"But—"
"NOT. A. WORD."
Mom's smiling. "They're both texting you. That's sweet."
"I hate this family," I mutter, but I'm looking at both texts again.
River's casual confidence. Seth's formal awkwardness, complete with signature.
To River: I'd like to hear more. Tomorrow works. What time?
I stare at Seth's text for a long moment. He apologized for texting. Signed his full name. Asked if I'm okay.
To Seth: I'm good. Thanks again for the coffee. It was really thoughtful.
Both respond almost immediately.
River: 10am? I'll have actual coffee ready.
Seth's takes longer, like he's typing and deleting and retyping.
Seth: Oh good. I was worried I made things worse. Glad you're okay. The coffee was perfect, right? - Seth
I smile at my phone.
To Seth: Coffee was perfect. You did good.
Another long pause. More typing and deleting, probably.
Seth: Good. That's good. I'm glad. Have a nice night. - Seth
He's so formal. So careful. It's stupidly endearing.
My heart does another one of those stupid squeeze things.
Ben's watching me with that insufferable older brother expression. "So how's Seth?"
"Leaving. I'm leaving this table." I stand up.
"I think he's a good one," Papa stage-whispers.
"I heard that!"
"You were meant to!" he calls after me.
I retreat to my room with my phone, but I'm smiling.
Until I catch my reflection in the mirror.
My scent is still warm and sweet—pleased omega—and I can smell both alphas on my skin. Pine and sawdust. Rain and cedar. Two very different scents that somehow don't clash, just layer over each other like they belong there.
My omega hums contentedly at the thought.
My brain screams danger.
Because this is how it started with Terrance. The attraction. The attention. The certainty that this time would be different. And I ended up running home with my tail between my legs.
What if I'm making the same mistake? What if I'm just swapping one alpha for two? What if?—
