“Humor me, then.”
“Well, before the gum…” my voice trails off while I pet Alvin, “he smelled like…opportunity.”
My eyes widen at the realization, and Piper mirrors my expression.
The Alpha I haven’t even met smells like the prospect of a future?
That’s way too symbolic and complicated for my liking.
“Wow,” Piper says. “Good for you, Maeve.”
“What does that mean?”
She shrugs and feigns ignorance. “Nothing. It’s just fun to play matchmaker for my boyfriend’s sister.”
“Hey.” I point a finger at her. “You’re not telling Averyanything.”
“Who is playing matchmaker?” Mari enters from the back of the reception area, smiling widely at me. “Hey, kiddo. Are you feeling any better today?”
I smile back. Mari and I can be thick as thieves when we want to. She has all the silly gossip, and I’m happy to lend an ear and chat with her. There are always stories for her to tell me about when she was younger, and she constantly bakes and brings in the best brownies I’ve ever had.
But Piper replies to her before I can, swiveling in her chair to face the older Omega. “Just discussing the new vet,” she says.
Mari’s eyes widen. “Oh, Doctor Logan! Have you met him yet, Maeve? Oh, I forgot, he prefers to just go by Logan. He issohandsome and sweet.” She lowers her voice to a loud whisper. “And I hear he’ssingle, too.”
Suddenly, I’m not a fan of Mari’s gossip. “I’m going to clean the litter boxes,” I stammer, dropping my purse behind the counter and petting Alvin one last time. I head to the cat playroom, ignoring Mari and Piper’s calls, and hurry past the kittens that swipe at my pant legs.
Piper has already cleaned the litter boxes, though. That’s part of the opening shift’s duties.
I just wanted to get away from the inevitable discussion of my love life that would follow.
Even with the peppermint gum, that bourbon and vanilla scent still haunts me. I want it bottled into a cologne and sprayed all over me, my pillows, and any nest I make for the rest of my life.
Moving past the row of kennels, I find the quarantine area in the back room where little Bean is kept. He’s sleeping peacefully in a pet bed, his cream back rising and falling with each deep, slow breath he takes.
“Sweet boy,” I murmur, guilt eating at me. If I hadn’t panicked, maybe he wouldn’t have to be in here resting alone.
The faintest scent of apples and caramel swirl around the back room, and my heart warms at the thought that Ivan was here earlier, checking on Bean.
Ivan.
I plan to go over on my lunch break to introduce myself to Logan, and luckily, Ivan is working today, too.
Seeing two delicious smelling Alphas at once? My inner Omega is beyond excited.
So excited, in fact, that a warning cramp flutters in my lower stomach.
I freeze.
I’ve been taking my suppressants on time—I’m not perfect about it, but I take them within a couple days of any missed dose. Another Heat isn’t due for a while, but I recognize that warning sign.
The sign of my inner Omega sayinghey, remember me? My womb is empty; could use something to stuff it with.
I shake my head and snap my gum.
Now is not the time to worry aboutthat.
There are social media accounts to update, inventory to organize, and claws to be trimmed.
