Page 125 of Talk About… Rivalry

Sidney

The cute, little diner that Bennett found for us was amazing. Who could have a bad day with a stack of fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon.

The coffee didn’t hurt, either.

It had already been an amazing day. Maverick and Leo took it upon themselves to sneak onto Vance Stables property and capture my cat. From the scratches on their arms, it was a brutal fight, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it and smiling.

He’d explored the backyard for a bit before settling on his brand new cat tower in the corner, judging us all as we moved about the house like he was a king overlooking his subjects.

“Okay, so I’ve thought this over,” Leo said, putting his empty plate at the end of the table and leaning back to rub his belly.

We’d definitely ate our weight in pancakes and would be feeling it.

“And?” I prompted as I added my plate to the stack. He had all of our attention now.

“So, I think this whole dopamine decor thing could be amazing as a surprise. We get to the store, split up, and everyone gets a minimum of ten things, all items that genuinely make you happy. No second guessing. Then when we get home, we can share what we got and put it up, a decor party if you will.”

“You’re sending two omegas into a department store… alone?” Bennett questioned.

“Don’t underestimate them or they’ll brat against you,” Leo warned. Bennett held his hands up in defeat as Maverick let out a sigh.

“I’m not really the decor shopping type,” Maverick started but I threw a piece of bacon at him to shut him up.

“What the hell, Sidney?” he laughed, snatching the bacon and popping it into his mouth.

“There’s no telling me no today. You’re going to challenge yourself and deliver, Maverick Whitaker,” I growled.

He raised an eyebrow at me, staring for several beats before finally letting out an exasperated sigh.

“Fine.”

“Good boy,” I teased, earning an annoyed growl but he never lost that playful glint in his eyes.

“Are we timed?” Taylor asked, knowing Leo well enough to know there was more.

“Sure, one hour,” he offered, a grin on his face.

I couldn’t figureout the smug look on his face until we pulled up in front of the store.

Home and Nest Warehouse was… fucking enormous.

The building felt like it was half the size of Rockwood Valley. As we entered the lobby I realized just how little time an hour would be for this.

Aside from the cafe and checkout, the rest was a sea of displays and aisles packed to the brim with anything we might need.

“So, no theme, just whatever makes us happy?” I confirmed again, eyes wide as I turned back to the others.

Maverick looked downright terrified, Bennett amused, Leo excited, and Taylor and I were already overwhelmed.

“I’ll text a thirty minute and fifteen minute warning. Then one last group text for time’s up,” Leo said as he set a timer on his watch. “Time’s ticking.”

“Gah!” I yelled, snatching a cart and practically running forward, Taylor next to me until we hit the aisles and parted ways.

This was about as ridiculous as our Nerf war, but I loved it. The packhouse needed this.

My phone dinged and I narrowed my eyes, unsure if I wanted a distraction but checking anyway.

Maverick: Who wants to bet the omegas get more than ten items?

---