One of my arms is bare, the angled neckline attaching to a wrist-length sleeve on the other side. At first, I was worried about how imbalanced it is, but Hazel insisted that it’s chic and lent me a diamond tennis bracelet for the bare arm to add balance.
My hair can’t hold a curl to save my life, so I’ve pinned it back into a classic chignon. I spent ages on a nude glam makeup look, watching video after video to figure out how to get it just right. I swear, makeup artists are artists in every sense of the word. It takes serious skill to pull off some of these looks.
I feel gorgeous. More than I thought I could, honestly, and I’m almost giddy with excitement to see Felix’s reaction.Maybe seeing me like this will be what makes him realize he loves me?
Isn’t that how it happens in the movies?
When I open my door and head into the living room, he’s got his back to me. I take a moment to admire his tapered waist in a pair of trousers that perfectly match my dress.
Hazel must have had her hand in his outfit, too.
His slim shoulders, typical of Omegas, fill out the cream shirt, and I can’t wait to see what kind of tie he’s wearing with the gold suspenders he’s got on. He’s pacing, almost as if he’s nervous. I bet he is, considering this will be the first time he’s spent any time around Gabriel when they’re not at work.
I’m nervous for a different reason.
“Ready?” My voice is breathier than I expected it to be, and I clear my throat, trying to rid it of the emotion that threatens to bubble over.
Felix faces me, and my mouth dries out. A single curl of his perfectly styled hair stretches across his forehead toward his left eye. A maroon bow tie gives him a festive look without being cheap.
God, he’s fucking gorgeous. How has no one locked him down yet?
“You look incredible.” He takes a step toward me, hands on his chest. “You’re so beautiful, Clara.”
My face heats, and I have to remind myself that anyone would tell their date they look beautiful, and that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. He takes my hand in his, and I’m surprised to find that he’s shaking. I’m about to call attention to it, find out when he last ate, and see if he needs a snack before we leave, when he tucks my hand into the crook of his elbow and turns us toward the door.
“We should get going. The cab should be here any minute.”
“Right,” I say, keeping stride with him out of our apartmentand down the stairs. When the cab pulls up to the curb, he opens the door for me, and I slide in. In the brief moment he’s walking around the cab, I steel myself for an evening watching the man I love interact, and maybe flirt, with the person he has a crush on.
I can do this.
ELEVEN
SIX DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS
The staff has decoratedRiver Faire in its Christmas best for the party. Classy, red monochromatic decorations drape a massive tree in the corner. Black tablecloths and gold runners are on the tables, and soft, twinkling lights are draped over the ceiling.
My colleagues flit around the space, drinking and making small talk as they eat some of the delicious tapas and desserts the restaurant provided. Everyone on my team is here except Felix, and I’m trying not to ask Katy whether he’s planning to show up.
He told me he was coming. With a date.
He’ll be here.
“You look tense,” Mitchell says, taking a sip from a crystal tumbler of clear liquor. Probably a top-shelf tequila, knowing him. “Anxious while waiting for your Omega?”
“He’s not my Omega,” I hiss under my breath, looking around to make sure no one is privy to the conversation. “And I’m not waiting for him.”
I don’t believe my words any more than Mitchell does.
I’m on my second martini by the time I see Felix walkinginto the restaurant. I knew he was gorgeous, but seeing him dressed up, his curls styled perfectly, with suspenders and a bow tie, takes it to another level. On his arm is the most beautiful woman I think I’ve ever seen, with dark hair and big green eyes. She’s stunning, and the two of them together look like every wet dream I’ve ever had.
Mitchell may have been onto something about winning over his Beta, too.
“Well damn,” Mitchell mutters behind him. “Maybe I’ll talk to her. If they’re not a pair-”
“No,” I snarl. “Stay away from her.”
My friend’s face lights up. “Easy there, Alpha. Is someone feeling a little possessive over a woman he’s never met?”
