Page 55 of Forget-Me-Nots and Apricots

"I'd definitely like to see them," I said sincerely. "Maybe you could show me after I finish the Sullivan wedding arrangements?"

Lucas seemed genuinely pleased by my interest. "It's a date." He immediately winced. "Not a date-date. Just a... friendly showing of tiny boats."

I laughed at his awkward backtracking. "I knew what you meant."

Lucas relaxed, grinning again. "Good. Because I really don’t want to make you uncomfortable or anything.”

"You're not making me uncomfortable," I assured him, surprised to find it was true. Despite my usual wariness around Alphas, there was something about Lucas—and if I was being honest, all four of them—that put me at ease. Maybe it was their lack of typical Alpha posturing, or the way they treated me as a person rather than just an Omega.

Lucas's smile softened. "Good. Because I think we're all enjoying having you here, despite the circumstances." He hesitated, then added, "It's been a long time since this house felt... I don't know, balanced."

I tilted my head, curious about his choice of words. "Balanced?"

He seemed to search for the right explanation. "Four Alphas under one roof can be intense sometimes. Lots of energy, lots of opinions. But since you've been here, it's different. Calmer, somehow."

I wasn't sure how to respond to that. The idea that my presence—an Omega they barely knew—could somehow balance a household of Alphas seemed both flattering and slightly concerning. Was it just my designation affecting them, or something more?

"I'm not doing anything special," I said finally, setting my empty plate aside.

Lucas leaned forward, his expression unusually serious. "You don't have to do anything special. It's just who you are." He paused, seeming to consider his next words carefully. "Omegas have a natural ability to create harmony. It's not the stereotypical stuff they teach in school—it's subtler than that. More powerful."

I shifted uncomfortably, not entirely sure how to take his words. "That sounds dangerously close to biological determinism."

Lucas laughed, the tension breaking. "Theo's rubbing off on you already. Big words and all.”

I laughed and shook my head, “I still think that two days isn’t enough time to do anything.”

Lucas shrugged, his expression thoughtful. "Sometimes it doesn't take much. Like adding a single drop of essential oil to water—it spreads, changes everything." He gestured vaguely around us. "This house has been functional for years. Efficient. But lately it feels more like..."

"A home?" I suggested softly.

"Yeah," he agreed, looking almost surprised by the realization. "A home."

The weight of his words settled between us, and I found myself wondering about these four Alphas who had taken me in. What had their lives been like before I arrived? Had they simply coexisted in this beautiful house, focused on work and responsibilities and not much else.

Our conversation lapsed into comfortable silence as I considered Lucas's words. The idea that my presence could transform their house from a functional space into a home was both flattering and intimidating. I'd spent so long maintaining my independence, keeping emotional distance from others—especially Alphas—that the thought of creating connections here felt dangerous.

"I should probably get back to my reading," I said finally, gesturing to the botanical tome in my lap. "And I'm sure you have work to do."

Lucas gave me a grin, “I probably should get back to Theo before he comes looking for me.”

He stood up, stretching his arms above his head in a languid movement. "Though I wouldn't mind being distracted by tiny boats rather than case files for a while."

"Is the case giving you trouble?" I asked, unable to suppress my curiosity about the investigation that had inadvertently swept me into its orbit.

Lucas's expression sobered slightly. "Nothing we can't handle. Just... complicated." He hesitated, clearly weighing how much to share. "Whoever's behind this has resources and connections. Makes tracking them difficult."

A chill ran through me at the reminder that someone was still out there, someone who had tried to hurt me and had succeeded in hurting others. "Do you think they'll try again? To find me, I mean."

Lucas's eyes met mine, all traces of his usual playfulness gone. "Honestly? Yes. Which is why you're staying right here with us until we catch them to make sure you are safe.”

“Thank you for telling me.” I told him, I didn’t know what they could and couldn’t tell me so I did appreciate feeling like i was in the loop.

“We will tell you what we can.” Lucas reassured me in a serious voice before taking a breath and giving me a teasing grin. "Don't get too lost in those books. If you're not out by dinner, we might have to send a search party."

I smiled, appreciating his light-hearted concern. "I'll set an alarm for five so I can remember to eat dinner."

“Speaking of dinner.” Lucas grinned, eyes lighting up as if a lightbulb going off in his head, “We're having pack time tonight. Nothing formal, just takeout and maybe a movie after. You're welcome to join us if you want."

---