Page 79 of Forget-Me-Nots and Apricots

I showered quickly, letting the hot water ease the ache in my muscles while my mind continued to race. By the time I'd changed into clean jeans and a soft sweater, combed my damp hair, and headed back downstairs, my stomach was in knots. Not just from hunger, but from anticipation.

The smell of garlic and herbs guided me to the kitchen, where I found Lucas at the stove, stirring something that smelled divine. He looked up when I entered, his usual playful smile softening into something more genuine.

"Perfect timing," he said, his eyes taking in my damp hair and clean clothes. "I was just about to send a search party."

"Sorry," I replied, hovering in the doorway. "Lost track of time finishing the centerpieces."

Lucas's smile widened as he set down his wooden spoon and gestured toward the dining room. "Everyone's waiting. I made spaghetti, it is one of the dishes I know how to make without messing it up.” He trailed off, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his usually confident demeanor.

"It smells amazing," I said, moving closer despite my nervousness. "I didn't know you cooked."

"There's a lot you don't know about me yet," Lucas replied with a wink, though there was something more sincere beneath his playful tone. "I'm a man of many talents."

"So you keep saying," I teased, feeling some of my tension ease in his presence.

Lucas chuckled, returning his attention to the pasta. "Gabriel and Dakota are setting the table. Theo's probably reorganizing the silverware to be geometrically perfect." His tone was affectionate when he talked about them.

"Can I help with anything?" I asked, hoping for a task to keep my hands—and thoughts—occupied.

"You can bring this to the table," Lucas said, handing me a large bowl of salad. "I know you're nervous about the talk after dinner," he added softly, his playful expression giving way to genuine concern. "But it'll be okay. We just want to be honest with each other."

I nodded, accepting the bowl. "Honesty is good. It's just... a lot to process."

Lucas stepped closer, his eyes searching mine. "For all of us," he agreed. "None of us expected you, Vivian. But sometimes the best things in life are the ones you don't see coming."

Before I could respond, he leaned forward and pressed a quick, gentle kiss to my forehead. "For the record," he murmured, his voice dropping to a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine, "I've been wanting to do that since I first saw you."

I felt my cheeks flush at his admission, my heart rate picking up. "Is that part of your many talents? Catching women off guard?"

Lucas grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Only the special ones." He stepped back, giving me space. "Now go on, before the pasta gets cold and Dakota starts growling about punctuality."

I took the salad bowl and made my way to the dining room, where the other three Alphas were already seated around the table. The sight of them together—Gabriel at the head, Dakota and Theo on either side—made my steps falter for a moment. They looked up in unison as I entered, three pairs of eyes following my movements with undisguised interest.

"Sorry I'm late," I said, setting the salad bowl in the center of the table. "I wanted to finish the centerpieces."

"You're not late," Gabriel assured me, his blue eyes warm as they met mine. "We just sat down ourselves."

Dakota pulled out the empty chair beside him, his dark gaze intense as he watched me. "Sit. Before Lucas's pasta gets cold and he throws a fit."

"I heard that!" Lucas called from the kitchen, emerging a moment later with a steaming pot of spaghetti. "My culinary masterpiece deserves respect."

I slid into the offered seat, acutely aware of Dakota's proximity on one side and Theo's careful attention from across the table. The air felt charged, vibrating with unspoken tension and anticipation.

"The arrangements are finished?" Theo asked, passing me the bread basket.

I nodded, grateful for the neutral topic. "All done. They just need to stay cool until the wedding. I'll need to do the bouquets, but those won't take long."

"You work quickly," Gabriel observed, serving himself some pasta. "Efficiently."

"Years of practice," I replied, accepting the bowl of spaghetti Lucas passed to me. "Wedding flowers are always on a tight schedule."

"I learned that the hard way," I added with a small laugh. "Once had a bride change her entire color scheme three days before the wedding. Let's just say I didn't sleep much that weekend."

"That sounds stressful," Theo commented, his analytical gaze assessing me as he precisely twirled pasta around his fork.

"It was," I admitted, taking a bite of the spaghetti. The rich garlic and herb flavors exploded on my tongue, and I couldn't suppress a small moan of appreciation. "Lucas, this is delicious."

Lucas beamed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Told you. Man of many talents."

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