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My pitiful omega heart squeals at the thought of presents and pampering. But I won’t give in. They’ll think I’m materialistic if I accept any gifts. Or selfish. I can still hear my mom muttering about “spoiled little omegas” who “sponge” off their alphas’ biologically-driven generosity.
And these are not my alphas.
Maybe if I keep forcing that thought, it will eventually sink in.
I roll my eyes to hide my conflicted thoughts. “Says who?”
There’s a slight awkward beat before Ronan’s tattooed hand snakes into my lap, planting itself on my thigh and squeezing softly. “Says me.”
Well then.
Seems dumb to argue with a man like Ronan. But the sinking shame in my stomach is hard to silence.
I shouldn’t want any of this.
I shouldn’t take any of it.
I should take care of myself.
Archer interrupts me scolding myself. “So you don’t live in town?” he inquires, neatly carving his chicken into proper bites.
Theo frowns at his food, picking all of the bananas out of his fruit salad. Archer rolls his eyes, taking the slices onto his own plate without comment.
I hide my amusement and shake my head. “I grew up with my mother, a few hours north. Then I moved to Tampa when I finished college and got a job at a marketing company there.”
“Your Master’s,” Ronan corrects, muttering. “You didn’t just finish college, little one. You have a very impressive résumé.”
Archer shoots him an annoyed look when my cheeks heat. Ronan hooks his fingers under my chin and lifts my gaze to his. The molten quicksilver blazes. “Be proud of yourself,” he murmurs. “I am.”
Before I can process why those two simple sentences flip all of my insides out, Theo interjects, a bright glow of hope in his light green eyes. “So you live in Tampa, but you have a friend who lives here, right?”
Hoping that I’ll be in town? The thought is so sweet, I automatically smile at him. “Two friends, now, if I count this big, blond dude I met in an elevator.”
Theo nods, his features serious. “Sounds like a great guy. Definitely spank bank material.”
The start of a growl rumbles in Ronan’s chest, but it dies as soon as I laugh and shoot back, “What makes you think he hasn’t already been deposited?”
The way Theo’s mouth drops open would make a great screen saver. It looks like his brain is short-circuiting. The two older men chuckle, but their scents sharpen, too.
I lean closer to Archer, drawn by the bourbon and spice. When our elbows bump, my neck flames. He offers me his shy smile, both of our gazes darting to Theo, who’s still glitching.
I look back into the quiet alpha’s dark eyes, whispering, “You’re a doctor—do we put him in rice like a malfunctioning iPhone or just hit his reset button?”
Archer’s laugh may be my new favorite sound. Warm and liquid, deeper than any I’ve ever heard. It feels true; as though it has to be earned. And I did it.
Theo pounds a giant fist into his sternum like he’s giving himself CPR. His verdant eyes turn to Ronan. “Dude, I think I’m in love.”
I know he’s kidding. And exaggerating. So why does my heart flutter like a hummingbird’s wings?
Ronan slides his gray gaze over my profile before giving his packmate a sly smile. “I think you have good taste.”
And now my heart is exploding.
Not literally, thank God, but my face is definitely bright red.
Archer’s grin grows—all perfect white teeth and over-full lips. He turns back to his dinner and continues his line of questioning as if we never detoured.
“So you’re still looking for work here?”
