"Why are they making such a fuss?" I ask.
She points to the living room. "Look around you. There's nowhere to sit except the space on the couch I made for you. They're either baby-proofing the place, and I don't want to burst their bubble and tell them that these little fellows aren't moving anywhere, or buying clothes, toys, or... I don't know, Sharon. Sometimes I think they believe these babies are going to come out and start walking around this place."
We both giggle as I watch a panicked Griff walking with some wood up and down the hallway like he's lost in traffic.
I tuck a loose curl behind my ear. "So, what's up?"
Because I know she didn't call me here to tell me about her alphas.
She grins. "I've got good news, I promise."
Before she can continue, a low voice comes from the hallway behind me.
"She can handle anything."
I turn around. My pulse stutters.
There is a man in the doorway, standing under the soft yellow hallway light. He's tall. Like, tall enough that the top of the doorframe is probably intimidated. Dark hair. Square jaw. Shoulders that look like they were designed specifically to carry both furniture and emotional baggage. Tattoos curl across his forearms in black ink against tan skin. He's holding a fire extinguisher in one hand like he just finished testing it.
He smells like cedar and smoke and leather. Sharp. Clean. Strong. A scent that settles low in my stomach in a way that feels dangerous.
Savannah waves toward him casually like she didn't just introduce a walking problem.
"That is Cassian Burnside," she says. "Logan's buddy at the station."
Cassian steps into the room, and his gray eyes land on me, steady and unreadable, like he's taking inventory of all my panic.
I'm speechless. Like ready to just leave my coat and run.
Why?
No.
Logan's friend. Does that mean...
"Sharon Martinez," he says. "You used to date my brother."
Heat prickles up my neck. Down my arms. Everywhere that heat has no business going.
Yes, I dated his brother. I manage a polite smile even though my scent is doing weird things.
"Right. I remember."
Like I could ever forget.
His brother. The jerk, the ass, the knothead, the absolute garbage can of a man. He stays locked in a tiny compartmentalized box. Is that healthy? Probably not. But I'm not reliving those memories right now. I refuse to let a family connection to my worst relationship mess with this opportunity.I'm going to do my absolute best for Savannah and prove to both of them I can handle it.
Savannah clears her throat and moves things along.
"Anyway. Back to my news," she says.
Cassian moves quietly to the corner of the room, and he doesn't say another word. But I can feel him there. His scent lingers in the air, warm and smoky, and my body is acting like it has opinions I definitely did not approve.
I focus on Savannah. I need to focus on Savannah and not on the alpha in the corner who smells like danger and looks like every bad decision I've ever wanted to make.
Savannah squeezes my hand. "I'm officially on maternity leave. Which means Bourbon Bliss Weddings needs someone to take over while I try not to pop like an overfilled balloon."
My heart jumps. "You want me to help you?"
