Karina let out a small laugh, shaking her head. “Oh, the usual, protesting any extra town funds being spent on Christmas festivities. I think Harvey finally wore him down, though.”
“Good man,” Cole laughed.
Karina turned to me to explain. “Harvey runs the bookshop in town, and he loves nothing more than to get under the mayor’s skin. He's also one of our biggest supporters of going all-out for Christmas. We used to have a Christmas festival every year, just a single-day event where the town gets together and celebrates the season. Nothing elaborate. Just perfect for Pine Ridge. But he’s been against it since he lost his wife.”
“Understandably so,” Cole said. “I couldn’t imagine losing my omega.” He gave me a meaningful look and my stomach fluttered. This man was going to be the death of me.
He barely knew me, and yet the idea of losing me was painful enough that he looked genuinely upset. Then again, the idea of anything happening to him did the same to me.
It was crazy how quickly a scent-match could take hold. I felt connected to Cole the moment I pressed my lips to his, and spending the ride with him, getting to see a different side of him, had changed everything.
None of the rumors about him being a grumpy, stoic CEO mattered. I never really met him in that capacity, and I wasn’t the type to judge before I really knew someone.
“So, he finally gave in?” Cole prompted her to continue.
“Oh, not without a fight,” she said as she took another hearty sip of her drink. “He insisted it was a waste of tax dollars, but Harvey had to remind him that the distribution of tax dollars also included a fund for this. It always has.”
“What happened to the funds all the times he refused?” I asked.
“I can answer that,” Jack said. It was a step up from the hostility he had a few minutes ago. “I work in the town’s treasury office. It’s been rolling over for years because they can’t use the funds for anything else once it’s set. So, this year’s event should be an extravaganza of sorts. They’re talking about going all out, renting a reindeer for the kids, having someone walking aroundas Santa and Mrs. Claus, and there’s a cookie competition that we all know North here is going to win.”
“Do you bake much, Aspen?” North interrupted.
“I’ve never really had a chance to learn, but I’d be willing to give it a try.”
“Maybe we can do some baking together while you’re here.”
“I would love that,” I said, giving him a genuine smile. “Though, I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of a master baker.”
“I won’t let you fail,” he promised. His grin was teasing now, even as his cheeks burned. This beta was the embodiment of a cinnamon roll and I loved it.
I had a feeling he wasn’t used to dating and flirting with an omega. I kind of loved that. Not that I was naïve enough to think this beta was a virgin just for me, but the idea of him waiting for the right person, and that he knew from the start that I was that person, made me feel special.
Our eyes were locked now, both smiling softly and unable to look away. My stomach fluttered even more, as if my body was reminding me that this was right. That we belonged in a pack.
Jack stood up abruptly, startling everyone at the table.
“If you’ll excuse me for a minute,” he growled before storming off.
I frowned down at my plate, unsure what the heck was happening. It was such a contrast from the man who was so flirty when I walked in. He seemed so confident and centered, and now it was as if he would do anything to get away from me.
I couldn’t help but look at Cole. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No,” he said firmly. “This is all on Jack. He and I have a strange relationship and he’s letting that get in his way.”
“He’s jealous,” North tacked on with a sigh. The beta was conflicted and I hated that he was as much in the middle as I was.
I didn’t expect him to be so blunt.
“He feels like Cole outshines him. He comes home and everybody is so excited, and then he brings you and suddenly we’re all a pack that was started without him. He feels like he’s lost before it even begins.”
“I’m not a competition,” I said firmly. “Not a prize to be won. What I have with Cole, or you, is separate from what I’d have with him. Right now, he’s the one putting a wedge in.”
“We know that,” Cole reassured me. “I think my brother just needs some time.”
“Maybe I should go talk to him.” I looked at North. “Do you know where he would go?”
North nodded. “I have a few ideas.”
