Page 94 of Forget me Knot
I shake my head firmly. “Not at all. It’s unique and intriguing. I love the parallel to our world, but with that magical twist.”
Max pulls me closer, nuzzling my neck. “Thanks, Lily. Your opinion means a lot to me.”
We stand there for a moment, just holding each other, before Max speaks again, his tone more serious. “There’s something else I wanted to tell you. I’ve been in touch with my Clive-dad.”
I pull back slightly, looking up at him. “About the Trials?”
He nods, his jaw set with determination. “We’re starting to look into ways to take them down. Legally, I mean. It’s going to be a long process, but...”
“But it’s a start,” I finish for him, my heart swelling with fear for what this means for me, but I also hope that we can do this.
“I know it’s scary,” he says softly, cupping my face in his hands. “But I promise you, we’re going to do this right. We’re going to make sure you’re safe, that all omegas are safe.”
I nod, tears pricking at my eyes. “I trust you. All of you.”
Max kisses me gently, then pulls back with a small smile. “Now, how about I help you with some of these orders? I may not know much about flowers, but I can lift heavy things and look pretty.”
I laugh, the tension broken. “Well, you certainly have the looking pretty part down and those muscles are to die for. Come on, there’s a new shipment of pots that need unloading.”
As we work side by side, chatting and laughing, I’m struck by how natural it all feels. The barn, with its high ceilings and rustic charm, already feels like home. The scent of flowers mingles with Max’s bergamot and old books scent, creating a perfect blend that settles my omega instincts and nerves. I know he’s here fussing so he can watch over me, but honestly, I don’t care. I love having him in my sphere, in my workspace. It feels so right.
“So,” Max says as he hefts a large ceramic pot onto a shelf, “doing the flowers for the Summer Fair is a real coup.”
I nod, my excitement bubbling up again. “Oh, it is! It’s one of the biggest events in Keeley. It’s a lot of work, but I love it. It’s a chance to really showcase what I can do.”
Max sets down the pot he’s holding and pulls me into his arms. “I’m so proud of you, Lily. You know that, right? The way you’ve built this business, the way you keep pushing forward despite everything. You’re amazing.”
I feel a blush creep up my cheeks at his praise. “Thanks, Max. And if I haven’t told you today, I’m so proud of you for following your heart and quitting your job to do something you love. It’s awe-inspiring.”
“Nah,” he says, shrugging it off with a blush of his own. “I’m only following you guys.”
“Speaking of, do you know what time Jack will be around? There is that shipment of apple trees that need planting, and I need all the help I can get with that.”
Smiling up at him, I nod. “He said he would be back around four. He really needs to get through that council work as soon as possible so it’s ready for the fair.”
He nods. “Well, I hope he isn’t too tired. I don’t want to do something wrong, and they all die.”
Snorting, I shake my head. “It’s a tree. You plant it and water it. Not much you can do wrong. Besides, I’m here. I can help. I want to help.”
“Okay, well, if Jack isn’t back, you can supervise,” he snickers.
“Sounds like a plan! Bossing around my prime alpha, who’d have thought?”
He lets out a loud laugh. “I don’t mind being bossed around a bit. But only by you.”
The phone rings again, and as I answer, I catch Max watching me with a soft smile. This is my life now - running my beloved shop in this beautiful environment, surrounded by the love and protection of my pack. There are still challenges ahead, still fears to face. But for the first time in a long time, I feel truly hopeful about the future.
After taking an order for a scent masking infusion, I hang up and turn back to Max, I’m filled with a deep sense of contentment. “You don’t have to watch me every second of the day. You can go back to your work.”
“I know, but I like watching you work. Maybe one day we can have a quickie in here,” he says suggestively.
“You would have a quickie anywhere.”
“True. I definitely want a quickie at the fair. Somewhere, someone could walk in on us.” His tone has gone seductively low, and it sends goosebumps over my skin.
The idea of a quickie at the fair, where we could get caught, sends a thrill through me that I’m not entirely prepared for.
“Max!” I scold playfully, swatting his arm. “Someone would almost definitely see us!”
