“Do you know what you would like to specialize in?”
She shrugs and takes a bite of her food. “Mmm, not yet, but I have time.” I nod and leave it at that. “Oh, did you want to go to the Christmas Market this weekend?”
“I’ll be away for work.”
“The mystery gets deeper. Pilot?” she asks, and I shake my head. “I’ll figure it out eventually.”
“No doubt that you will.”
She smirks at me and eats a few more bites before tilting her head. “I know you’re new to town. My best friend throws a Christmas party every year, and it’s kind of a big thing. Lots of people will be there if you’d like to make some new friends.”
“That would be nice, but I’ll have to check with work.”
“It’s on Christmas Eve,” she says, and I nod.
“I’m off.”
“Perfect, then you can come with me.” She points her spoon at me. “You have to bring a gag gift for the white elephant.”
“For what?”
“It’s like a gift exchange, but some of the gifts are terrible, and some are awesome.”
“But why?”
“Because it’s fun, I promise. You’ll love it.”
“Okay,” I reply and try to hold back a smile. “Is your best friend an Alpha?” I ask curiously and wonder if she will be offended.
“Oh, no, she’s an Omega. She has a pack and kids and the whole thing.” She talks a lot with her hands, and I think it’s cute. Especially when she has the pho spoon in her hand.
“Is that what you want, the whole thing?” I ask, using her language at her.
“I mean a pack, sure. The whole kids thing, probably not. I like being the cool aunt. Plus, the idea of being pregnant gives me shivers.”
“Fair enough.”
“What about you?”
“I don’t want anything serious right now, but down the line, I could see myself in a pack or just with one person. I’d be content either way.”
She smiles and nods her head. “Exactly, I feel like the pressure to pack up early has gotten a little intense.”
“I would imagine as a female Alpha you get a lot of that.”
She shrugs her one shoulder and takes a sip of water before speaking. “I feel like there are always expectations of me that I’ll never reach.”
I know I look confused as I look at her. She’s a doctor, seemingly has her shit together, what does she mean she doesn’t reach expectations? I’m about to open my mouth and speak when she beats me to it. “My job comes first right now, and until it doesn’t, I don’t feel like I can be a proper Alpha for anyone.”
I gape at her and wonder why she feels like she needs to be someone’s Alpha and not just herself, but I don’t say that. “I understand that work comes first.”
“At least someone does,” she throws out there before moving the conversation. “Good luck with work. I’ve got a few long shifts ahead of me. But when you get back, can we talk more about going to the party?”
“Sure.”
She smirks at me, picking up her jacket and bag. “See ya, Owen.” I shouldn’t like how she says my name.Fuck. She’s just a friend, she’s just a friend.
I watch as she leaves the restaurant and look down at my second helping of pho in front of me.
