Page 139 of Gigi and the Gym Rats

“He’s a pretty accessory, isn’t he?” Dawn gives a wry smile. “I like to take him with me to parties dressed to match my dress.”

“Mom!” Zach is shaking his head. “Jesus.”

“I can see why. He’s taken after his father,” Gigi says and I almost wince, but Dawn’s smile widens.

“He sure has.”

“And he also has something of you,” Gigi goes on. “Your eyes. And I sense a dash of determination, too.”

Dawn nods. “Stubborn as a mule.”

“A good trait,” Gigi says. “Good job.”

“Thanks. And I like your pack,” Dawn says. “Good choices.”

“Oh, it wasn’t a choice, really. More like a punch to the guts.” Gigi snickers. “Or an avalanche.”

“That’s how it feels, isn’t it?” Dawn nods again, her smile going soft. “When you meet the right person.”

I tense again, glancing at Gigi, but she only looks curious.

“You’ve felt it, too? With Zayne?”

“Zayne? Oh, perhaps. We were so young then, you know. We didn’t know what love really was, I don’t think. No, I haven’t felt that way yet.”

I try not to take it personally, this hit to my pride, but it’s just pride, because she’s telling the truth. We only fooled around back then. I had no idea what love really felt like.

You don’t know it until it happens to you, until it grabs you and flings you down the mountain.

Avalanche.That’s a good description.

“Come here.” Dawn takes Gigi’s hand and draws her into a small hug. “I’m so happy to meet you. I hope we can become friends.”

“I’d like that,” Gigi whispers and hugs her back, her chin falling on Dawn’s shoulder. “Let’s be friends.”

Thank fuck.The tension is gone so suddenly I swear my ears pop. My grin is so big my cheeks hurt.

“Well, then!” I rub my hands together. “Let’s have dinner. Can’t wait to see what Casey cooked.”

“I’m going to experiment on you,” he warns with a smirk. “Trying out some new recipes.”

“I have no fear when it comes to your cooking,” I say. “Everything you cook is delicious. This won’t be any different.”

And I fucking love that I know that about him, that I know he’s going to blush and say nothing and give that pleased smile.

He’s my omega, he’s ours, and he rocks in so many ways.

39

GIGI

Dinner is good, and I’m not talking about the food which is absolutely delicious, at least as much as I can tell, because I’m still nervous as hell. My tummy has been twisted up since Zayne asked if we would like to officially meet his ex and his son. His son I knew of course. It was the ex I was all torn up about.

I know, I need to be more confident—both in myself and in this pack. We were just talking about bondmarks, for chrissakes. Of course I trust them, of course I’m confident in us.

And yet looking over the table at her, over my still full plate of seafood lasagna and delicate cabbage salad—who knew Casey was practically a Michelin chef?—I’m still working to relax myself. After all, she was his partner for years. They have an amazing son together. They’re still friends. One hears stories of couples getting back together once in a while.

Dawn.That’s her name. And whenever he smiles at her, I feel a tightening in my stomach.

---