Page 122 of Talk About… Rivalry

“You are my thing,” I said, not stopping as I pushed open the door.

The bell chimed and an older woman in paint stained overalls and frizzy gray hair that stuck out from her ponytail greeted us.

“Welcome in,” she said, her smile wide and I couldn’t help but return it. “Can I help you at all?”

“My mate here is looking to get back into her art. We’re making an art studio at the packhouse and she needs supplies. Do you deliver?”

“Of course.” She grinned, giving Sidney a wink. “What kind of mediums are we talking?”

“We’ll need canvases, different sizes, and easels, outside of that, it’s all you, sunshine,” I said, nudging Sidney.

Her eyes were wide and startled, glancing around and already overwhelmed. Knowing this wouldn’t end without a fight, I texted the group chat we had without her, for moments just like this.

Taylor: She loved the art exhibit and I dragged her into the art store. She looks like she’s going to fight me but I’m about to clear out this store.

Maverick: Sending you money

I didn’t even have to ask and her alpha knew what we needed. She’d be less likely to fight if it was from all of us.

Bennett: Sent. Don’t let her hold back.

Taylor: That was the plan but we all know she’s stubborn.

Leo: Sent as well – and you may have to have the clerk bulk up what she picks out too.

Taylor: On it. Thanks guys. She’ll take it better if it’s a group effort

Tucking my phone away and ignoring the money they sent for now, I tuned back into the conversation.

“Oh, this is too much. I’m going to be a bit rusty,” she protested.

“Girl, let that pack spoil you,” she teased, glancing behind her to give me a wink. I nodded, grin widening as I realized she’d be more helpful than I expected.

“The entire pack chipped in for this, sunshine, they’ll be expecting you to not hold back.”

She shot a glare my way, chewing on her lip nervously, but she couldn't ignore the beta that swept her around, showing her different types of items.

I started to get nervous as Sidney got more and more overwhelmed. The beta realized, too, slowing to a stop in front of me.

“You know what, I think I have a good idea of what you want and need for this now,” she reassured Sidney. “Why don’t you let your mate discuss budget with me and I can handle the rest. I thrive on this sort of thing.”

“Actually, that sounds perfect,” Sidney said with a sigh of relief.

“Give us one second, sunshine.” I squeezed her hand before following the clerk up to the front.

In five minutes, she had my card on file and my number to contact before the final sale, and she planned to start right after we left. One glance at the budget, with my own contribution added in, and she assured me this was enough to not only resupply her, but spoil her.

That was the goal.

“All done,” I said as I met Sidney by the door, taking her hand and leading her outside. “Are you hungry?”

“Taylor.” Her voice was off and I froze, turning to look. My heart clenched as I turned to face her, worried what I might find.

She fought for words and I focused on the bond, trying to read what was going through her head.

“I don’t need you guys to buy me things. This is… too much.”

“Look, Sidney, I get it. I know how odd it is when someone goes out of their way like this, but believe me when I say we wanted to. You’ve never had someone here to spoil you like we want to or think about you in more than just basic survival things. We don’t want you surviving only, we want you to thrive and to find your own version of happiness. That’s all.”

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