He was so sweet that it made my chest ache even as I was still fighting off more tears.
“I’m sorry, you didn’t ask for all this,” I said, waving a hand at myself like that explained everything.
“You didn’t deserve what they did to you,” he said. “Unfortunately, we don’t get to choose how people treat us. You aren’t responsible for their actions. They are.”
“I never want to see them again. They hurt me, but they were hurting me long before that even happened.”
He squeezed me again and I sank into the touch, using it to help calm my anxiety. I hated my exes. Even now, they were trying to ruin my life. Why couldn’t they just let me go?!
“Do you want to get out of here? I want to head into Town Hall early, but maybe we could stop for some breakfast as well.”
“I’d like that,” I said. “Give me a minute to get ready.”
He nodded. “Of course. Anything you need.”
As simple as that. I loved that he was so easy-going and spontaneous. The brothers truly were opposites, but I liked having both personalities in my pack.
I pulled on yet another Christmas sweater along with dangling snowman earrings that matched, winter boots and my warm coat. With my hat and gloves in hand and my bag in the other, I stepped back out.
Jack was waiting in a charcoal peacoat, with a festive red and green plaid scarf tied around his neck. Thick black glasses I didn’t realize he even wore rested on his face.
“Are those new?”
“No,” he admitted. “I was just too lazy to deal with my contacts today. They bother my eyes if I wear them after too little sleep.”
The dark frames suited his face. They honestly made his smile stand out even more.
“Are you sure you don’t mind stopping by the office?” he questioned.
“I have all the time in the world,” I reminded him as he grinned down at me. He took the hat from my hands, gently putting it on my head and making sure it was perfect. He was so cute.
I pulled on my own gloves before sliding my fabric-covered fingers around his. He led me out to the truck, which was thankfully warm and snug in the garage.
“No snow on the forecast for today at least,” he said as he clicked on the heated seats for us.
I nestled into the warmth as the garage door slowly opened. It may not be on the forecast today, but the snow still clung to just about everything but the streets.
Pine Ridge was peaceful again, the buzz of the weekend’s craft fair not in full swing yet. There were a few people setting up early, the sun just barely coming up, but most were probably still warm in their beds.
“Let’s stop by the office first,” he suggested. “That way we won’t have to worry about hurrying through breakfast before things get busy.”
We pulled up in front of Town Hall. I expected it to be empty, but he rolled his eyes as he pulled in next to a shiny, red jeep.
“The mayor is already here. I’m sure it’s been eating away at him that I’ve been off.”
“Does your mom know you’ve been called in? I bet she’s livid.”
He winced. “No, and I really didn’t. I’ve been working on this project for so long that handing over the reins completely was giving me anxiety. I want it to go smoothly. Otherwise, how are we going to convince the mayor that this shouldn’t be the only year they allow it?”
“Grief is hard,” I said. “Someday, those painful memories will get a little easier for him and he won’t be so combative. Clearly, he does right by Pine Ridge or he wouldn’t still be mayor.”
“Heisa good man,” Jack confirmed. “Stubborn as hell, but aren’t we all?”
“Definitely an alpha then,” I shot back, laughing at the fake offended look he gave me, gasping and clutching his chest.
“You wound me, omega.”
“I do not. You know damn well that alphas are stubborn.”
