My apartment is the smallest in the complex and the only one-bedroom because the apartment next door was expanded over the summer to add two extra rooms. I never really could get a clear answer on why they did that, but it left me with this place and no roommate, so I’m not upset about it. And the cherry on top is that the house backs up to the ocean, meaning every apartment has a breathtaking view.
Sunday Harbor, Maine is like the coastal version of my hometown of Honeybrook, Georgia. There are two stoplights, a precious main drag that runs right through the center of town, and everybody and their mama knows your business. Sometimes even before you do.
I got here two weeks ago to acclimate and learn my way around before classes start, and even though I had a great time staying with Maisie and her pack, there are only so many times you can hear your cousin going at it through thin wallsbefore things get uncomfortable. For the first time in my life, I’m looking forward to some time apart from my cousin. It would have been one thing if she was single and we were rooming together, but now that she’s bonded to her three alphas and disgustingly in love, it was like living in the room next to a honeymoon suite.
It’s safe to say I was more than ready to move in to my new apartment.
“There’s a cute one in town that has that sort of vintage-y unique style you love, and then there’s a big box store about twenty minutes out if you want more mainstream pieces.”
My head tilts as I consider my options. A big box store would be good for temporary pieces, but I kind of want to make this space really feel like my own. One of the perks of being an omega at this school is that this apartment is mine until I graduate or find a pack. Omegas can be really sensitive about moving and territorial of their spaces so some of the more generous donors gave the school an endowment for omega-only spaces like dorms and apartments. This is the only co-designation housing on campus that’s safe for omegas, and that’s because these are apartments and not dorm rooms or suites.
Packs, however, have an entire separate area of campus all to themselves. It’s a cute little neighborhood of houses set aside for packs that bond and still want to finish their educations at the university.
I’d never tell anyone, but I hope I end up in one of those houses. Maisie was always so anti-pack before she met her guys and because she was older and my role model, I felt like I had to be anti-pack too. But I’ve always secretly wanted what my mom and dads have. They worship the ground she walks on and our house was always so filled with love. Even when they had little spats or disagreements, they never used harsh words or gave each other the silenttreatment.
My entire life has been spent watching a real-life fairytale, and it’s hard not to want that for myself too.
That may also be the reason I’m nineteen and have never so much as been kissed.
“Posey?”
I startle when Maisie’s voice echos through the apartment. I completely forgot we were on the phone. A grimace twists my lips. “Sorry, Maise. I think I’ll go check out the local shop first. You wanna come?” The question comes without thought, but I regret it as soon as the words leave my mouth. I love my cousin, but I wasn’t kidding when I said I needed a break from the love-fest.
She goes quiet, and that’s when I hear the quiet grumbling in the background and deflate. “It’s date night tonight so we’re actually not home, but later this week I could!”
Relief cascades through my body, but guilt follows quickly on its heels. My voice is overly cheery when I reply. “It’s okay. You go have fun with your alphas and tell them I say hi.” I pause. “Actually, scratch that. Tell them I threatened them with injury by bat if they do anything to hurt you again.”
Maisie snorts, and I hear one of her alphas scoff indignantly in the background. I can tell it’s Ward, her grumpiest alpha, by that sound alone. The man is an expert at communicating solely through grunts and growls. My cousin is unbothered, used to our bickering no matter how few words are actually exchanged. “Alright, Rosie Posey. Have fun, be safe, and please send me pictures if you find anything cool!”
She hangs up before I can respond, and my shoulders droop. It’s confusing feeling so many different emotions at once. On one hand, I really need some space to be on my own and not be consumed with envy, and on the other, I haven’t made any other friends here yet and I probably would have enjoyed the company. It looks like my first trip into downtown Sunday Harbor is just going to be me, and I’m determined to make the most of it.
“Hello and welcome to Whimsy! Where we help you turn your home in to a fairy princess garden cottage without the princess price tag.”
My eyes are like saucers as I take in the space. Every single inch of the brightly colored shop holds something unique and pretty, and I don’t know where to look first. I bring my hands up over my heart, and my voice is reverent. “Is this heaven?”
The beautiful woman who greeted me nods, laughing. “It may as well be. I’m Lainey.”
Maybe this is my chance to make a friend!
I stick out my hand, hoping my grin isn’t too eager. “I’m Primrose, but everyone calls me Posey.”
Lainey smiles brightly and moves closer, standing next to me so she’s also facing the shop. With her standing this close it’s obvious she’s an omega. She smells like huckleberry pie, and the nostalgic scent immediately soothes me. My grammy made the most mouthwatering huckleberry pie before she passed away last year, and Lainey’s sweet scent is making me realize for the first time since I got here just how much I miss her.
“This place is incredible, do you own it?”
She shakes her head, her shiny hair swishing across her shoulder blades as she does. It’s an interesting mix of blonde and brown that I would have been envious of as a little girl with strawberry blonde braids who got teased all the time for looking like Pippi Longstocking.
“My mom owns it, but I do a lot of sourcing for the pieces we bring in! It makes me so happy to hear that you love it, you have no idea.”
My eyes dart around the shop, not able tostop on any one item. It’s like Lisa Frank and Betsey Johnson got together to design the space and left a vivid, funky yet functional space behind. “I see at least three things I will be leaving with today, including that shockingly beautiful couch,” I say, pointing towards the bright pink sectional that looks equal parts vibrant and cozy.
Lainey squeals, jumping up and down as she claps with excitement. “I have beenwaitingfor someone to snag that beauty! Do you know how many people have ignored her or said she was too garish? I was honestly ready to make a pair of earmuffs so she didn’t have to hear the pink slander anymore.”
The longer I listen to her talk, the more I like her. “WellI loveher, and she is coming home with me. I actually have an entire apartment to furnish, and if that was your pick, I could use some help finding other pieces.”
She’s quiet for several agonizing seconds, so I panic. “But you don’t have to! You’re probably busy. I can totally do it on my own. Though I might need to hire someone to transport, because my car won’t fit… well, anything, really.” The main downside of driving a car not much bigger than me is not being able to fit anything substantial in it.
Her hand lands on my arm, shutting me up. “I would be honored to help you pick things for your apartment, Posey. No one has ever asked me for design input before, and it took me a minute to decide if this is real or if I am dreaming.”
