Althena

17. Movie

I sleep in a lot the next morning. I was so excited about the kiss, I was up half the night. Then I get up and get excited all over again. He said he would come back when he can. I hope I can see him tonight. Or soon anyway.

I get ready and run downstairs. I am so happy. Nothing can ruin this mood. I open the door to the shop and he's here. I blink at him a few times. Then I look around. Darmon, his dad, Mike, Conner, a few guys that aren't alpha's, and 6 alpha's are here. They're staring at me. Darmon shakes his head slightly. I'm rather frozen.

Mike leads me to the back room. "We're having a meeting here. I didn't think you'd care. I didn't even think you were here. I thought you and Chris ran off somewhere. It shouldn't take that long."

"It's fine. I'll make some cinnamon rolls. I have the dough ready. I want to put them on the rack. Do you boys need coffee?"

"I made some."

"Good. I'll do this and go find Chris."

"Are you sure it's ok? We can do this another day."

"It's fine, Mike. I was having a late start anyway."

"Thank you." He kisses my head and goes back to the shop.

I hear a commotion out front then Chris comes in with his swimsuit on. "It's beach day. Why are you so happy?"

"Shut it."

He slams the door. "What happened?"

"I got my first kiss." I smile and jump up and down.

"Mike?"

"No. Not Mike. I've told you 80 million times, we're not like that."

"Who then?"

"I'll tell you later. I'm not ready to say it yet."

"Fine, but it's beach day."

"Let me finish these."

"They look done."

"They need to cool so I can package them."

"Just give them to the boys and let's go. I'll help you make more later."

"Fine." I carry them out and put the pans on the tables. "Eat them. Chris is impatient. I'll make more for the store later."

Chris nods. "I really am. It's beach day. The sun is shining and we are STILL IN HERE."

"GIVE ME A MINUTE. I WANT TO CHECK THE COFFEE."

"THEY CAN MAKE A POT OF COFFEE."

"FINE." I run up stairs and change into my bikini. I put a little skirt over it and grab a towel.

I get back down to the shop and Chris is giving orders. "Stock the crystal balls. They're set. FINALLY. Lets go."

I put my sunglasses on and a woman walks in. She gets in the box Chris brought out and grabs a crystal ball. "I've been waiting. Thank you." She hands me money and leaves.

I nod and Chris pulls me out of the store. "TO THE BEACH WE GO."

We get to the beach and I stretch out on my towel. I love the sun.

"So, who is it? It's later."

I crack up laughing. "You cannot tell. Ever. Anyone."

"I promise. Now spill."

"Darmon."

"The Darmon? Like Prince Darmon Gold?"

"Yes. He's been at my store the last couple days after I close. We talk. We made cinnamon rolls last night. He gave me the recipe for the frosting. I like him."

"Well, yea. He's the prince. How did this start?"

"He ran in the first night. Said he was hiding. He didn't want to get caught spying on someone. He just needed a place to lay low. I said ok. We talked and he helped me with the bread. He ended up falling asleep on my couch."

"How did I not notice that?"

"Chemical smell. Nobody noticed he was ever there. Nothing happened anyway. Then he came back."

"Are you going to see him again?"

"He said he would come back when he could. I didn't expect to see him today. But I don't think it counts. They seem to be having an official meeting. I didn't say anything to him. I don't want to get him in trouble."

"Why would he get in trouble?"

"I don't know. It's all weird and new. But he's going to come back sometime and see me. I want another kiss."

"I'm sure you'll get it."

"He's so sexy too."

"He is that. And he's the prince. I'm not sure how this works."

"Me either. But I like seeing him. He's fun and nice to talk to. He said my hair is pretty."

He smiles. "As long as he likes your hair. You're not allowed to dye it anymore."

"Yea, I won't make that mistake again. That was painful."

"For everyone."

We laugh and enjoy our day.

When we get back, Conner and Mike have the shop open. We make more cinnamon rolls. Then we go see a movie. It's nice seeing Mike again. He's always so kind. He's nice to look at too. I wish there was something between us. Even when I was a little girl, I remember thinking about how nice he looked. Always so strong and stable. Maybe I like him cause he's so protective. But if it wasn't for that promise, I would be nothing to him. I would have never seen him again.

He leans into me and whispers, "You ok?"

"Yea, I'm getting tired. It's a good movie though."

"It is. You want some popcorn?"

I take a handful and smile. At least we're friends for now. "Thank you."

"I know you're sad. What's wrong?"

"Why?"

"Your eyes turn more gray and less blue when you're sad."

"I'm fine. Just tired."

"You ready to visit Woodland again?"

"I would like to see my mom. Maybe in a month or so. It was too much for my birthday."

"It's hard to believe you're going to be 17. Seems like you were 13 a few months ago."

"It was a little longer than that. But time does go fast."

"Somehow it manages to fly by yet stands still at the same time. One more year and you'll be all grown up."

"Not much longer."

He kisses my head. "Will you come home for the holidays?"

"Moon Goddess, No. That'll be too much. Holidays are for families. I can't watch that at woodland. It was always so happy there."

"SHHH." Chris tosses popcorn at us. "Movie."

"My mom would like to see you."

"I'll visit between now and then. I miss her. But I can't be alone for the holidays there."

"You would be with us."

I smile and lay my head on his shoulder. He's trying but he doesn't understand. I know Millie wants her own family for the holidays. And that's something I'm not a part of. I know it. "It would be too hard without my mom."

"Ok." He lays his head on mine.

Chris shakes me awake. "How did you fall asleep? It's so loud here."

"Too much time in the sun today." I stand up and stretch. "That always makes me tired." Everyone is clearing out of the theater.

Mike takes me home. I sit in the back room of the shop and wait. But Darmon doesn't come. I can't help but be sad. I was hoping for another kiss.

The next 2 days is more of the same. Still no more Darmon. Then Mike has to leave. I wish he could stay for my birthday, but I understand. I'll go see them all in a month or two anyway. I'll take my mom some flowers and tell her about my life now. I bet she'll be happy I kissed a prince. I like him and I miss him.

The day after Mike leaves Darmon comes to visit again. I barely get the door open and he rushes in and kisses me. "I miss you. I want to make cinnamon rolls again with you. I can't stay but I had to have another kiss."

I hug him. "I was starting to think I dreamed it."

"It wasn't a dream." He tilts my chin up. "You are so beautiful." His lips touch mine again and I am in heaven.

I pull him closer and feel him against me. He's perfect.

"I don't want to, but I have to go. I'll be back in a couple of days. We can cook or do whatever you want. I just need to see you."

"Maybe we can get a pizza and talk?"

"That sounds perfect. I miss this." He kisses me then he kisses my hand. "I have to go or I'll never leave. I'll see you in a couple of days, pretty girl."

"See you soon."