“We’re going to be different,” I promised. “Give me tonight to talk to Jack and get us right, and then maybe we can plan something tomorrow for all of us.”
“What about the shop?” he asked, just as shocked as I was that I was handing over the reins to Judy..
“Actually, I’m leaving now. I’ve had an omega working with me for a few years, and she’s been begging for me to trust her with more work. She suggested this would be the perfect time, and I think she’s right.”
“Good for you, North. This is a busy time of year, but I’m sure she knows what she’s doing by now. And I know damn well you’ll still be in that shop off and on while we’re getting to know our omega.”
“I made sure she was,” I agreed.
Cole let out a sigh. “I’ve been away too long. I’ve barely had Christmas since I left home and I want this year to be perfect. We’re going to start with cutting down a tree.”
“Actually, could we do that tomorrow?” I questioned. “I’d love to be a part of it.”
“She would love that. Maybe I’ll take her shopping in town to pick out some decorations, then.”
“You should check out Secondhand Treasures. Bailey said she got a huge shipment of vintage ornaments.”
“See? You’ve got this omega thing down already. She’s going to love that. I’ll take her out to lunch and we’ll check it out. Go get your alpha, North.”
“That’s the plan,” I said, my smile growing as I thought about him.
“He just walked in and Apsen and I will be walking out in about thirty minutes.”
“Perfect,” I said. “That’ll be enough time for me to run home, shower, change, and go find him.”
“Good luck, North. Have your moment so we can give this pack thing a real try. We have an omega to court.”
Jack
Holy shit. I kissed my best friend.That thought tumbled around in my head the entire way back from North’s bakery.
I swear I was running on a high at this point, the feel of his lips still lingering on mine… and then getting hit with the scent of our omega the moment I stepped inside the house. It was everything.
I followed the sound of voices, unable to stop myself. I wanted to keep proving to Aspen that she could trust me, that I wasn’t the dick I’d been yesterday. I had a moment, but it wasn’t who I really was.
God, I hoped she believed me.
Things were complicated sometimes, but none of that was her fault. We were stepping up and facing them now, fixing it, so we could be what she needed.
She was sitting with Mom at the breakfast bar, both of them sipping tea as Mom told her stories about our family. Of course, she was right in the middle of an embarrassing one about me and Cole.
“Oh my God, I bet they were the cutest,” Aspen laughed, the sound so free that it made me smile. I loved her genuine joy. I might have worried about jealousy, but how could I when she made you feel like the only one who mattered the moment her attention was on you?
“They were. They both tried to convince me that somehow the vase justfelloff on its own. Must’ve been an unstable table from an antique shop.” Mom shook her head dramatically. “It was so hard to be mad at them. Between this one’s dimple,” she said, pointing at me, “and Cole’s ability to calmly explain like his answer was the only logical choice, I had no chance.”
“I believe it,” Aspen said, turning and looking at me.
Relief washed through me at the sight of her smile. Maybe I hadn’t fucked everything up.
“Do you need something, son?” Mom asked, raising a brow and sipping her tea like she was enjoying the drama we were bringing to the house.
I walked over and kissed her cheek before answering. “I was looking for the omega here… but it can wait.”
“Oh, nonsense,” Mom said. “You guys are a freshly forming pack. If you need to talk,talk. You can find me later.”
“Don’t forget to dig out that old photo album for me,” Aspen reminded her.
I narrowed my eyes playfully at both of them. “You two are trouble.”
