Page 12 of Crushes and Confections

“None,” Riley shrugged. “But I know Vance has great taste.”

He gave me an over the top pointed look, clearly referencing the attempts Vance had made to include me this past week.

In all honesty, I was extremely busy. Vance, the kind alpha he was, decided to let me know that he was just going to become my most loyal customer ever so we could get to know each other more.

He was absolutely gorgeous, but it was that balance of assertiveness and understanding that had me thinking of him as I lay in bed at night, images of him and Riley, of us, entwined in bed together.

Sure I had my toys, but I had never been with an alpha before, and it was more than just my curiosity that made me think of him more and more. My only prior experience was with a couple of tourist betas, one who I had dated briefly on his extended stay, and I realized very quickly that no one could measure up to Riley in that regard.

“You don’t think it would be weird?” I asked Riley. “All of us together? I mean if we do this and we both date Vance and his partner, we’re bound to wind up in the same bed together at some point.”

“It wouldn’t be the first or fiftieth time we’ve slept in the same bed, Claire,” Riley said, reaching out and pulling at one of my curls that was peaking out beneath my scarf.

“It’s different and you know it. Don’t be cute with me right now Riley Ortiz. I’m being serious.”

“I can’t not be cute, Claire,” he pouted. “That’s physically impossible.”

“Ri—“

“I don’t think it would be weird at all,” Riley said, finally dropping the humor he often hid behind. “You’re my best friend in the entire world Claire, my other half. Anything that makes you happy and brings you joy or pleasure is going to do the same for me.”

“You really want this? Us to try finding a pack together? Even if I’m…me?”

“Especially since you’re you,” he confirmed. “There is no other woman or omega I’d want to pack up with Claire.”

He paused, his breath catching in his throat momentarily and something passed between us that wasn’t there a moment ago. Before I could ask him more he looked down at his boots, blowing out a rough breath. I’d never seen him look so serious.

“Hey,” I said, knocking my shoe against his boot to get his attention again. “I can tell you’re being sincere about this and what you said means a lot to me. I’m down to give this a try if you are, Ri.”

My words had my favorite beta perking right up and throwing his arms around me in a hug that put even my coziest blanket to shame.

There were different kinds of omegas, sure, but I was one that craved physical touch and it was these life affirming hugs that made me realize that even if Riley was never attracted to me in that way, that it didn’t lessen the relationship we had. We both loved each other with our whole hearts and that was something to be embraced. We would find our way through this, together.

“I won’t make you regret this, Claire Bear. I promise. I’ll be the best pack mate ever and lord knows we need an alpha like Vance to help keep us in line. He’s going to have his hands full with us but I know for a fact he wouldn’t want it any other way, he’s basically told me as much. Hopefully this husband of his is up for the task.”

“Woah there lover boy, I haven’t even been on an official date with him yet,” I said with a laugh.

“You’ve been having mini day dates all week, don’t you even try to deny it,” Riley countered, the amount of joy radiating off of him contagious. “Say you’ll come to dinner tonight. I want us to start this on the right foot together.”

I mentally cataloged the list of orders I had to fill, including the prep I needed to do for the Dates & Delicacies Auction this weekend. It would be tight, but if I focused and buckled down I could get out on time and be able to duck home and clean up beforehand.

“I’ll try my best,” I said, nodding my head. “But that means you need to get out of here and stop distracting me oh sassy one. Shoo, I’ve got treats to make.”

“Yes, my omega pack mate supreme,” he said, backing away with a laugh.

“If you try to make that nickname happen then I’m going to change my mind,” I warned him, holding up my spatula threateningly.

“So bossy,” he grumbled good-naturedly. “Love you, Claire Bear. See you tonight! Wear that cute emerald wrap dress I bought you for Christmas.”

My heart swelled further at his words as I watched him slip back out the backdoor, more content than I had been in a long time. Sometimes a change in perspective was all one needed.

Getting back into kneading dough after my encounter with Riley was not quite as easy as I anticipated. My thoughts kept drifting back to his face when he’d gone quiet. Something was going on there, something he was holding back, and I was dying to know what it could be.

I trusted Riley and knew he wouldn’t say all this, get my hopes up, just to back away. He truly believed we could make this work and I wanted to believe him too.

“Claire, we just sold out of the chocolate covered brownie hearts again,” Bailey called out. She was another of my loyal workers and right now, looked like she could use a break.

“I’ll handle it. Go have Corey switch out with you and take ten.” Her shoulders sagged in relief and she rushed off after giving me a grateful smile. The last thing I wanted was for them all to burn out when we still had four days to go before the big auction.

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