Me
We can always fix that later.
Jack
Oh, I intend to.
Letting out a shocked laugh, I covered my face. I didn’t know where I found the boldness to text him that, but his response did not disappoint.
Jack never did anything by halves, and now that his head was on straight, I hoped he and Cole reallycouldwork things out. That we could be the pack I’d always imagined, with Aspen at the center.
I’d talked to her about him. Opened up about my feelings for Jack. I still couldn’t believe I’d done that. I never opened up to anyone but them. Yet, that omega was mine just as much as she was theirs. She was perfect.
Now I was picturing her between me and Jack.
Fuck, I had to get it together.
I’d always been reserved and quiet. Jack was the outgoing one between us. Yet she was drawing me out of my shell as much as he always did. I never had to be anything but myself with him and I knew she’d be the same.
I truly couldn’t wait to see what became of our pack.
Forcing myself to get out of my head, I busied myself with a fresh batch of scones. Cranberry and orange, something that reminded me of Aspen.
Maybe I could bring her a batch after work. She told me she had a sweet tooth.
“Boss!” Judy demanded, exasperation thick in her voice. It was clearly not the first time she’d said it. I’d been so focused on my task that I hadn’t even noticed that she came in for her shift.
My cheeks burned as I looked up at her. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were here.”
She snorted a laugh and shook her head before tying on her apron. “Clearly. I called your name a few times. Is everything alright?”
“Well… I found an omega. And Jack just kissed me,” I said, my voice almost unhinged as I admitted it.
“Shutup!” she squealed. The omega could get loud when she wanted to. “Are you kidding me, North? I’m so happy for you!”
Her enthusiasm had me smiling, too. “I’m in shock, I think.”
“What are you doing here, then?” she demanded, looking at me like I’d lost my damn mind. Maybe I had. That kiss was still tingling against my lips like it just happened.
My eyebrows drew together in confusion as I glanced around the bakery. “I own this place. Ihaveto be here.”
She rolled her eyes and I just knew her answer was about to be another hard truth. “No, you don’t. I’ve been your shadow for three years, North. I was asking for extra hours. This is your perfect opportunity. Trust me with some extra time.”
“You know what?” I said, sliding my apron off and gesturing to the scones already rolled out, ready to cut into triangles. “You’re right.”
She squealed again, loud enough that I winced and backed away. She hopped into the spot I vacated and got to work. She was an expert at this point. Judy had been around two years watching me hover and correct her work until everything was perfect. She handled my level of insanity with a smile.
She was more than ready.
Maybe she was right. Without another word I hurried to my office to close down my computer. My phone rang and I pulled it out, shocked to see Cole’s number lighting up the screen.
“Hello?” I answered.
“I’m going to take it from the smug-as-fuck look my brother had on his face when he walked back in that you two finally had a chat. Are you guys doing something together tonight to work things out? Should I get Aspen out of the house?”
“Is it wrong of me to say yes?” I questioned. “I don’t want her to feel like I’m prioritizing him over her, because I’m not.”
“She’s not the type to take it that way. We spoke a little about it last night. She’s here for it. I think she’d rather you guys work it out so we can all get along. She’s big on not having tension in the pack. I don’t know what she’s mentioned about her past pack, but they were dicks.”
