“Oh, Clara, I’m so sorry,” she says, giving me a stiff smile. “I meant to call you and let you know I don’t need you after all. I feel awful making you get up this early.”
It’s six thirty in the morning, still half an hour until sunrise. I try to hold back my groan, but I don’t manage. But I bounce back fast.
“That’s okay, Sylvia. Are you sure you don’t need me?”
She thinks for a moment and then declines. “No, I don’t. Let me make you a drink before you go, at least.”
I put the apron back and grab my purse before settling at a small corner table. Sylvia bustles about, the grinding of beans and the sound of the steamer so comforting that it’s close to lulling me back to sleep.
The sound of a mug hitting the table in front of me jolts me out of my half-awake haze. “It’s a new special,” Sylvia tells me, her eyes sparkling. “Orange mocha latte.”
“New specials right before Christmas? I thought you were going to phase out festive ones and bring in Valentine’s Day ones soon?”
She waves her hand and blows me off. “I felt inspired.”
I lean over, and the rich, citrusy scent washes over me. My eyes drift shut as I bring it to my mouth, comfort filling me with every sip.
“Wow, Sylvia, this is incredible,” I say, not setting my cup down between drinks. “This needs to be on the menu year-round. It reminds me of the chocolates my parents would putin the toe of my stockings. I loved cracking them on the table with my dad.”
With a contented hum, she brushes her hands together, as if brushing off her hard work. “Then I achieved my goal. You should take one to go and watch the sunrise over the lake. May as well see something beautiful since you’re already dressed, right?”
Watching the sunrise might be lovely, and I am warm enough to do so. I’m wearing the least offensive of all the Christmas sweaters I own today. Felix got it for me after hearing me bemoan the uniform requirements Sylvia set for me, and that alone was enough to make it my favorite. The dark green sweater is oversized, featuring a white print that includes snowflakes, coffee beans, and a large mug in the center, surrounded by mistletoe.
When Sylvia places the to-go cup of the orange mocha latte in my hands, I thank her and head toward the lake.
Watching the sunrise seems like a perfect way to start the day.
TWENTY-FOUR
CHRISTMAS EVE
“Come on, get up, Omega,”Gabriel whispers sweetly in my ear. “I have a surprise for you, but we have to get moving.”
I groan and pull the blanket farther over my head. “Five more minutes.”
“You said that five minutes ago. Let’s go. You’re not going to want to miss this.” A brush of cool air washes over me as he rips the blanket from me.
“You became my Alpha yesterday, and you’re already being so mean to me,” I whine, curling up in a ball. “That doesn’t seem fair.”
He bends over, dark eyes meeting mine over the side of my bed. “What if I promise to give you a reward?”
My ears perk up. “A reward?”
“Yes, a reward. And a good one. But only if you do exactly what I say this morning.”
I’m on my feet before the words are out of his mouth. I’m a big fan of rewards, and I’m not gonna lie about it. From the time I was a kid, I would accept bribes from anyone for anything.
“Yes, sir, Alpha sir!” I say, giving him a mock salute. “What do you need from me?”
He rolls his eyes but bends over and kisses me on the nose. My heart does a flip.
I still cannot believe Gabriel Hernandez, my boss, is my Alpha.
“Dress in something warm. Quickly.”
I rush to get dressed without thinking about whether the clothes match, and then I brush my teeth in a flash.
Gabriel is in my kitchen, leaning against the counter with two to-go cups from Brew-tiful Days in his hands.
