Chapter 22: Chemistry and A Serious Talk

Zander entered my suite and said, “We need to talk. Would you want to join me on a picnic?”

Was he asking me on a date? I hoped he wasn’t suggesting that. My hands started to get sweaty.

I looked at him and said, “Okay, but it’s not a date.”

“I never said it was. Think of it as one friend sharing a meal with another friend.”

I was disappointed yet relieved at the same time. My heart hammered in my chest thinking of being alone with him again.

Zander drove away from the pack and took me to a cute park with picnic tables. But he set a blanket down on the grass near a table. I looked at him in puzzlement. What was he up to?

He said, “I had to get us away from listening ears. Let’s talk.”

That was a great idea. Now I understood why he wanted to leave the Wisteria mansion.

I grabbed a PB and J sandwich from the picnic basket and took a bite. I swallowed and told him, “When should we look for information that’s about your parents?”

Zander took a swig of his water from a thermos and said, “How about tomorrow? I can’t wait any longer or I'll go crazy."

“That’s fine with me.”

Zander pulled out a bag of chips and munched on a few of them. He chewed and swallowed before saying, “Now, enough about business. Tell me more about you. We weren’t done the other night.”

I felt like I had been tricked into going somewhere alone with him. Zander made it seem like it wasn’t a date but in reality, it was. The way his eyes looked deeply into mine proved that.

He waited until I finished eating before asking me questions. Zander asked, “What’s your favorite flower?”

“Oh my God. You’re flirting with me by asking that.”

“No, I’d never do that. I’m just curious for future reference.”

“I really like roses, especially red ones. I know it’s cliché.”

Would Zander think I was lame for liking that stereotypical flower? I hoped he wouldn’t make fun of me for it.

Zander shook his head, “No it’s not.” He gazed into my eyes and said, “I think roses are romantic, and that's coming from a guy. They aren’t cliché to me.”

In that moment, I realized we were attracted to each other. We fit together well and could talk about deep topics or silly ones like our flower preferences. Worry came over me.

I drank some water and asked cautiously, “Why do you want to know me better?”

We both knew it was a dangerous question. But I couldn’t hold back from wanting to know why he seemed interested by me.

Zander smiled his bright smile and said, “You’re someone who makes me curious. I can’t figure you out Cleo Sharpe.”

I could say the same about Zander. Something about him fascinated me, and there was so much more I didn’t know about him. My heart raced rapidly while Zander kept his eyes on mine.

“Was this all a trick to get me all to yourself?” I flirtatiously asked.

It was a risk flirting with him, but I didn’t want to hold back as much. My feelings for him didn't seem like only friendship.

He chuckled and said, “Yeah it was. Are you mad?”

“No, I’m definitely not. I’m kind of glad you took me out here. It’s a beautiful park.”

Zander’s mouth got a crooked smile and he said, “That’s not the only beautiful view here.”

I looked down at the blanket and told him, “Don’t say things like that.”

“Why not? I’m just giving you a compliment. Remember what that is, princess?”

“Thank you.” I looked back up at him and added, “Are you ready to head back?”

Zander nodded his head yes and got up. I got up and gathered up the blanket, while he carried the basket. We headed back to the car without another word. I felt his eyes on me the whole walk back to his truck.

When I returned, I remembered my promise to Ash that I wouldn’t fall for my mate. I couldn’t let myself stray from him. It was especially a bad idea, since I was still staying with his pack. They’d be able to report any improper behavior about me.

I still loved Ash and wanted to be with him but something changed. I knew in my soul that Zander and I had a spark. He knew things about me that Ash didn’t and understood me better. I needed to weigh my options.

On one hand, Ash was someone I had known longer and made me feel loved. But on the other hand, Zander was caring and made me strong. I had grown so much closer to him than Ash in the time we’d gotten to know each other. My heart felt torn in half.

After I had pushed these thoughts away, I went to visit Maurice and hoped we could talk one on one. I needed to know more about Zander’s parents.

I approached Maurice, and he looked happy to see me. “Cleo, how nice it is to see you. What brings you to my office?”

His office had a large oak desk with neatly organized papers and a wicker chair with an elegant lamp off to the side. There was also a bookshelf with several books on the history of wolves and pack life.

Quickly I spoke up, “I want to talk to you about how Zander’s parents died. I’m helping Zander solve this horrible crime.”

He said in a serious tone, “That’s all in the past. Why don’t we talk about the present?” Maurice’s eyes lit up and he added, “I can give Ash and you the most extravagant wedding you’ve ever seen. We can make it have everything you’ve ever dreamed of and make others envious.”

“You’re avoiding the subject completely!”

“I don’t think you should dig into the past anymore.” He wore a sinister grin and continued, “I think you should drop this investigation and let me give Ash and you a wedding to remember for years to come. I’m willing to pay millions for you two. Your wedding will be one no one will ever forget.”

I poked him hard in the chest and said, “You think a bribe will really stop me from helping Zander? I won’t be so easily bought. I can’t believe you’re this low of a person to do this.”

I walked out of his office and slammed the door. I would not let someone like Maurice bribe me. Now I was even more fired up about helping Zander find his parents’ killers.