Page 31 of The Heat of Us

The visual was disturbing and unwanted.

“Tell you what, Aleks. I’ll give you one if you give me one.” Before I could answer, she took a courage-enhancing sip of her drink. “I chose my university course shortlist at 18 based on their proximity to an alpha.”

A million questions sprung to mind.

Where was this alpha now?

What happened after choosing her courses to stop her from going?

How did she end up doing OmegaFans?

I blinked and realised she was waiting for me to answer.

The robust spices emanating from the kitchen somehow faded away as Hazel’s soft, sweet scent wove its graceful spell around me. Summer and spring, new growth and hope.

“I spent too long trying to be who my father wanted before realising it would never be enough.”

Oh.

I had heard being around an omega could make you open up. She’d done it earlier in the lobby. Now she was two for two.

Maybe I needed to reevaluate this friendship.

Hazel seemed to realise exactly how hideous I found my accidental vulnerability and kept her word. One confession exchanged. No more, no less.

“Well, I think you’ll make a great nurse. About the only time I can stand you is when you have your nose in an anatomy book.” She grinned.

The knot in my chest loosened considerably.

“I’m just learning all the ways to murder you without anyone finding out.”

Yes, make a joke about killing your unbonded omega friend who lives alone.

Very sane, Aleks.

Hazel laughed, crooking her finger at me menacingly. “They would find your skin cells under my fingernails, you prick. And my hair would be all over your clothes. Do you know how much I shed?” Long dark hair flipped over her shoulder like a shampoo commercial. “Good fucking luck.”

I crossed my arms. “Watch less Autopsy Investigations.”

“You literally bug me when I’m not caught up on the latest episode.”

She had a point.

“Now tell me what hospital you’re doing your placement at again? Just so I can make sure the paramedics take me to a different one to get some proper medical attention when you fumble your attempt to murder me.”

I held her gaze as I picked up the little container of toothpicks on the side of the table.

“Don’t you fucking dare.”

Carefully extricated one.

“Swear to god, Aleks, I will—”

And jabbed it (lightly) into the fleshy muscle of her forearm.

“I beg your pardon!” The waitress had chosen that moment to appear with our mains. “Please don’t use our toothpicks to stab your girlfriend.”

I was horrified when Hazel sniffled up at her. “He does this all the time.”

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