Page 19 of Same Difference
Nory was a confidence booster, naturally. Omegas were just like that. She’d known Nory was special from the moment she’d seen her.
Delta had friends back in her old Pack, but none that she really missed. Not like she’d missed Nory’s presence over the past couple of weeks. Maybe it was because Nory was a rare human Omega that calmed the inner wolves inside of shifters like her, but she also thought it was just Nory. She was kind of just…magic.
There was a little bouquet at the very edge of the display case, and it had lilies in it. Lilys were Delta’s favorite flower.
She could see the price from here, and it was on some kind of sale.
Feeling reckless, she gestured to Nory that she was going inside and then pushed the door open to her own sound of the dinging bell overhead.
It smelled like heaven in here. If there was a perfume that smelled exactly like a flower shop, she would’ve been the first in line to buy it.
Delta looked around, noting the different flowers and plants, and then pulled the small bouquet out of the cooler display case and brought it to the check-out counter.
“I saw you looking at the seed packets over there,” the cashier said. She looked to be in her late fifties or early sixties,and had straight gray hair, and purple glasses on her face. Her smile was easy and genuine. “I have flower bulbs over on that rack.”
“Oh, I think I’m okay. I like gardening. I don’t usually do a lot of flowers though. More vegetables.”
“I’ll tell you what. I’ll throw in a carton of bulbs with your bouquet,” the woman said. “It’s been a while since I had someone come in here and look at the flowers the way you just did. You were smiling the whole time.”
Surprised, Delta looked over at the stand of bulbs. The man who had come in here earlier was standing near them, typing something into his phone.
“I’ve…I’ve actually had a rough week and that is the nicest thing to offer. Any bulbs?”
“Well, it looks like you like lilies. Those are on the bottom. I have three colors. Pick any you want.”
Her heart touched, Delta made her way to stand by the man and made a careful choice. There was a combination pack of pinks and oranges. She didn’t know where she would plant them yet, but she had a couple of months yet to get them into the ground before they bloomed for the spring.
“Hi, you,” the man greeted her.
She smiled politely and ducked her gaze in case her eyes were too bright.
“I already saw your eyes,” he murmured low. “It’s been a while since I saw one of you.”
“Right,” she said politely. “Have a nice day.”
She brought the little carton of lily bulbs to the counter, and as she paid, the bell dinged over the door. Nory was in here now, chattering about a pair of hair appointments she was able to secure last minute for them.
She could feel the man in the flower store watching her, and before she left, she gestured to the small bouquet in his hands. “Lucky lady.”
“My daughter,” he explained. “No lady for me at the moment. My kiddo has a dance recital tonight.”
“Oh.” She smiled at him. “That’s lovely. She’ll love those I bet.” She waved and made her way to the door but halted at a sign she read near the handle.
Now hiring.
“Um,” she said shyly, turning for the cashier. “Are you still looking for help?”
“Actually, yeah. My daughter has helped me run this place for years, but she is moving out of state next month. I’m scrambling a little bit.”
“Oh.” A wave of shyness washed over her as the cashier turned her attention to checking out the man’s bouquet. Right. She should leave and get a breath of fresh air.
But when she pushed open the door and heard the sound of that pretty bell, she froze.
“I’m a werewolf,” she said too loudly.
The woman jerked her attention up to her. “Okay?”
“I guess…” She cleared her throat. “I guess I was just wondering if you would ever consider letting a werewolf work for you. I mean, you have to sign extra liability paperwork, and there are a few hoops to jump through to bring me on officially, so I totally understand if you don’t want to mess with the hassle.”
