Page 69 of Packed Up In Vegas

“You’re having fun. I don’t want it to end too early.”

“You don’t have to spoil me, Miles.”

“But I want to.” I lifted our joined hands and kissed her knuckles. “I’m the only one of our group who gets to court you in the traditional sense. I’m not going to waste the opportunity.”

“You don’t have to court me. I’m kind of a done deal.”

I shook my head insistently. “I’m never going to take an omega for granted, and I will kick the ass of any pack member who leans in that direction. Just because you’re bonded to one of us doesn’t mean you don’t deserve all the fun of courting.”

“I’ve never been courted before.”

“Why not? You were with your ex for years and he never courted you in the beginning?”

Callie shrugged. “Jerry and I met in university, and things were casual until they weren’t. I think I was just convenient, to be honest. He didn’t put effort into much, and I never really thought to question it, I guess.”

“And what about your crush you had on your twenty-first birthday? That was within the timeline of you being with your ex, isn’t it?”

“We were on a break,” she explained. “We’d been split for about two weeks, and as soon as this classmate found out I was single, he started to lay it on really thick. I think I was just really depressed, thinking about spending my birthday by myself, so I didn’t say no when he asked me. Jerry showed back up in the picture about a week after that and I went back to him like an idiot.”

“You are far from the only person to stick around in a lackluster relationship.” The gondola came to a stop and I helped her out of the boat, wrapping my arm over her shoulders as we started to wander. “Did you have anyone in your life to show you what a good relationship actually looks like?”

Callie was quiet for a moment. “Not that I can think of. Everyone had friction or terrible taste. No one had relationships I’d consciously wanted to emulate, though I guess I did anyway.”

“It’s hardly your fault when you fell into the same pattern everyone around you was also in, right?”

“You’re making me feel a lot better about wasting eight years of my life on an asshole.”

“I prefer to think of it as a learning opportunity rather than a waste. Mostly, I just want you to accept that we’re going to give you better.”

“I’m not sure I know what to do with better.”

“You’ll get used to it in time,” I promised. “I plan on giving you plenty of practice.”

We spent a lovely couple of hours wandering the hotels along the Strip, sticking mostly to the ones that connected so I didn’t have to take Callie into the heat. I’d forgotten how exciting the city could be for people who didn’t experience it every day. Watching her marvel at the art exhibits and sumptuous decor, dragging me excitedly into selfies whenever she found something she loved, was cute as hell.

My phone rang and I sighed, seeing Kyle’s name on the screen. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart, but I’ve got to take this call really quick.”

“You go right ahead. I’m gonna check the shark reef times while you’re busy.”

I answered the call, immediately regretting it.

“Miles, what the fuck is going on with the schedule?”

I didn’t have to guess what he meant. I’d been rearranging things to push the pack further and further down the calendar to keep them off the stage while we figured everything out. “I had to reschedule some things.”

“Yeah, I can fucking see that. Why is Kai still on the payroll?”

“Because he’s still contracted? Or were you planning on firing him for bonding someone?”

“Well, he sure as hell can’t do the rest of his contract, can he?”

“It’s illegal to fire someone for taking a bondmate,” I pointed out, voice firm and the edge of a growl sneaking in.

“Fuck off. You know half of what we do isn’t legal.”

“I’m just trying to give everyone time to figure out what’s happening.”

“We don’t have time. Amir and Diego need to stay on the schedule. Stop playing favourites and fucking around everything for your pack, or you’ll be on the chopping block instead.”

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