Page 78 of Talk About… History

“I’d like to meet her eventually,” Avery said, looking shy now. “I hope she likes me.”

“She’ll love you like I do,” I promised. “She’s never put much stock in packs after being a single mom, but she’ll be happy for us. If you make me happy, and you do, she’ll be on board.”

“That’s reassuring,” she said, her tension unknotting just a little. “I want you guys to be as happy as you make me. I need to step up my game.”

“It’s our job to court you,” I reminded her but she rolled her eyes, letting out a sarcastic laugh.

“Fuck that. I love that you spoil me, but I want to do the same to you guys. I need to learn your favorite meals and treats, what makes you happy, all the things,” she said.

“Well, I’m a sucker for anything caramel flavored. I hate dark chocolate and have way more of a sweet tooth than I have any right to have as a doctor,” I said.

“Good, because I love to bake when I’m working through things in my head. I think with this job and all these changes, you’ll get to taste test plenty.”

“As long as I also get to taste you,” I teased, loving the blush that tinted her cheeks even more red before we were interrupted.

The staff rushed in, offering bread and salad and taking our orders, including non-alcoholic drinks as well, before we were alone again.

I could spend a lifetime listening to Avery talk. She lit up when talking about work and this town. She was opening up more each time we spent time with her and I was happy today took a turn that led to this date.

She had been hiding behind her work and I knew part of that was her passion for it, the other part was running. I hoped today and tonight, and the dates and nights with our pack to follow, would convince her that she didn’t have to run.

We were here for her in every way, we’d support her and show her that we were never going to hurt her like they did.

Our pack was already in love with her, and the moment she said the word, we’d be hers forever.

Avery

This was the most painful interview I’ve done in this town so far. The woman across from me was so stiff it looked like her spine was made of steel. Her face was pale and stricken. Honestly, she looked downright terrified of me.

“Okay,” I said, shutting off the video. She startled, her eyes blinking owlishly at the sudden change. This was definitely not going as smoothly as making videos with my brothers last night, but I knew not everyone was happy to be on camera. It was time for a new approach.

“Is something wrong?” she questioned, hands twisting into her skirt.

“Not exactly,” I hedged, trying to be as gentle as possible. “It just seems that this interview style might not be the best thing for you.”

Her entire body sagged in relief. “Oh, thank god! This was so bad. I just... I can’t. My anxiety doesn’t do well with things like this.”

“Okay, let’s try something else. Maybe a voiceover while I do a tour of your place. Do you want to try that? Then it’s just you talking, and I can always do a montage of photos. Maybe we can pose you for the background photo on the blog page or something so they recognize you when they come to the shop.”

“Oh, that sounds much better,” she said emphatically, standing up and shaking out her limbs.

“Here’s the microphone. I want you to talk into this, and I have one myself. I’ll be able to work on the audio later, but I’m going to start taking footage of the shop and asking a few questions.”

I was trying to explain every step of the way so it would be a little less stressful for her. The last thing I wanted to do was traumatize the citizens of Rockwood Valley, when I was trying to build them up

She watched as I started my walk through the small shop. Mariana made her own pottery here—everything from teapots to mugs, vases, to bowls and plates. She had a little bit of everything.

Each piece was unique and hand-painted, with designs ranging from little mushrooms to seasonal things like pumpkins and ghosts.

Honestly, I would love to have a set in my own kitchen—something I’d have to remember after the interview was over.

“Mariana’s Pottery Nook is an adorable shop set in the center of town. There’s a little something for everyone here, no matter your tastes.” I paused for a second, standing in the doorway and taking in the whole room, avoiding the section where we’d set up earlier and Mariana was still sitting, waiting patiently.

I introduced her in the voice over, hoping she’d catch on, before finally asking her a question.

“Tell me, Mariana, how did all this come about? How did you get into pottery?”

“It was something my twin sister and I got into when we were teens. The local high school offered a class, and that was it for me. My sister loved it, but she was too much of a perfectionist. Any small thing, and she was ready to throw in the towel.”

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