“My parents split when I was ten and I grew up with only my mom in the picture. My dad moved to Florida and we haven’t seen him in years.”

“That’s terrible.” He wasn’t his father’s biggest fan, but he couldn’t imagine not having him in his life when he’d been alive.

“It wasn’t so bad. My father wasn’t the greatest influence. He wanted to sleep around and told my mother they could be friends while he ‘saw’ his other friends.” Walker shrugged. “His version of seeing meant sleeping with anyone he wanted to, but she was supposed to sleep with only him.”

“That’s messed up.” He parked, then shut off the engine. “But I get it. My father did the same thing. He seemed to believe he should be fruitful and multiply no matter what. It was hard on my mother, hard on Dixon’s mother… It wasn’t fair.”

“No, it’s not.” Walker left the car and followed him into the building. “I’ve never been here before. I’m assuming it’s good.”

“It is. Homey, filling and worth the price.” He nodded to Tara, behind the counter, then strode over to one of the empty booths. “They take care of you and it’s economical. Plus, they’re all shifters, so we’re safe.”

“You’re not safe otherwise?” Walker asked. “I’ve got so much to learn.”

“It’s just about dynamics. If I were to go out to another pack’s land, I’d be at risk because I’m a rival. Humans don’t tend to come in here because they don’t know about the place, so that helps keep the diner safer for us.” He needed to stop babbling. “I’m sorry. Apparently I don’t know when to quit.”

“Quit what? Talking?” Walker accepted the menu. “I don’t mind. I spend a lot of time on my own. Being single tends to force the issue.”

“Where are you staying? You said he’d tossed you out.” It wasn’t his business, but he and his wolf cared about Walker. “Sorry. I overstepped.”>

“No.” Walker toyed with the plastic. “I was with Ed for over three years, but he had certain ideas as to how I should live my life. He liked the money I made when I worked, but he wasn’t fond of how I worked. A real man doesn’t need to use his hands. He should use his brains. I do use them when I’m building, but stairs don’t fashion themselves.” He tensed as Tara approached the table.

“Can I get you something to drink?” she asked. “Hi, handsome.”

“A coffee,” Philip replied. “What would you like?”

“Water is fine.” Walker blushed a deeper shade of red.

“Make that two and we’ll decide what we’d like by the time you come back,” Philip said. “Thanks.”

“Any time.” Tara left them alone.

“Are you okay?” Philip asked. “Walker?”

“I’m fine.” Walker folded his hands on the menu. “Just out of practice at being in public.”

“Then I’ll have to help you knock off the rust.” And he’d love every second. He liked their conversation and time spent with Walker. The wolf liked him, too.

Maybe Dixon had known what he was doing when he put them together.

Maybe.