Free Who's Your Alpha? by Vicky Burkholder Page B

thinking about it. Odd. Usually she had to really concentrate for the shift to happen. She shook her head and her hand resumed its normal long-fingered, manicured shape.
    Except for the occasional run, she’d kept the urge to shift closed away for years. What was so special about this town that increased the desire, like hunger needing feeding? Or, in this case, changing? She couldn’t even blame the urge on the full moon since she could change whenever and wherever she wanted. But why here? Why now?
    Shaking off the questions, she chose to stroll the three blocks to the nearby family diner rather than eat in the over-priced hotel restaurant. Besides, she figured from the fancy names on the menu, they probably gave you “cuisine” sized meals. And she wanted food. Food she could sink her teeth into. Food that filled her up. Food not served with crystal goblets, fine linen, and a wine list. She grinned as she passed by stores already closed for the night. Unlike larger towns and cities, Carsonville stores closed around five, except on Fridays. Then they stayed open as late as nine.
    She pushed open the door of the diner. The noise of loud locals, country music, clanging heavy china, and “order up” assaulted her ears with a forgotten—and welcome—din. The place was pretty well packed. She inhaled. And inhaled again.
    “Can I help you?” A waitress who looked to be barely past jail bait age smiled at her, the bright fluorescents glinting off her braces.
    “Table for one?”
    “I’ve got one booth left, or the counter.”
    Sunny spied the open booth—a two-seater next to the door. Noisy, cold—few people liked it. But she didn’t relish sitting at the counter on a stool barely big enough for one hip let alone two. “I’ll take the booth. Thanks.”
    “Sure.” The girl—Darla, according to her nametag—led her the two steps over and handed her a menu. “The specials tonight are the ham steak, meat loaf, or macaroni and cheese. I’ll give you a few minutes.”
    Sunny looked over the menu and grinned. Another thing that hadn’t changed. Oh, the prices were a little higher and they’d made a passing nod to “healthy” food by adding broiled or baked choices, but it was basically the same menu from ten years ago. And she knew exactly what she wanted. As she waited, the rest of the seats filled up with more people still coming in. Though older, she recognized many of the patrons, some of them her old classmates, now with families of their own. A touch of envy colored her vision. If only…“Might as well wish for David to walk in.”
    “Sunny?”
    She looked up and all thoughts of food scurried away like a mouse from a cat. “David?”
    The man standing next to her table looked even better than the lean-muscled, dark-haired boy she’d had a crush on. Of course, every other female—and a few males—had felt the same way. David Maxwell was every girl’s dream. But he’d been her neighbor and her friend. Unfortunately, that hadn’t extended to boyfriend.
    “Hi.” His smile shone brighter than Las Vegas at full power. And she’d just spun the Mega-prize.
    “Hi. You here with anyone?” Heat poured into her face. Man, was that lame. Of course he was. How could he not be?
    “No. Just waiting for a seat.”
    Willing her hand not to shake, she pointed at the empty bench opposite her. “You’re welcome to join me.” She came close to melting into a puddle when he slid onto the seat.
    “Don’t tell me you’re here alone,” he said.
    “Completely. It’s been a long time since I was in town. How ’bout you? Are you here for the festivities?”
    “Actually, I still live here. I was away for a few years but came back.” His shoulder lifted in an easy shrug, drawing her gaze. “Guess I missed the place. What about you? We never heard much after your folks left. Where are they now?”
    “Would you believe somewhere in South America—Brazil last I heard. Dad is doing a study on the mythology of