He put his giant hand over mine. “I know. But it’s not like we’re going to lose our hearts.”
Not likely. “Ha, I’d like to see that omega try.”
Chapter Five
Kai
Monday
I’d had another amazing day, despite the hotel being full of doctors and finance bros.
Last night we went line dancing. They’d had anamazingtime, and I’d managed to not get set up with anyone… not even a rancher or an oil baron’s daughter.
After another lavish breakfast at the hotel and some more swimming and day drinking by the pool, I had my spa day with Auntie Kiki and Auntie Mimi. I’d gotten a massage, facial, manicure, and pedicure.
Back up in the room, I’d put on a new outfit. This one was a dressy jumpsuit with little jeweled dragonflies on the top. Dragonflies were my favorite. I even used some of the makeup they’d gotten me yesterday.
We were eating at the hotel’s restaurant on the patio today, so I grabbed my sunglasses.
Feeling cute, I kicked up my heel and struck a little pose, taking a mirror selfie. I didn’t post it to my socials, just to my lab group, who were continuing to worry about me. They also kept me updated on the drama.
Auntie Kiki rapped on my door. “Timeliness is important.”
“Coming.” I made sure everything important was in the wallet attached to my phone, because I didn’t feel like bringing a purse or my mini backpack today.
We had another delicious meal, this one not quite as fancy as last night. But there was live music and good vibes.Perfect.Yes, this was more fun than being lonely.
“What are we doing tonight?” It wasn’t even seven yet.
“We have tickets to a concert, but we couldn’t get another ticket for you. I can give you my ticket if you want,” Auntie Tiff offered.
“Or you can go to the bar? We all know that’s where all the important things happen at conferences,” Auntie Cookie joked.
Honestly, I didn’t feel like going to a concert–or the bar. I really just wanted to curl up with some ice cream and watch some trash TV.
But I knew the aunties. They wanted to feel useful.
“If I go to the bar for a little bit, will you stop trying to fix me up? I’m serious. I need just a little break.” I could have a drink or two, scroll on my phone, then go up to the room, and order ice cream from room service.
Auntie Kiki thought for a moment. “You have to stay down for an hour.”
“Sounds good. Have a nice time. Don’t stay out too late,” I replied. An hour? I could do that.
They left to get a car to their concert. The art deco bar gleamed with polished wood and beautiful fixtures. Alphas in suits packed it, sipping drinks while laughing a little too hard. There were people who looked like they’d already had one too many cocktails, handshakes and business talk, and of course, romantic liaisons. There were also packs and couples sharing an appetizer or having a drink.
As I looked for a place to sit, I took in the chaos. It had been a while since I’d been in a bar, especially one where I wasn’t rushing to meet anyone or having to make sure I left at a certain time, because I still had to study for an exam or turn in a paper.
It was nice.
While what Logan and my ex-friends did to me stung, I wasn’t quite as heartbroken as I probably should be. What hurt wasn’t the lack of love–it was the lack of trust.
That made me think. Did I ever really love Logan? Or was I just in love with the idea of Logan? Or perhaps even just the idea of having an alpha in general. Given society conditioned us omegas to think we needed one, that an alpha meant safety and security.
Same with my friends. Obviously, they never were actually my friends.
Grabbing a seat at the bar, I ordered a lemon drop and charged it to Auntie’s room. If I was hanging out in a bar because she wanted me to, she was paying for my overpriced drinks.
A couple of alphas looked my way and I avoided eye contact. I might be sitting here to make the aunties happy, but I wasn’t interested in meeting anyone.
