I feign a smile, my traitorous mind instantly returning to thoughts of Jagger. How is it fair that he looked even moregorgeous than the last time I saw him? Why did my body react like it was struck by lightning when he grabbed my wrist to pull me back? It shouldn’t be fair that someone who hurt me so much is still allowed to have that effect on me. My body shouldn’t allow it! There should be a self-defense mechanism in my brain that’ll stop me from wanting to throw myself into his inked arms. At least I got out of there before I did something stupid.
“Why don’t we have a Stella Saturday?” Kady suggests. “I’ll see if Faye is free, and we can all head down to Forestville to visit that sexy bookstore, The Pleasure Pages? I’m sure they have lots of new stock after the holidays.”
The Pleasure Pages is a new store that’s opened in Forestville that sells both smutty books and sex toys. An unusual yet winning combination.
“I thought you had plans with Hale?” I ask. “Weren’t you going to visit a donkey sanctuary?”
“Hale will be fine going to see the donkeys on his own.” Kady waves her hand dismissively. “Without me around, he’ll probably volunteer to work there and stay for hours. He’ll be fine.”
Since Kady spoke to Hale’s parents and they all surprised him on his birthday, Hale has returned to vet school. From what she says, he’s absolutely thriving. Although Larry wasn’t too pleased when he brought a rescue kitten home for a few days, hating having to share Hale’s attention.
“Vibrators and books!” Sabs cheers, taking a bite of a muffin. “You’ll forget about that pesky barista in no time.”
I grin, a real one this time. “I guess that could be fun.”
“It will be!” She yanks me out of my chair. “Now go shower. You’re covered in flour, and you have sprinkles in your hair.” She swipes her finger across my cheek then licks the sticky red jam off her finger. “Mm, strawberry.”
“While you de-cake yourself, I’ll start boxing up some of these treats, since we won’t be able to eat them all ourselves.” Her gaze sweeps over the surfaces. “Whatever we don’t want, we can leave at the gate for Margie to share with the rest of the houses?”
Sabs smirks. “Leave the salty cupcakes for Persephone House.”
She’s still angry at them for winning the pumpkin contest on Halloween and suspects that they were the ones who reported her singing loudly in the party golf cart at 3am.
“We’ll see you back down here soon,” Kady calls out as I head upstairs. “Today will be just what you need.”
I drag myself upstairs. While I appreciate my best friends, I doubt they or some kinky books will be able to help me shake off this swarm of feelings.
After soaking in the tub and treating myself to one of Faye’s gram’s lavender bath bombs, I feel half-presentable. I put on my mustard-colored coat and a teal beret.
I hadn’t thought I’d takenthatlong, but by the time I head downstairs, Faye is already here.
“Delilah!” Faye waits at the bottom of the staircase with a bunch of fresh flowers in her hands. “I thought these would brighten up the kitchen. Ezra said they needed to be trimmed back before they took over an entire section of the greenhouse.”
When I reach her, she pulls me into a tight hug. Faye wears her heart on her sleeve, so I can feel her concern in the way she holds onto me a little tighter than usual. I’m guessing the others have filled her in on what happened as she doesn’t ask. That’sone of the many things I love about my friendship with Faye, her quiet understanding.
“You smell nice.” She sniffs my hair. “Lavender and rose?”
“You’ll have to send my compliments to your gram.”
“I’ll make sure she adds her new lavender pillow mist to your next monthly delivery.”
Faye’s gram, Betty, sends a monthly care package to Stella House, packed to the brim with all of the homemade products she makes at Blooming Brew. Recently, Betty has also made a deal with Nora’s Nest Nook, donating free products to help with heat comfort and scent blocking for omegas who may not be able to afford them otherwise. No questions asked.
“Ready to go?” Sabs’s high ponytail swings as she bounces through from the kitchen to join us. “I’m super hyped about this trip! It’s our first Stella outing since we got back from the holidays.”
“I just need to put these in some water before we leave.” Faye scurries away to the kitchen, her floral dress swishing around her knees. “I’m sure there’s a vase somewhere…”
Kady pads up from her room in the basement, wearing a stunning, tailored cream coat and an awkwardly-constructed green scarf around her neck. It doesn’t match her outfit at all, but I love the fact that she’s wearing it because I made it for her.
“I just heard from Calder.” She grins down at her phone. “Devon’s latest Ask an Alpha column has gotten more views than we’ve had in ages.” She chews on the inside of her cheek. “I think we need to update the photo, though. The current one just isn’t working for me.”
“No working on the weekends!” Sabs wags a finger at her. “Isn’t this why Calder is your co-editor? Let him handle it.”
“Good idea.” She grins, shooting him a quick message before stashing her cell away. “I guess there are some perks to sharing the editorship.”
“Yeah, it helps that you’re sleeping with him too,” Sabs chips in.
“Our editorial relationship is strictly professional!” Kady argues.
