"When?"
"Late spring. Early summer. Once I have a few events under my belt and feel like I can step away for a week."
"A week in Mexico with baby turtles, and your chaotic mother?" Stacey's grin is huge. "I'm extremely in. This is the best life decision I've made in years."
Footsteps on the stairs. Through the bond, I feel Sergio's presence, followed by the others. My pack, all together, all home.They file into the office, filling the small space. Carlos looks around. "Is this about the pancake incident?"
"How?" Nacho's voice is flat.
"You distracted me with your face."
"I was just standing there."
"Exactly. Distractingly." Carlos says laughing and pointing at Sergio.
No one else thinks it’s funny. Especially not Sergio as he rolls his eyes.
I cut through the banter. "Stacey’s staying. I wanted to make sure everyone's still okay with that."
Four sets of eyes turn to Stacey, who waves awkwardly.
"You're family." Sergio's voice is matter-of-fact. "Family doesn't need permission to stay."
"Also you helped me reorganize the workshop last week." Carlos grins. "Anyone who can decipher my chaos gets permanent resident status."
"You've been taking care of yourself better." Pedro's clinical gaze sweeps over her. "Your stress levels are down. Your color is better"
Nacho just nods. "You're staying."
Stacey's laugh is watery. "You guys are the best weird pack family I've ever crashed with."
"We're probably the only pack family you've ever crashed with." Carlos points out.
"Still the best."
"Good. It's settled." I clap my hands together.
"We should celebrate." Nacho's voice rumbles behind me. "Dinner out. All of us."
"I'm in." Stacey raises her hand.
We end up at a steakhouse in the next town over, crammed around a large circular table. Carlos orders for everyone without asking, somehow getting it exactly right. The food is good, thecompany better, and by the time our plates are half-empty, Stacey leans over, voice low.
"You know you're glowing, right?"
"I'm not glowing. I'm eating steak,” I reply.
She squeezes my hand. "I'm really proud of you, Jess."
"I'm proud of you too."
"We're both pretty amazing when you think about it."
"We really are."
Jessica Delacroix. Event planner. Omega. Godmother. Friend. Daughter of a woman who's dating a thirty-two-year-old and learning Spanish incorrectly.
And for the first time in my entire life, I can't wait to see what happens next.
