Page 45 of Talk About… History

“You can’t bring all that water in here,” she protested.

“We just need a change of clothes, I’ll be out of them as soon as I find new ones. Please?” Avery asked.

The woman sighed but held up a hand still. “Give me your sizes, I’ll pick something out, then you guys can change in the dressing rooms. That way I’m not mopping my entire floor and dealing with wet merchandise.”

“Okay,” I relented, giving her my size. When she had Avery’s, too, she was off, asking questions over the racks every so often but from the look on the woman’s face, she was having fun with it. This beta’s shop was clearly something she loved.

When she stepped around with dark slacks and a maroon henley for me and a matching maroon dress for Avery, I was impressed. Both were a mix of casual and classy and when I slid on the clothes they were soft and fit as if they were made for me.

“Alright, I think I found my new clothing store,” I said as I stepped out, doing a little spin in front of the mirror. The beta was beaming, biting her lip so she didn’t get too excited.

“Here, a bag for your other clothes,” she offered, handing me one then holding one over the top of Avery’s dressing room door.

“I need help with the zipper,” Avery admitted, cracking her door and turning away. The beta gave me a smirk as I stepped forward. I wasn’t about to miss out on this moment. My knuckles skimmed her skin as I slowly zipped up the dress, her scent blooming in the air.

We were so close that our scents mingled together, her spiced cider scent and my bergamot and cypress scent blending into an earthy, spiced, aroma that made me want to snatch her up and carry her off alone… again.

But… I had to be careful here. Instead, I stepped back and let the door close behind her. She cleared her throat but said nothing as she gathered her wet clothes in a bag.

When she stepped out, I was at a loss for words. The maroon on her pale skin was gorgeous, the color making her hazel eyes shine even brighter. Her dark hair hung around her shoulders, a slight wave to it as it air dried.

“You look stunning, Avery,” I said. She blushed, the look making me bite my tongue before I said something inappropriate. I wasn’t used to holding my words back, I was blunt and outright, but if she needed me to take it easy, I wouldn’t hesitate.

We followed the beta up to the counter, and I paid for our items and I even left her a generous tip for the mopping she’d have to do. That had a cheery smile resting on her face, a much different reaction than when we’d walked in.

Avery didn’t love me paying for her, but she had little choice, her wallet was in her purse and we had to get dry.

“I’ll definitely be back,” I promised her with a small smile before leading Avery toward the door.

Ford and the doctor were waiting on the sidewalk for us, both tense and not looking at each other.

“This is going to get awkward as hell,” she groaned. “Can I sneak out back and just… not deal with this at all?”

“If you want to,” I said. She didn’t need to hear how we’d follow her to make sure she was home safe and that we’d definitely not disappear afterward, but if she needed space right now she could have it.

“Really?” she asked, her voice quiet and full of surprise.

“Who made you feel like you had to act a certain way? That’s not the first time you’ve been shocked by common decency,” I asked. My voice was hard but she didn’t hide away. A darkness crept over her expression and she let out a sigh.

“My exes.”

“Fuck them,” I said without skipping a beat. “Let me tell you something right now, Avery. We are mates. I have every intention of doing whatever you need so I can win you over. The urge I have to be close to you is strong, but the need to protect you is stronger. We won’t do anything before you’re ready.”

She swallowed hard and her hands twisted together, but she nodded once.

“Ford has my purse anyway.” With that, my omega squared her shoulders and stepped out of the shop.

Both alphas waiting perked up, eyes trailing over her from head to toe, then taking a step forward. They turned and glared at each other but she ignored them both.

“Look, it’s been a really long day already. I have to find a contractor that won’t be an asshole and try to scam me, and I have to get to the bar before opening, I need to get some shots and videos. I get that you’re all curious and want to chat, but frankly, I need to clear my mind. This is a lot and unexpected and I don’t exactly have a great history with dating.”

Ford nodded, his excitement subdued but I could see he wasn’t upset. Instead he held out her purse.

“Hand over your phone and we can start a group chat for the pack,” he said simply.

She let out a relieved breath and dug in her purse for her phone, clearing notifications and handing it over. Ford typed in his, gave me a nod to let me know he’d added mine, then handed it over to the silent doctor.

Doctor Clark frowned but input his name before handing it back, holding it tight enough she couldn’t tug it from his hands.

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