Page 65 of A Pack of Pumpkins
“She always said scent sensitivity ruined her life. I saw it as an excuse to get high.”
“So you decided it wasn’t real,” I whisper.
He nods. “Last year, our dad emailed us. Apologized for abandoning us. Doesn’t want a relationship. I’ve been… spiraling since. None of that excuses how I treated you.” His voice roughens. “My therapist is helping me see I can’t undo it. But I want to try. Every day. If you’ll let me.”
I blink. “You’re in therapy?”
He shows me bills from a trauma specialist in town. Someone my friend Cali swears by. The first date is the day after my asthma attack.
“I should’ve started before I met you,” he says, head down.
I take his jaw in my fingers and lift until our eyes meet. “It’s not irreparable.”
Hisscent deepens, bittersweet turning warm. “Can I…” He stops, then exhales. “Can I take you to the autumn festival? As a courting date?”
I arch a brow. “If this is guilt—”
“Never.” The word rumbles out of him. “You have no idea how hard it’s been not to touch you and talk to you. No idea how much I’ve wanted you since the first second.”
“You don’t know me,” I say, but my voice is softer.
“I know enough. I know you help old folks with their electronics at the Café. Feed stray cats. Smile to cover up when your nervous or upset. Love your plants like they're real people. Drink tea to read the leaves every morning.”
I narrow my eyes. “Dagan told you.”
He shakes his head. “I’ve been at the diner.”
“Yeah I know. You’re not stealthy.”
He actually laughs, full-bodied, gorgeous. “God, you’re—” His eyes lock on mine. Desire flares there, molten and sharp. “You’re everything.”
My breath catches.
“You can’t take me to the festival in the evening,” I say. His expression shutters. My stomach drops, until I finish. “Because I'm running a tarot booth there at night.”
Understanding dawns.
“But I’m free in the daytime,” I add. “If you can convince the pack.”
“I can. I will,” he vows.
I warn him about the town gossip. He doesn’t flinch.
Then he steps toward me, slow, until his hand hovers at my collarbone. His lips find mine in a kiss that’s soft but electric, over far too soon.
“Goodnight, Spooky Girl,” he murmurs.
I leave his room with my pulse pounding, a little more hopeful than I’ve been in weeks.
Clara
"I'msoexcitedaboutthe Halloween Party!" Winnie squeals, loud enough that half the café glances over.
I grin. "The guys are starting to set up this week."
"Good. That place is probably a lot to handle. Especially with where you are in your cycle. Pre-heat symptoms must be kicking your ass by now." Rose doesn’t even look up from her phone as she says this. Ironic, considering she’s a beta without a heat, but she’s the one who’s driven me to the heat clinic for my bi-annual cycle.
"Have you talked to them about your heat?" Sunny asks.
