Page 35 of Heat Hesitation

"There needs to be one now? What, you're packed up and too good for me?" She gasps and fake-shouts, clutching her non-existent pearls. "Nah, I'm just playing. Baby daddy's got the kids, so I'm free tonight. And Sharon called and said the gig tomorrow got canceled, and I get the day off."

She says it with a smile, but I don't miss the tightness in her eyes. She doesn't want the day off tomorrow; she needs a reliable job and a fucking paycheck.

I take the full glass of wine gratefully and cheers her glass. "To days off."

"So, how's pack life?"

"You keep saying that like it's a foregone conclusion," I narrow my eyes at her.

"Isn't it?"

I huff. "Not while they're still dating."

"Wait, what?"

I let out a tiny omega-worthy growl and lean forward, dipping into my newly restocked stash of newspaper and magazine clippings of my not-mates from the small drawer under my coffee table. More aggressively than necessary, I pass her the headline featuring Theo's devastating smile. He's so god damn pornographically sexy.

It's no wonder he's been so hot and cold with me. I'm probably the last thing he ever expected. Certainly, the last type of omega he'd ever be pictured with. He probably resents our scent-match.

"I don't get it," Mel asks, reading through the clip.

"Asher and Theo told me a couple of days ago they had an obligation through the OFA to host some luncheon to—" I lift my fingers into air quotes, "raise money for the underprivileged neighborhoods."

Mel snorts, nearly spilling her wine.

"It's not funny! Man, they were like… just starting to grow on me." After Theo left me at work a few nights ago, his words danced around my brain, further chipping away at my resolve.

Mel rolls her eyes, "And? Why don't you go, as they're omega? Did they tell you they had a date or something?"

"No… but that's not the point!"

"Did you expect them to stop associating with the OFA after you told them what happened to your family?"

"No…" Kind of.

"It's okay if you did, you know. But maybe it's a little more complicated than just not showing up anymore."

"Yeah… yeah, yes, of course, I know that. It still sucks."

"So, they're going to this luncheon that's hosted by the OFA? What's the big deal?"

"Well, Theo… ugh, he's such an ass, you know?" She stares at me blankly, so I elaborate. "He was like—" I put on my best fuck-boi cavalier lazy Theo voice, "Since you refuse to let us publicly claim you, we'll have to go stag."

Mel finally gets it and gasps. "And? They're just out there, dating, until you give up the pussy?"

This time, I'm the one who laughs and spills my wine. "No… I mean, I fucking hope not. They didn't say they were taking a date. Only that they had to go, regardless."

She smiles knowingly, "Mmmhmm… I see what's going on here."

"What?"

"They're trying to make you jealous."

"Well, clearly, it's not working."

"Clearly," she deadpans. "So, what are you wearing?"

"To what?"

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