Page 72 of Gigi and the Gym Rats

Pretty tasteless so far.

“I cook,” he says and I perk up. “Healthy meals. Quinoa salads, kale soups, the best light sandwiches you’ve ever tasted.”

“That’s nice,” I say faintly. “I mean, it’s really a good thing.”

Why can’t I get excited? I lean in, trying to catch a whiff of him. Scent tells you so much, doesn’t it? Chemistry and all that.

He frowns. “Are you sniffing at me? I showered this morning.”

“Ah, no. I just… just have an allergy.” I slurp at my juice so hard I almost choke on it. “Yup.”

His scent seems to be covered up with deodorant and soap. Most betas have very subtle scents, and I can hardly put my nose to his wrist to detect it, can I?

Like you did with Casey?

Shit.

“Gigi…” He turns his mug, halfway down with coffee, until the handle points exactly to the right. Something I might do. Again, I don’t know why it annoys me. “I like you. Do you like me?”

I release the straw from my lips. “You seem like a nice guy, Ronald.”

“But? I sense abutcoming.”

“But I don’t know if this is going to work.”

“I think it could if we gave it a try.”

Nodding, I stir my juice with the plastic straw, turning the possibility over in my mind. We could, I guess. I want to sayI can’t. I’m sorry.I want to say,I need a complete break from men, I think. A break from the non-boyfriends and from potential bondmates.

Instead, I say, “Sure. Let’s give it a try.”

* * *

“I’ve made up my mind,” I tell Bee, sitting on my bed, hugging a pillow. “I’m going out with Ronald.”

“You are? Is this the new beta guy Coco found for you?”

“The very same.”

“You haven’t even said whether he’s handsome or funny or anything.”

“Not important.”

“Isn’t it? What about the guys you’re pining after?” Bee asks. “Your trainer Zayne, and Ronin, and the cute omega who moved in with you? Oh, and also that beta from the gym.”

“Whoa, who’s been reporting from the gym?” I slap my forehead. “I know, Coco and June, right?”

Bee grins. “We have our own live-action reporters. So what about those guys?”

I shrug. “Not for me. I’d have to choose one, but they probably wouldn’t choose me.”

“That’s horseshit,” Bee says.

“Bee. Language.” I stick my tongue out at her. “Anyway, we’re talking about two alphas and an omega who wouldn’t settle for one lone beta. They’ll eventually want a pack. And then there’s a beta who’s into alphas and in love with Ronin.”

“Ow,” Bee says with a wince.

“I know.”

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