An image of her appears in my mind, the one and only time I’ve seen her. It’s in no way enough to get an accurate picture of who she is, but one thing is clear.
She’s fragile. Emotionally, physically.
I stifle the little curl of disappointment in my stomach. It was always unlikely that I’d find an omega who’d fit with me in the bedroom. I just need to forget about it.
This isn’t about me. My pack are on board. I need to meet her.
“All right. Tomorrow.”
ChapterTwenty
Gabrielle
Iarrive atIl Piacereearly, nervously smoothing down my clothes as I knock on the staff entrance. It’s Veronica who pulls it open, her mouth flashing in a quick smile as she beckons me in.
“Busy day,” she tells me shortly. “We’ll need your help.”
I’m immediately thrown into helping with the lunchtime prep, chopping huge piles of carrots, peeling garlic, and making sure everything is set out for the chefs.
I push down the disappointment that there’s no sign of Hudson, Nate, or Axel, and keep my head down, following the barked instructions issued by Veronica and the chefs on duty until my head is spinning.
But I can’t stop my mouth from stretching into a smile. I feel useful here. Like I’m contributing. Gio, one of the beta chefs, cuffs me gently on the shoulder.
“Good going, new girl,” he says, his red cheeks creasing into a grin. “Keep it up.”
I take him at his word, moving and ducking between the fast-paced work until eventually, Veronica waves me down and presses a steaming coffee into my hand.
“Break,” she orders, eyeing me. “Before you fall over.”
I slide into the same seat from yesterday and nibble on a pastry, watching everyone work with my leg tapping.
There’s a commotion at the door, and Hudson pops his head around. Straightening in my seat, I watch as he waves down Veronica, murmuring something that makes her scowl and point her finger at him. He laughs, his head thrown back before he ducks back out.
I swallow hard, ignoring the regretful flip in my stomach.
You have a job,I remind myself.A good job, in a lovely restaurant with people who are actually nice to you. What more do you want?
Hudson went out of his way yesterday to make me feel welcome. Even to the extent of sitting with me on the floor while I had a breakdown. He doesn’t owe me any more than that.
My eyes threaten to sting, and I bite my lip savagely until the feeling disappears.
I take my cup and plate to the sink, rolling up my sleeves to start on the ever increasing pile.
“Brutes,” Veronica mutters as she drops off some pans. “Careful, those are hot.”
I pull my hand back.
“Is everything okay?” I ask quietly, and she scowls.
“They forget that we have a busy lunchtime rush,” she barks, throwing up her hands. “The waitresses go ga-ga when only Nathaniel appears, and now they tell me all four of them are coming in for lunch. Nobody will be concentrating!”
My chest flips over.The whole pack?
Veronica sees my expression, patting my shoulder distractedly.
“Don’t worry,” she says. “You’ll get used to it.”
She sweeps away as I stare after her in confusion.
