Chapter 15: Steve and Melanie

“So, um. Are there questions? Like, do you have to ask me anything? Can I join your pack?”

I smile at Steve. “I probably should ask a few questions,” I say. “More to get to know you than anything else. Have you met the others yet? Freddy, Greg, and Helliot? They’re probably getting us a table right now. Would you like to join us?”

“I’d love to,” he says.

I take him to the table, and watch everyone’s reactions. Not just how they react to him, but how Steve reacts to them. I watch as Helliot looks him up and down and then bites the corner of her lip, a look flashing across her face that makes me think she’s thinking naughty thoughts.

I watch as Freddy looks the guy up and down, measuring the way the guy stands, the look on his face, and even how he gets into the chair. Not a challenging look, just suspicious.

And I see Greg smile as soon as he sees Steve. That, I think, is a good sign.