Or I’d heard the knocking on my door, panicked, and hid in my nest.
I was so pathetic.
“Oh, yeah. Sometimes I’m up in the lighthouse and can’t hear,” I said.
Lucy’s smile never faltered. “Of course! I think it’s so cool we have an omega lighthouse keeper. We all loved Fredrik and Carina and were devastated when they passed, but I’m so happy such an amazing person has taken their place.”
My brow furrowed. She didn’t even know me. Why would she say I was amazing?
“Do you have a minute?” she continued. “I’d love to buy you a coffee and welcome you to Starlight Grove.”
“Well…”
I trailed off, and Lucy seemed to take my non-answer as a yes. She looped her arm with mine and set off for the coffee shop across the street. She effortlessly carried the conversation, telling me about the history of the town and all the gossip about the shop owners, not seeming to mind or even notice how stilted my answers were.
“What would you like? My treat,” Lucy asked once we were at the front of the line.
What I really wanted was a pumpkin spice latte, but I hated when people made comments about my scent, so I typically just got plain coffee. Although, I was wearing a new industrial-strength deodorant. The name had made me roll my eyes—No-NonScent Deodorant—but it seemed to be doing its job. It had better, since it cost double the generic drugstore one I usually bought.
“Just a regular coffee,” I mumbled.
“Are you sure? The pumpkin spice lattes here are incredible. I dream about them. I’ve tried everything to get them out of season, but they refuse.” She fixed the cute beta barista with a glare, but the girl just grinned back. “Just try it,” Lucy said. “If you hate it, you can have your coffee.” Her tone made it clear that plain coffee was a travesty.
Thanks, Lucy, that’s really kind of you. You’re right, coffee tastes like dirt and I hate it.But “Um, sure,” was all I could say in response.
We found an empty table in the corner and sat down with our lattes. I took a sip and in that moment, my life changed. I swear to god, I perfumed a bit.
“I told you,” Lucy said, triumphant. “Best thing you’ve ever tasted, right? I’ve tried to recreate the recipe at home, but nothing ever gets close.”
“It’s really good,” I said, hiding my smile behind another sip.
“You have to meet my friends Ivy and Summer. They’re omegas, too. We all grew up here and sort of knew each other, but weren’t in the same grades. But we all made our way back here as adults and are besties now. And, as an omega, you’re officially a part of our group now. We just need a great group name.”
I blinked. Lucy wanted me to be part of her friend group? When all I’d given her was blank stares and a dozen choked out words?
“Oh, and my brother, Lars, lives on Main Street,” Lucy said, looking out the window as if he would materialize out of thin air. “He’s thirty-one and single.” She turned back to me with a twinkle in her eye. “If you’re into alphas.”
An image of Easton’s face floated in front of me until I blinked it away. I made a noncommittal noise.
“I get it,” Lucy said with a sigh. “Most of the time, they’re more trouble than they’re worth. But Lars is a good guy. Even though he always stole the last piece of cake growing up.”
Just then, the coffee shop door flew open and Marisol walked in. “It’s getting chilly out there,” she said, unwinding her neon green scarf. “My knee’s been acting up all day.”
“Oh, that means a storm must be coming,” Lucy said, giving me a conspiratorial look.
Marisol waved at Lucy and made a beeline for us. “Lucy, doll, I was hoping I would run into you. Have you seen Felix? I barely see him around these days and I’m getting worried.”
Lucy frowned. “Now that you mention it, I haven’t. But we have a town meeting coming up.”
“That’s right,” Marisol said. “I’ll have to give him a good talking-to after the meeting. He can’t just vanish like this and think we won’t worry about him.”
I had no idea who Felix was, but right now I was more focused on getting home than asking questions. I wanted to enjoy this time with Lucy. The idea of having friends was tantalizing. But evensitting here, in this cute cafe, surrounded by cheerful people, I could feel it coming on—the edge of darkness looming over my mood, trying to sink its tendrils inside me.
I took a big gulp of my latte. “I should probably get going if it’s going to rain.”
Lucy’s face fell, and her disappointment looked so genuine. “Of course. I’m sure you want to get back before the rain starts. Let’s set up a better time to hang out! And the welcome committee still needs to bring your basket.”
I smiled and nodded as I said goodbye to Lucy and Marisol, my expression plastic. By the time I got to my bike, the rain had started, pelting my face and chilling my skin on the ride back to the lighthouse.
