“Not yet, but you’ll find something. You, Sofia, are like a cat, you always land on your feet.”
I huff.
“Listen to me; sometimes we have to walk through a lot of seaweed before we get to the water.”
I blink at her, then slowly smile. “You can’t take Sunshine out of the omega.”
“Hell no, you can’t.” She throws an arm over my shoulders and hugs me tight.
Aunt Ophelia kisses my cheek. “I’m heading out of town, but I needed to see you. Don’t you dare disappear on me again, little omega.”
“I won’t.”
“Good. I’ll be back in a few weeks. Tell your mum she owes me a block of her best chocolate.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
“Love you, sweetheart.”
“Love you, too.”
She doesn’t linger, just turns and walks on those impossibly tall stiletto heels back to the black limo waiting for her. Her black dress makes her look like she’s made out of all sharp angles, and her hair is cut in a sharp bob at her chin. She was born here, but she doesn’t really belong here anymore. She’s thriving in the city.
I turn and face my mother who is standing outside the café. On the roof above, one single seagull watches the events with a critical eye. I really hope he doesn’t bring his mates.
“Attention. Welcome to the second date. I hope all my matches are enjoying each other’s company. We have one week left until Valentine’s Day and the final decision. Will your match be your Valentine? Will you find love? I hope you still have your love rocks; you’re going to need them.”
There is a smattering of cheers, and people seem more enthusiastic this time. I work my way through the crowd, smiling at people who recognise me and say hello.
“Your second date is to take your match to the place that means the most to you. Last week, we did speed getting to know the fun parts of you. This week, it’s time to get deep and vulnerable and show something more.”
“What if I don’t have a deep and vulnerable side?” an alpha calls out.
Everyone laughs.
“We all know that you do, Shane. So, dig deep and show that pretty omega who she will be getting before she high tails it back to Yarrenberry.”
“The winners of the last round were Yolanda Mills and her alpha Grigori. Congratulations. You get a candlelit dinner at the end of the date today.”
I look up and see Sebastian frowning at Yolanda. Surely, he doesn’t still have feelings? I think Sebastian is just angry with everyone these days.
“Go! Enjoy the day. The group that can prove where they have been with some happy snaps of their date will get a reward on date three.”
As the crowd disperses, I thread through until I see them. They aren’t looking at me, so I can observe them in peace for several long seconds until Devon turns my way and stiffens. His movement triggers the other two, and, in seconds, I’m left hopelessly, helplessly waiting for them because I can’t walk away, and I can’t find any reasons to even try.
Not when they are looking like they want to drop to their knees and devour me.
I smooth down the sides of my skirt, which draws their attention down and then back up.
Mack is the first to break. He strides over to me and pulls me into a hug, kissing me. My heart thunders. He just kissed me in front of everyone. Why aren’t I upset? Because this isn’t fake anymore. This is real, and I’ve just been in denial.
“You look incredible.”
Devon drapes an arm over my shoulder. “You really do. Edible.”
“Devon!” I hiss, glancing around.
He laughs as Elijah runs his finger down my cheek, staring into my eyes.
