Page 3 of My Begrudging Scent Matches

Date: Monday, October 30, 2024 at 2:43 AM

Subject: Re: December Release Plan

Acknowledged.

AW

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Slack DM, November 7th, 2024:

Caleb Everett

The photos on slides 7, 16, and 24 are outdated and distracting.

If you ask me.

Alice Walton

Well good thing I didn’t :)

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one

In true Manic Monday form, Alice Walton's morning bus is late. Again.

She stands in her tennis shoes, one hand drafting an email on her phone, the other stuffed in her coat digging around for her bus pass. She knows she should keep it in her wallet so it doesn’t get lost in the abyss that is her winter jacket’s pockets, but she can only expect so much of her organization. She finds the pass as the bus pulls up—seven minutes late, mind you—stowed between three receipts, a tube of lip balm, and a hair tie. She fist-bumps the bus driver on the way in.

When she’s finally squeezed into her seat beside the grumpy morning commuters, she sends off two emails and chimes in on the marketing team’s group chat about a new investor report. Then there’s the onslaught of texts from her mother.

Mom

I didn’t mean to upset you.

I just meant that it might be good for you to spend the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas at home. Why have a flexible job if you never take advantage of it?

We just miss you, sweetheart!

Alice diligently tries not to let her eyes roll into her skull at that last one. She doesn’t doubt that her family misses her, but she’s under no guise that this is the only reason they want her to spend an extended period of time in her hometown.

Mom

And who knows what could happen? Lots of eligible Alphas here to help you through your first heat.

Ah, bingo. She doesn’t even pretend like she’s not trying to set Alice up with anywhere from one to three Alphas to mate with. Her mother has made her beliefs known regarding her youngest daughter’s abysmal relationship status.

Alice

There are Alphas in Boston, too.

Not that Alice seeks them out. Ever.

Alice

Too busy to come home right now. Plus, I’m not going into heat anytime soon.

The last part is more of a manifestation than a truth.

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