Page 38 of Talk About… Trouble

He tossed me a flirty smile, knowing exactly what I was doing, but his attention was still on stage as they did another song.

The food was dropped off between the next set and we both dove in. It was the usual pub food, but damn, it was good. Just as spicy as this whole performance was.

“Honestly, this is the best date ever,” Devon said as he leaned in, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “Thanks, alpha.”

“No thanks necessary,” I said. “I’m courting my omegas.”

His cheeks burned a gorgeous pink as he stuffed a fry in his mouth to avoid the heavier moment.

Then the stage was lighting up again and our conversation was done for now. That was fine, a whole day of simply admiring my gorgeous omega was fine by me.

When the brunch came to an end and we stepped back out in the sunshine, I wasn’t quite ready to let him go just yet.

“Anywhere else you’d like to go?” I offered. He looked up and down the unfamiliar street. We’d had to drive out of town for this.

“Maybe back to Rockwood Valley and we can swing by the bakery for dessert? I could use some chocolate but for some reason my omega is antsy being too far from Wren.”

He rubbed his chest like there was an ache forming there. They hadn’t bonded, but they were as close as you could get without bites so that had my alpha on edge.

“Of course, let’s head back. Why don’t you text her and check in?” I offered as we climbed in my truck. I secured his seatbelt and mine, before navigating into traffic.

She still hadn’t answered by the time we hit the highway. At this point, the sun was starting to dip lower and my alpha was more and more on edge.

“Call her,” I said, more than suggesting.

He nodded, chewing on his lip as he tapped at his phone. It was on speaker so the ringing filled the cab. My heart was slamming in my ribcage as I waited for her voice, but it never came.

We were only an hour away, but if she didn’t answer by the time we reached Rockwood Valley, we’d be making a detour to the sanctuary she worked at. Harding Farms wasn’t too far from Whitaker Ranch, I knew the way well.

Then the phone rang and I found myself pushing harder on the gas.

Our omega needed us.

Wren

Earlier That Same Day

It had been a week of shifts at Harding Farm and Sanctuary and I was in love. My grumpy boss wasn’t a micromanager, which was a huge bonus. He caught me up when I arrived then I didn’t see him except for his random water breaks and food reminders.

I even found a pack of cookies and a new coloring book on my desk after fighting with Mabel to take her insulin. It might have been gratitude, but it felt a whole lot like he was taking care of me and I liked it more than I cared to admit.

The coloring book was the real green flag. I had them stashed here in my office and a few out in the other barn with a small pack of markers for days when I was hanging out with the smaller animals. I doubted he knew I used them to keep my anxiety down, but it was appreciated all the same.

My pen was flying over the paper as I added medicine doses and information to the charts for today. A knock on the door hadme glancing up into that grumpy but gorgeous face that drove me crazy.

I wanted to see him smile so damn bad. Not the polite smiles he sometimes offered, but the kind that lit up his face, eyes dancing with amusement, lines crinkling on the edges.

“Hey, Boss,” I said, offering a smile of my own. His eyes darkened slightly and he cleared his throat.

“Could I get some help? Braxton, the vet, is swinging by to check out Astrid…” he trailed off, like he couldn't figure out how to explain what he needed.

“And Astrid is Astrid, so you need help?” I guessed with a chuckle. “I’ve been spending the better part of this week trying to get on her good side and you’re about to ruin it, aren't you?”

He huffed out a laugh. “Probably, but I’ll pay you back with dinner. Braxton usually joins me when he swings by, so I have a crockpot going with some chicken and dumplings if you’re interested?”

It wasn’t a date, he was being nice, I reminded myself. As much as I’d love to be home with my omega, it could wait a few hours. I wanted to be on my boss’ good side and honestly, it might be nice to relax after a wrestling match with a feisty alpaca.

“Count me in,” I promised. “Is he on his way now?”

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