“It was sweet of him to call to ask,” Faye comments.
Kady shrugs. “Getting you good snacks is the least he could do.”
Before I remind myself why it was important to keep my distance, guilt stirs in my stomach, thinking of how Jagger was alone last night while the rest of us were together.
“I should have brought some home.” I look around at the barren countertops. “We’re definitely in need of something to eat. Would you like me to whip up something?”
“I have a craving for cheesecake…” Sabs muses.
Her usual upbeat energy seems a little duller today as her eyes stray to her teacup, swirling the suspicious liquid that looks to have a few shriveled petals floating in it.
I go to check the fridge. “I should have everything needed to make one.”
“You always have a craving for cheesecake,” Kady scoffs.
“And?” Sabs sticks out her tongue, seeming to perk up at the prospect of her favorite dessert. “Sue me!”
“How are you feeling now, Del?” Kady asks as I start laying out the ingredients.
“Oh, you know.” I shrug. “The usual side effects that come from using heat patches, but aside from that.” I plonk the cream cheese and butter on the counter. “Okay.”
“It sucks to be an omega sometimes,” Kady huffs. “Alphas would lose their minds if they had to deal with half the shit we do.”
“Thankfully, heat spikes get much more predictable after you’re bonded,” Faye chimes in. “Although I’m not suggesting that you’re going to bond, Del.”
“So what is the situation with you, Jagger, and his pack now?” Looking sheepish, Sabs wraps a red tendril around her finger.
“Okay.” I put down the berries. “You’re officially weirding me out.” I turn to Kady. “Aren’t you going to lecture me about spending the night with Jagger’s pack?” Then I turn to Sabs. “And since when do you not want to instantly know all the dirty details?”
“We trust your judgment, Del.” Faye leans across the island to squeeze my hand. “After listening to his song last night, I don’t think you can fake that level of emotion?—”
“For the record, I haven’t forgiven him!” Sabs raises her chin in defiance. “But Nash and Tae sound like nice guys. And all we want is…” She looks at Faye and Kady for reassurance. “For you to be happy.”
Faye nods in satisfaction, like a director who is pleased that the actors have said the right lines.
“And you don’t think it’s a totally stupid idea that I’m thinking of maybe spending more time with them?” I cock my hip.
“Is that what you want?” Kady asks.
“I…” I exhale deeply as I set my trusty mixer on the counter. “I think so. Maybe? Things with Jagger are… messy, but I can’t deny my connection to him and the others.”
“You can’t fight a scent match.” Faye’s eyes twinkle. “Some things are just inevitable.”
Kady wrinkles her nose. “Inevitable or not, that playboy rockstar has a lot of groveling to do.”
“Hell yeah, he does!” Sabs nods. “You deserve the very best, Del, which has given me an idea.”
“What kind of idea?” I narrow my eyes on her warily. “The last time you had an idea, we ended up TPing Barbara House before passing out on the porch after drinking our body weight in margaritas, remember?”
“Not that kind of idea.” She flicks her wrist. “Although that was a fun night.”
“We want to meet them.” Kady crosses her arms. “Jagger and his pack. Officially.”
Sabs cracks her knuckles. From the looks on her and Kady’s faces, it’ll be more of an interrogation.
I gulp. “You do?”
“If they’re your scent matches, then we have to get to know them.” Kady’s gaze sharpens as she pulls up the calendar on her phone. “I’ll send you some dates to run by them. They all have to earn the Stella seal of approval.” She chuffs. “Not that I see Jagger meeting our high standards.”
