“Well, yeah. You love Massachusetts.”
“I do, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’vealready been in contact with a realtor and the mayor about taking over the bookstore.”
I think about it for a few moments. It would suck not to have my big brother around, but I have to start thinking about these things as well. College is coming to an end for both of us. I only have one more year before I have to start thinking about permanent placements and where I want to look for one. I don’t blame him for looking for the perfect opportunity to own his dream store.
“Are you sure this is safe? Someone could be dangling this opportunity above you like a golden carrot so they can kidnap you.”
That results in a hearty laugh. “No, Opal. No one is trying to kidnap me to a place literally known as the coziest coast on Earth.”
“I know, but it sounds… too good to be true,” I say carefully.
“Something is calling me there. I know it,” he says, soft in a way that extinguishes my argument completely.
I give a heavy sigh, but I know one’s instincts must be followed. I knew I was supposed to follow Cindy to Bensen University, but I thought it was to preserve our friendship. Really, it was to lead me to new friends.
And to my scent matches.
“Okay,” I say, giving up the fight. “If you feel like this is something you need to do, you should do it.”
“Really? You mean it?” he asks, relief in his tone. I can almost see a smile on his dopey face.
“Yes, I do. But there will be conditions.”
“Oh?” he replies. “Pray tell.”
There’s some unexpected emotion as I say, “You have to call every Saturday to tell me how it’s going.”
After we hang up, I’m a bit out of sorts. I decide to playsome games since I have enough time today to do so. When I stop by Kit’s room, it’s slightly ajar but empty.
I try not to let it disappoint me that the other omega isn’t here to keep me company. I’ve gotten used to him being around every day, especially since he is usually the only other housemate who’s home most of the time. I imagine it’s quite lonely for him, being in this big house all by himself day-by-day, but then again, I wonder if I’m just projecting that thought onto him. It’s not uncommon for an omega to enjoy their time by themselves.
When I walk into the living room to play games by myself, I find it already occupied.
My body immediately tenses the second I see Thatcher. He’s sitting back on the couch, his attention solely on his phone screen. His thigh muscles bulge beneath a pair of tight work-out shorts in a way that my omega simply can’t ignore. Between those slutty shorts and his minty scent, I’m already a goner.
He doesn’t even look up when he hears me walk in and stare. I open my mouth to say hello, but then immediately shut it in fear of the rejection that would follow if he blatantly ignored me.
I force that away and huff at myself. This brute of an alpha can’t make me go away, not in my own home. I won’t let it affect me, no matter how he answers.
So, instead of running away, I force myself to say, “Where’s Kit?”
Thatcher doesn’t take his eyes off his phone as he says, “Sam swooped him away for a little romantic getaway. You know, for Valentine’s Day.”
There’s a hint of something in his tone that I can’t decipher, but then I remember this past weekend. The way Sam teased Kit about his date plans and I place my palm on my forehead.
I completely forgot about Valentine’s Day.
“Oh, so when Sam said he had a whole day planned, he really meant thewholeday? Even tonight.” I think out loud.
Thatcher nods, still not looking up. “I guess so.”
“Okay then,” I pause, almost like I’m walking on eggshells around this alpha. “What are your plans for the day?”
He gestures around himself. “You’re looking at it.”
One of my brows rises comedically high, then I look around the room. The only light is coming in through the window behind the couch. The TV is muted and rotating sounds venture out of Thatcher’s phone speaker.
“You’re just going to doomscroll all day?” I ask.
