Yep, I knew it was too much.
I turn to head back upstairs. “I’m gonna go change.”
“No! You look lovely, Faye.” She smiles, her bright white teeth on display. “Although, I’m not sure Ren will be able to focus with you looking like that.”
I tuck the warm bread into my backpack with fumbling fingers. We’re just studying. It’s not like it’s a date or anything, right?
“Have fun.” Her brown eyes glimmer mischievously. Was I really that obvious last night when at the club? Delilah’s too perceptive for her own good. “Happystudying.”
I hurry out before she has a chance to see my blazing cheeks.
I get to the library over half an hour earlier than needed, taking a seat on a bench outside the entrance. I rub at my stomach where my nerves form knots. Why am I so worked up? All I’m doing is helping an alpha with his homework.
I check my phone to find a picture message from Gram. It’s a little blurry, but I make out a stack of pamphlets promoting an Omega Unite rally. I read, “Proudly Sponsored by Blooming Brew” at the bottom alongside the promise of free samples for omegas.
Underneath that, the text says:
GRAM
Miss you, Hedgey!
As well as being a tea making extraordinaire, Gram is a feminist badass and omega rights activist. After Mom died, she helped start Omega Unite, now one of the biggest omega rights groups in the world. She’s been a spearhead figure in the community ever since. She makes a few big trips every year to attend some of the larger rallies. She’s always claimed I’m too young to attend, but secretly, I think she wants to shelter me. After what happened to Mom, I don’t blame her.
Hearing from her makes me feel a pang of homesickness. Ordinarily, I’d be with her, helping her pack for her trip and painting extra banners for campaigns.
“Faye!” Ren’s breathless voice brings me out of my wistful thoughts. “You’re early! I didn’t want to keep you waiting.”
I check the time. He’s also early, just not as early as me.
He towers over me, holding four drinks: a smoothie, a giant milkshake piled with whipped cream, an iced coffee, and a bubble tea. I should’ve known it’s a group study session.
“Are the others joining us later?”
Puzzlement tugs down at his lips. “The others?”
I look pointedly at the drinks he’s holding.
“It’s just us.” He tugs at the collar of his crisp, white shirt. “I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I got a few options.”
“You really didn’t have to.” I eye the milkshake. “But if that’s a chocolate milkshake…?”
“You like chocolate. Noted. It’s all yours.” He hands it over with a smile as I stand. “Chocolate fudge with sprinkles on top.”
“Sounds like heaven.” I moan when I take a sip. “Mm, that’s so good.”
Ren’s Adam’s apple bobs as he looks at me. He shifts from foot to foot, avoiding my gaze.
“Do you want to get a table inside?” His voice is a little raspier than usual. “It should be quiet today.”
With many students outside, lazing around on the grassy lawns–most probably not having much work yet with it being the start of the semester–we don’t struggle to find a table. We choose a spot in the group study area where we can talk without getting the stink eye from the librarian who was incessantly shushing people as we passed.
“I’m not sure how much help I’ll be with your essay,” I tell him as we take a seat. “You seem pretty good at the subject already. The blend you gave me to help with putri flower exposure was perfect.”
“I’m glad it helped.” Ren sets the drinks down, pulls out some papers then slides them across the table. His essay is about using the California poppy to help with sleep. It’s a niche topic, but insomnia is a common ailment that we treat a lot at Blooming Brew. “I’ve tried a few combinations.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “But I feel like I’m missing something.”
I glance over the first page that contains formulation recipes. He’s left scribbled notes in the margins. “Do you have a pen?”
He roots around in his satchel then hands me one. As he does, our fingers brush, and what feels like a lightning bolt shoots through me. Every nerve ending in my body sets alight. Ren’s pupils dilate.
