Page 13 of Talk About… Rivalry

She rolled her eyes. “She’s so stubborn.”

“Patio or inside?”

She was already walking to the side door. “You know I can’t be inside for long. It’s against my nature. Plus, out here I get you all to myself.”

My chest tightened at her words and fuck, I wish they were true. Omegas didn’t come together often but I wanted this woman more than anyone I’d ever met.

“Always,” I agreed, detouring to the soda fountain and filling up her favorite drink before joining her. “The usual or something new?”

It wasn’t often she was adventurous, but sometimes she felt the urge to try a special or tell me to pick. I loved those days. It felt like she was trusting me with something important, a true connection even when I craved more.

“It’s been a rough week, why don’t you pick for me?” she asked, her hopeful eyes turning their full power on me. I swear I’d agree to anything with one look from this omega. She had no idea just how powerful she was.

I already knew her dislikes so I nodded, tucking away the ticket book and studying her.

“Everything alright?”

“Yes? No? Ugh, I don’t even know,” she groaned. “I had an awful date and then this whole horse situation, and then my dad made me go back into his house and I hate walking in that place.”

The last bit caught my attention. Why would she hate going into her childhood home?

“The house you grew up in?” I asked carefully. I didn’t want to scare her off but this was the most she’d really told me about herself.

“Yeah,” she said, glancing out over the lake. Her eyes were unfocused and I wasn’t sure she even realized she was still talking. “After my mom left us it never felt the same. Dad was just... gone, too.”

Her words were full of so much pain that I wanted to pull her into my chest and wrap my arms around her. This wasn’t the usual Sidney. It felt like I was getting to see a new vulnerable side of her, one she didn’t show to just anyone.

I sat down next to her and she blinked over at me. Her eyes were glassy but she put a smile on her face.

“Sorry, that was dramatic. I’m fine, just a long week,” she said, her usual feisty attitude making a quick comeback. “Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?” I asked, shaking my head at the quick change.

“With pity,” she said as she wrinkled her nose at the idea.

“Not pity, empathy, you should try it sometime,” I said, standing up so I could put in her order now that the moment had apparently passed.

“Ew, emotions, no thanks,” she snorted. I had a feeling she took that statement a bit too seriously. “Now feed me, Taylor.”

“Fine, but you’re getting dessert today, brat,” I countered, giving her a wink and walking away.

From the strange encounter, I had a feeling it was a ‘comfort food’ type of day. After writing down her order on the ticket Iwent for the dessert fridge, pulling out a ‘chocolate bomb’ as my mom so eloquently named it.

Nothing fixed a sad omega quite like gooey chocolate treats, right? It always helped me.

I warmed it up and plated it with extra whipped cream before walking outside.

“Food order is in, but it feels like a ‘dessert first’ kind of day.

“Ugh, marry me, Taylor,” she gushed as I slid it across and the scent of warm chocolate filled the air.

Again, I wished I could scent her. Did she wear blockers for a reason? At first I wondered if it was for the horses’ benefit, but after some online searches I’ve ruled that out.

“You wish, Sidney,” I said, giving her a grin. “But you can let me take you out on a date.”

She blinked at me, just as surprised as I was. Then she laughed and dug in, not giving me an answer. I swear this stubborn omega was the queen of avoidance.

Taking that as my answer I let it go. For now.

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