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He certainly seems concerned with my well-being, checking his Volvo’s rearview mirror every thirteen seconds. Jonah fills the gaps in conversation, giving us a play-by-play of his practice while he sprawls next to me in the back, taking up more than half of the seat between us with his massive body. Avery sits in the passenger seat, glaring at the radio every time a new pop song comes on.
On the other side of the sedan’s tinted window, I watch the world slip by. It was one of my favorite things to do, as a kid, but I haven’t driven around during the day in years. Wally always fetched me for the club after dark and usually brought me home before the sun came up.
The pack townhouse is in Orlando’s historic downtown area. I watch it give way to the suburbs—larger, grander homes and pristine lawns. There are lakes and fountains and parks and gardens. When we drive past one particularly pretty patch of flora, I press my fingertips into the cool glass.
For the first time since we left the house, Spencer speaks, interrupting my musings. “Serena, where would you prefer to go for nesting supplies? As I understand it, there are two popular stores. Do you have a preference?”
I feel like a deer in headlights, unsure how to answer or admit I’ve never been to a nesting store. But Jonah goes to work, typing away at his phone until he looks up with a warm smile. “The one on Colonial has the best reviews.”
Right. I could have looked that up. Avery gave me my very own phone days ago. It’s wedged in my fist, but I keep forgetting I have it.
While we all get out of the car, I try not to let myself wonder where Tristan is and why he hasn’t been around at all.
Maybe he’s just going to ignore me forever.
Spencer’s phone chimes, and he frowns at the screen before glancing at me. I start to ask him what he’s staring at, but my words get choked up again. It seems to happen when I get overwhelmed—and this place is the definition of overwhelming.
I’ve never been anywhere so big. It’s endless. Just yards and yards of shiny white linoleum and hundreds of rows of shelves stacked two stories high.
My body tries to freeze on the threshold, but Jonah settles his big hand over my lower back and gently propels me forward. While Spencer leads us toward a customer service desk, Avery closes in at my other side. He doesn’t reach for me, but his eyes lock onto mine.
“You good, kitten?”
I nod, but he doesn’t buy it. I get a raised eyebrow instead. He leans closer and grumbles, “I fucking hate this place, too.”
Jonah rolls his amber eyes. The sticky-sweet scent of his skin toasts a bit, but that just makes him even more mouth-watering. Especially when his fingers knead my spine through my thin silk shirt. “Give her a chance to form an opinion, Ave. Omegas like this place.”
Avery stares at him, level as can be. “Not my omega.”
Damn it, but he’s right. I hate it here. The fluorescents overhead are blinding, and whatever scent-neutralizer they pump into this place gives me a headache.
Spencer returns to our group within a few moments. He has a tablet in his hand and starts ticking things off the screen. “Pillows, cushions, stain and moisture resistant covers, bath supplies, hair products, blankets?—”
My temples throb dully as my chest tweaks tight. All three of them stare, waiting for me to say something, until Jonah’s phone goes off. He barely checks the screen before he sighs, stashing it away and reaching for my hand.
“I know it’s a lot,” he whispers, stepping close enough to block out the chaos of the store and the lights and smells. For a moment, I can only see his wide chest and inhale his toasty scent. He cuts Spencer a dirty look. “We’ll go through one thing at a time. No lists. And whenever you feel done, we’ll leave.”
Spencer watches, his pinched expression collapsing into something darkly contemplative. He keeps the troubled look on his face while we go through the first few aisles.
By the fourth, he seems more confident. He still doesn’t touch me, but he looks me in the eye and explains little tidbits of omega knowledge he’s acquired through his research.
“You’ll want at least four of those. Omegas typically require three to five blankets for their beds. I’d feel better if we selected six.”
“Choosing a variety of cushions may help you build your nest faster. Most omegas like more density toward the center and less around the edges.”
And when Jonah picks up a pillow with tassels (that, admittedly, I hate the feel of), he simply snatches it away and mutters, “Preposterous.”
Attitude aside, it’s actually sort of fascinating. If he didn’t intimidate me into silence, I’d like to ask him what he teaches at his university. Or if he’d be willing to lend me some of his books.
I can probably sneak some when they all go to work one of these days.
Avery’s the only one without a normal job, but he seems more like an accomplice than a narc. Every time I have a thought I wouldn’t want the others to hear, he’s already staring at me, smirking. Especially when we make it to the “toiletry” section of the store.
It has all the usual stuff—and I’m thrilled by the idea of a shower with the scent-masking body wash Wally always forbid. But it also has a lot of other items. Like industrial-sized vats of lube with hand pumps.
Spencer looks stiff as he adds one to the cart without comment, but Avery sends me a scorching smile, and Jonah blushes.
Which is actually adorable.
