Page 120 of Talk About… Rivalry

“They’re honestly perfect. I’m glad I found her first, I’m not sure I could handle an alpha without her,” he admitted with a laugh.

“You’re good together,” I told him. There was no jealousy, just happiness for the friend I always knew would be pack.

Fate found a way, giving him an alpha and us both an omega who could hold her own.

I got up long enough to dish myself up a bowl and snag a water bottle from the fridge before settling back next to him.

No one had stirred yet, so we continued watching the episode as I ate.

“I need help, I’m not great at dates,” Taylor said. “I asked Sidney out but then everything kind of blew up. I need something to wow her.”

“Hmm,” I mused as I thought it over. Taylor wasn’t the fancy type, and honestly neither was Sidney. She’d appreciate something casual and sweet more.

“Isn’t there a new art experience happening now?” I asked. “It’s over at the community center in Moss Hill? It’s only about a forty minute drive.”

He snatched his phone and looked it up, his grin widening as he swiped through the pictures.

“Even better, tomorrow is a weekday, meaning it will be half-empty, and it’s going on right now,” he grinned, snagging two tickets and setting his phone down.

“What else are you planning?” If I knew my best friend, he was going to go all out for her.

“I’m going to town when it’s not the middle of the night to grab us dessert and flowers so I can ask her on this date,” he said. “Hopefully, she’s up for it.”

“If not, you can probably exchange the tickets. There’s always a heat clause and this counts for her. It’s over but recovery counts,” I said.

He gave me the side eye but relaxed again.

“That’s a stretch but it’s a good point,” he huffed.

Footsteps on the stairs had us both glancing back at Sidney. Her eyes were barely open and her hair was damp. She just nodded our way before going for the kitchen. She came in a few minutes later and sat right between us, forcing us both to scoot apart.

Taylor and I leaned in at the same time, placing a kiss on her temples and making her laugh.

“Morning,” she said in a sleepy, content voice.

She ate quietly, watching the mystery unfold on the TV before the others trailed down, doing the same.

“Thanks for the food, Bennett,” I said, giving him a nod. It was kind of nice having the others here to help take care of our pack.

“Of course,” Bennett said simply, giving me a small smile before Shifting Taylor over and sitting between him and Sidney. When Maverick came in, he eyed us all before settling at her feet. Her hand went to his hair, combing through the longer locks.

It felt so simple and domestic. But as I glanced around, I knew Sidney was right. I’d built the foundation here, made sure we had a house to live in.

But it wasn’t a home yet.

We were getting closer now that we were together and Sidney wasn’t pushing us away.

As if she knew I was thinking about her, Sidney looked up at me, tipping her head back and offering me a kiss. I didn’t hesitate to dip down and capture that sweet mouth of hers.

Sidney moaned as I deepened it. Someone groaned and she pulled back, chuckling.

“Sorry not sorry,” she sang out before snuggling into my side. “Ugh, why am I still tired?”

“Because you had your first real heat and got fucked senselessly for days on end,” Taylor deadpanned. “That shit is exhausting.”

“But so fucking good,” she groaned before standing up and snagging my water bottle, taking a long pull before looking at us.

The mischief in her eyes told me she was up to something and we all watched her with rapt attention as she turned and raced up the stairs.

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