“You left it in your schedule.”
I narrow my eyes. “And how, Timber Holtz, did you find the schedule that I keep in my satchel in the kitchen that no one else should know about?”
His glare turns sheepish as he clears his throat.
“It fell open when you left it in the hallway, and I happened to take a look.”
“Uh-huh,” I say dryly, because my satchel has three straps that I always keep snapped shut, mainly because I have things in there that I don’t want Timber to see, like myillegalheatsuppressants.
“Well, there are things you don’t know about me either. And I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you.”
I arch a brow. “I’m pretty sure you could throw me a decent mile if you put your mind to it. Does that mean I’m trustworthy?”
He glowers back. I guess I shouldn’t be so casual since we’re actually bringing it up.
“I won’t believe you’re going to the market until I see it. The market could be a code for anything. I don’t know what you’re up to yet.”
I let out a sigh, biting down a sharp stab of pain instead. Thank God it’s in my chest and not my pussy, because now is the worst time in the world to go into preheat. If his ex-wife used her perfume to manipulate him, how would he feel if going into heat got me out of this conversation?
“Do you think I’m some kind of sleeper cell agent? I’m not here to mess with your life, Timber. I came here to do my job, and I need to get to the market right when it opens. Which I want to do by myself.”
So I don’t have to deal with an awkward hour’s drive, along with dancing around him all morning. I just want to see Barry the butcher first thing when the best cuts are out. Not exactly high on the sexy list, though I have to get rid of the idea of doing anything sexy with Timber now.
I’m just deluding myself by thinking he’ll want me if he ever finds out the truth about Ollie and Luke.
He’s already met Ollie, so I can’t tell him she’s in the hospital. I could lie and say we’re triplets, and Luke can make up a fake name and put on a show.
“You’re either going with me, or you’re not going at all,” he says.
I roll my eyes. “Fine, but you’d better be ready. The market is no joke. I’ve seen you play on the ice, but you haven’t played like this before.”
He gives me a confused look, and I wink. I can use this as a chance to show him I’m a trustworthy omega. Or at least prove I’m not here to ruin his life.
He’s already made it crystal clear he’ll never be with another omega. Lucky for him, he’s scent matched with someone who’s doing her very bestest not to be one. Even if he thinks he knows the truth, I’ll put on my beta hat, do my job, and Timber won’t have to worry about an omega sneaking into his life again.
Ollie
“You’re looking pretty fresh today,” I hum as I peer at the spread of steaks on ice behind glass. I’m talking to the meat, but I glance at Barry, who’s always beaming. He’s a sixty-year-old butcher whose family has lived and worked in Tennessee since the 1800s, and he’s so proud of his heritage that I love talking to him just for that.
“Why don’t you come round the back here, and I can show you exactly how fresh my meat is?”
I’m laughing along with him until a huge hand thuds on my shoulder, yanking me back against a coffee-scented chest. My eyes widen as I look up to find Timber glaring at him.
“We’re not here for fun and games,” Timber growls.
“Hey now, don’t go acting like that,” Barry says. “It’s just some friendly banter. I didn’t know Luke here had a mate.”
Pleasure ripples through me as Timber’s hand tightens enough that he could trap me if he wants to. And I definitely won’t say no.
“He’s not my mate,” Timber says coldly, and I won’t let the hurt get to me. Barry’s knowing smirk sparks up his face.
“Sure, he’s not,” he says as he glances at me. I shrug as if I don’t know what he’s talking about. Except my omega side is soaring over how protective Timber is being.
“Here, I’ll throw in a steak, half off, just for you two. I wouldn’t want a big guy like you going hungry. You’ve got to keep your energy up for this one here, haven’t you?” Barry winks at him, but it doesn’t land.
I grin as I step out of Timber’s grasp, leaning over the stand.
“I’ve got more chance of seeing your meat than his,” I tease as Timber scowls.
