter placed all the limes in an airtight container and stashed it in the mini fridge behind the bar. “I’m off.” His gaze flicked to me as he moved into my space. “You gonna be okay, luv?”

That smoky whiskey scent swirled around me. The heady effect had my vision going a bit hazy. “I’m good.” But my voice came out just a little higher than normal.

One corner of Dexter’s mouth kicked up. “Good. I’ll see you at home.” And then, he was gone, taking his heat and scent with him.

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