"It was friend coffee."
"Friends who've kissed," Ben adds.
"ONCE. By accident."
"You can't accidentally kiss someone, honey," Papa says, because apparently he's committed to making this as mortifying as possible.
"I panicked!"
"And landed on a very nice alpha's mouth," Dad supplies. "Good panic response."
I drop my head to the table. "Why is this family like this?"
"So are you taking River's job?" Mom asks, patting my hair.
I lift my head. "I don't know yet. Maybe? It just happened."
"What are you worried about?" Dad asks.
"What if everyone thinks it's pity?"
"River doesn't do pity," Ben says seriously. "If he offered, it's because he needs the help and thinks you can deliver."
"Plus," Papa adds, "you have a degree in exactly what he needs. That's good business sense."
Mom squeezes my hand. "What do you want to do? Not what you should do."
I think about the general store with its endless questions. About River's steady blue eyes and straightforward offer.
"I want to take the job. I'm just scared."
"Of what?"
"Of messing up. Of everyone watching. Of..." I trail off.
"Of people seeing you try and succeed?" Papa suggests.
"Maybe."
"Bea." Ben leans forward. "River's my friend. He wouldn't offer if he didn't believe you could do it. You have the skills he needs. That's it."
"Good. So we're agreed it's just a job."
"And what about Seth?" Mom asks innocently.
I turn to glare at her. "What about Seth?"
"You seemed happy when he stopped by," she says with that gentle tone that means she's digging for information.
"Yes, he brought me coffee. That's it!"
"Very thoughtful of him," Papa observes.
"And you're clearly not thinking about him at all," Ben adds, smirking.
"I'm moving out. Tonight. Becoming a hermit."
"You'll last three days before you miss WiFi," Ben says.
