It’s time to stop hiding. I trot downstairs to find the Sunshine Omegas making themselves comfortable in my home.
Sofia hands me a cup of coffee, and we sit on the couch next to each other.
“All right, let’s call this meeting to order,” Asher says. “What are we going to do about Mum?”
Sofia shrugs. “Go along with it.”
“She matched me with the same alpha. He hates me so much he didn’t even show up for our date, Sofia,” Asher says sharply. “It’s embarrassing.”
I sip my coffee, thinking it over. “I know it seems bad, but I think it’s actually a good thing.”
They all turn and look at me.
“Were you not against this, heart and soul?” Imogen asks the question the rest of them don’t.
“Well, yes, but this one is different. It’s cute and charming, and it was really well thought out, and it was fun. You know, when I think of having a romance with someone, one of the first priorities is that I can have fun with them. They are clearly thinking this through. I just…well, I just don’t think it’s so bad.”
Sofia reaches out and pats my knee. “Did you kill my best friend and crawl into her skin? Are you from this planet?”
I snarl playfully but shove her hand off me. I’m not sure why, but it doesn’t feel good today.
“Look, it’s a few dates and some fun. It can’t hurt to indulge them. They are having a great time, and it’s helping the town. We are getting a whole lot of tourists in. Devon’s had heaps of work; Mack is working on fixing up some of the shacks that have been empty. Elijah and Franco are working their butts off, and the restaurant is booked out whenever it’s open.”
“All good points,” Felix says, but he’s staring out the window. “I think Asher objects to having to spend time with the alpha she finds abhorrent. And I wonder if the case is that you actually looked forward to it and having him was disappointing?”
Asher gets really still, her eyes narrowed on her twin. “Maybe if you stopped mooning after your sweetheart and paid attention to your date, he would have left earlier.”
Felix turns to face her. “I don’t have a sweetheart.”
“There’s someone, Felix. Is she married? Bonded? In a pack?”
Felix glowers, and the room gets dangerous. He stands up very slowly. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Asher. There is no one.” He stalks out.
“You can lie to everyone else, but you can’t lie to me!” she shouts at him.
Imogen shifts her weight, then bounces up. She doesn’t like it when the twins fight.
“Stay on the trails and make sure you go with Kady,” I throw at her.
Imogen squeals, launches herself at me, hugs me tight, and then bolts out of the house. Kady is Imogen’s best friend and has a horse as well. If they are going to go out, my rule is they have to go together.
Asher has her arms crossed and is glaring at her mug on the coffee table.
“Asher?”
“He’s keeping secrets. We never keep secrets.” The forlorn, hurt tone is probably the most truthful she’s been all morning.
“He’s allowed to have them, though,” Sofia says gently.
She sighs. “I know, I just don’t like that we’re all growing up and apart. He will tell me when he’s ready. I think I just miss the water. It’s been a week since I’ve been able to get down and go see Banjo.”
Banjo is the local dolphin, and for some bizarre reason, Asher and the dolphin became the best of friends. He follows her around while she does her research, and she plays with him like he’s a pup or something.
She has spent far too long trying to get me into the ocean, but I flat out refuse to go out there and meet him. No, thank you.
“Tomorrow is supposed to be a good day.”
Asher brightens. “I know. I’ll put the boat in and head out early.”
