“I’d like the sampler please, but I also need two extra bags of the spiced cashews and the spiced pecans, please.”
“Of course, coming right up,” she said, flashing him another bright smile that he was completely and utterly oblivious to. That calmed some of my fiery jealousy, and when he quirked an eyebrow up at me, I knew I was caught. He could probably read it all over my face.
North leaned in, lips brushing mine. “Don’t worry, Aspen. The only eyes I have are for you and Jack. No one else.”
When he pulled away, she was no longer smiling as she handed over his order.
“Here,” her tone was sharp.
He bit back his laughter as he took it from her, dropping a five in the tip drawer before his hand wrapped around my waist this time.
“Some people just can’t take a hint,” he said.
Jack took the extra things from his hands while North popped open the cashews, holding one out with a questioning look in his eyes. I let my mouth drop open, and he pushed it inside, my lips immediately closing around the sweet treat, licking his fingers clean as he pulled them away.
His pupils dilated now, hunger in his eyes. That sweet scent spiked enough that a few alphas turned around, but ours closed in on us, drowning it out the best they could.
“You better behave,” Cole warned. It was playful, but from the way he was looking around still, he meant every word.
“Sorry, alpha,” I said, not feeling sorry in the least. From the look he gave me, he knew damn well that I wasn’t.
“You know, if you ignore us alphas for much longer, I’m going to start feeling some kind of way,” Jack teased.
I would have felt bad if he was serious, but Jack was grinning over at us. He loved seeing his omegas together.
Cole’s hand found mine as I started walking towards the stalls, North still on my other side feeding me bites of his treat.
We spent the next two hours checking out each booth, the guys getting into it just as much as I was. Cole found a set of fancy pens that were, apparently, rare enough to get him excited.
“Those might look nice in a new office,” Jack mused before moving on. I swear he never missed a chance to goad his brother.
A few stalls down, Jack found a few rare baseball cards. He, apparently, had been looking for them for years.
North found some books for his collection, especially now that he had shelves to fill. He didn’t even think twice when Cole offered to run them back to the truck. He was leaning into this omega thing more than he knew.
My arms were quickly filled with small finds and treats. Now that I knew I’d be at the estate, at least some of our time together, I didn’t hold myself back quite as much.
We snagged a few more ornaments for our tree, the guys getting more into this than I expected. They’d point things out, faces lighting up like kids each time. I was already gone for this pack.
A display of vintage clothes had me depositing my bags in Cole’s waiting arms and rushing ahead. They were seventies themed and absolutely perfect.
Jack was the worst about encouraging me to buy everything, his eyes blazing with heat as I held the dresses up to my body. It was nice to feel wanted. There was no one to watch, it wasn’t a show or obligation, he just found me sexy.
When I had paid for my purchases, Jack pulled me closer. We were now walking side by side as we kept each other warm. My omega was practically purring. she was so happy. That warmththey brought about was not just in my chest, but flooding through me.
“Tell me a little bit more about what you do at the paper. Is Cole as big of a stickler there as he is at home?” His brother glared at him.
“He’s known for being a bit of a stoic boss, but I really didn’t find any of that when I met him.”
“You sat in his lap and kissed him wearing a Santa suit,” he teased.
“No regrets on my end. Honestly, on the drive up here I think I saw more of his ‘real’ self than I expected. I already knew he was attentive and passionate about Pack & Co. but he’s so much more than that. When I heard he was a Hawthorne I was ready to run. That name alone carries weight. I assumed the man himself would be…” I trailed off, trying to find the words without being an asshole.
“Arrogant, cocky, putting himself above everyone?”
“Exactly,” I agreed, “but he’s nothing like that. Neither are you.”
Jack looked down at me, that boyish smirk spreading across his face.
