My phone buzzes with a calendar reminder.
Meeting with River Brooks - 10am Tuesday - Brooks Hardware
Tomorrow. I'm meeting River tomorrow to talk about the job. Which means being alone with him. In his space. Surrounded by his scent.
And knowing this town, Seth will probably find a reason to stop by the hardware store too.
I'm going to be dealing with both of them. Possibly at the same time.
My omega practically vibrates with anticipation.
My stomach flutters with nerves.
This is going to be a very long week.
If I survive it.
Chapter 6
Grayson
The apartment above Ashpine Books smells like old paper and dust.
I stand in the middle of what's supposed to be both my living space and tattoo studio, surrounded by boxes I should've unpacked last night. The accountant who lived here before left it clean but empty—white walls, bare floors that echo, windows showing the gray December morning outside.
It'll work.
Has to work. This is what a fresh start looks like.
Tuesday. December 1st. New month, new town, new attempt at not screwing everything up.
I move to the window, looking down at Main Street. Gray sky and the mountains in the distance. The general store sits directly across from the bookstore.
Movement catches my eye.
Woman leaving the general store, locking up. Dark hair in a messy ponytail, wearing dark jeans and a green flannel jacket that's seen better days. Even from up here, I can see curves that make me look twice. She's got her shoulders up, defensive. Ready to fight or run.
I know that posture. Worn it most of my life.
She checks her watch, then heads down the street with purpose. Quick, efficient movements. Not hurrying, but not inviting conversation either.
Something about the way she moves catches my attention more than it should.
"Coffee?"
I turn, caught staring out the window like a creep on my first morning in town.
Levi Reyes stands in the doorway, holding two mugs. My new landlord moves quietly for an alpha—that same thoughtful energy Elijah has. Elijah's the one who recommended this place when I mentioned needing a fresh start somewhere small. Told me his cousin Levi had space above his bookstore. Somewhere I could disappear and rebuild.
Honeyridge Falls seemed like a good place to be invisible.
Clearly not starting well on that front.
"Thanks." I take the mug, inhaling steam that smells like cedar and rain—Levi's scent mixing with the coffee. He's calm, welcoming. Easy to be around.
Good. I'm not looking for complications in my new home.
"Appreciate you letting me move in today."
