He pressed a hand to my chest, stopping me in my tracks. “Dude.”
“What?”
“Seriously? The exact same outfit?”
“We wear the same outfits all the time,” I argued. That was true, so it wasn’t totally out of character.
Saffron frowned, trying to formulate a response, but he was interrupted when Jade opened the main door to our shared space.
“It’s almost six,” he announced in a warning tone. “You know how I feel about tardiness on the show.”
The matching outfit drama was forgotten. We hauled ass to the beach before Jade skinned us alive.
The place swarmed with omegas. Tables were set up with drinks and snacks to encourage people to mingle. That would’ve been awesome—except they were supposed to mingle withus.
No, thank you.
I tried not to visibly bristle at the crowd. Saffron looked fine, so I had to act fine, too.
“Well?” he prompted.
I glanced at him, confused. Wasn’t he thrilled about this shit? Why wasn’t he waltzing into the crowd and sniffing out his fated mate? Not that I was complaining.
As he regarded me, I realized something. He was waiting for my input because he cared about my feelings.
A tiny worm of guilt wriggled in my belly. Was this copycat crap a dick move to do to him? Yeah, but it was necessary. If he fell in love, we’d drift further and further apart. He’d become obsessed with his fated mate and forget about me. I wouldn’t let that happen.
“Let’s do it,” I said.
Saffron nodded, but glanced one last time at my undyed hair before he dove into the crowd.
I lingered for a second to gather my patience. I wasnotexcited to talk to thirsty-ass sharks who were either here for the screen time or to take a bite out of Saffron.
But I had to do it. So I sucked it up and got in there.
I noticed a couple familiar faces by the drink table and naturally drifted towards them. I felt zero romantic feelings towards Poppy or Alaric, but it was better than small-talking with total randos.
“Hey, guys,” I said.
Alaric whirled around first. His fingers pinched around the stem of a wine glass. “It’s about time you showed up,” he said, mouth curling into a sly smile.
Gag. Not interested. C’mon, dude, take the hint.
Then I remembered I was supposed to act like Saffron. Shit. How would he react to these two?
“It’s... Saffron, right?” Alaric asked, eyes squinting. “Or are you Aurum?”
Oh, right. I didn’t necessarilyhaveto act like Saffron because nobody could tell us apart.
Checkmate.
“You got it the first time,” I said.
Alaric’s face lit up. Poor guy. He had no clue I was lying to his face, but it was for the greater good. Still, I had to change the subject fast before Alaric got the wrong idea.
“Poppy, what’s up?” I asked.
The timid wolf shifter looked surprised I was talking to him. He clutched an orange soda in both hands. “Oh, hello, Saffron.”
