Page 32 of Truth or Pack

"Are you just trying to get rid of us?" she asked, giving me a look to see if I was okay with all of this.

"Not at all. Yes, we are a package deal, but time with you alone is something we all could use. Especially at this stage," Holt explained.

"I don't mind, but if we come back and want to help, you can't stop us," she warned. I loved that she didn’t just give into whatever they said, she fought back. That was something they could both use in their lives.

"Fine," Holt and Ash agreed at the same time.

Taryn pulled into a spot on Main Street in front of the hardware store and we all piled out. Well Holt did a weird head first tumble, but he jumped up like it never happened and grinned as she fought back her laughter.

“Maybe a bigger car would have been a better idea,” she conceded. “Mathias and I are going to check out some shops.Call if you need us," Taryn said, giving them both a peck on the cheek.

The dumbfounded look on their faces was priceless. I wanted to take a picture but thought better of it.

When she turned back to me, I held out a hand for her, palm up, in offering. She didn’t hesitate to slide her hand in mine. A flush of pure happiness spread through me, warming me from the inside out and I knew my smile matched it, though I didn’t care.

Our girl wasn’t just giving us a chance, she was embracing this.

"Where do you want to go first?" I asked her as I pulled her close enough to breathe in that mouth watering scent of hers.

"There’s supposed to be a little bookstore here. I'd love to browse it," she said with a smile that reached her eyes.

That was enough for me to be all in. I wanted to know more of her, and this was something she was excited about. We hadn’t seen much of this side of her yet.

"If there is a shop that you want to stop in on the way, just let me know," she tacked on, chewing on her lip like she was waiting for me to be upset.

No chance, not with her hand in mine.

"I'm good with whatever. I do like books, too. If there’s a tech store, yes, I'll want to stop, but I doubt they’ll have anything like that in this tiny town.”

"You never know. I think I saw a second-hand store when I stopped for pizza, we can go in there, too. Sometimes people donate weird tech," Taryn told me.

"I'm down for that. I like all kinds of tech," I said. “Weird, little gadgets and gaming consoles included.”

"So, what else do you like to do?" she asked.

"Well, work and tech take up most of my time. I'm not too big on outdoorsy stuff," I said as she stopped in front of a junk shop.

“This is about as outdoorsy as I get,” she admitted before gesturing to the shop.

“We can go in, we’ve got time,” I said with a shrug. I think she underestimated my willingness to follow her anywhere right now.

"You ready to dive in? Some of these places are packed floor to ceiling. So, watch where you step," she warned.

It was amazing to watch Mathias dig through the stacks of old VHS players, gaming consoles, and DVD players. There was a light in his eyes as he scoured for a hidden gem. I could watch this all day but I didn't want to be a creep. But it was so cute that he was invested in finding something rare.

That and I was dying to do the same.

"Mathias, are you good here?" I asked, glancing around the store before settling my gaze back on the beta.

"Huh?" he asked, looking up from the pile he’d just started to search.

"I'm going to see if they have a book section. Sometimes there are new books that are donated. You okay if I go check it out?" I asked again.

"Yeah, just let me know when you're ready," he said, blowing me a kiss before he got back to work. I liked that he was excited to be here with me, but wasn’t hovering or overbearing like some newly packed-up mates would be.

I moved past him and headed towards the register. For some reason they always housed books near there. My heart sank as I approached the area. I didn’t see any.

There was a sweet, little lady seated behind the counter, which made it a little easier to ask for help.

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