Page 45 of Can't Be Love

“That would be fine with me,” I admitted. He smiled his approval, and it did something weird and fluttery to my insides.

“We’ll fly up in the morning then,” Thomas confirmed with his father.

We spent a little more time with the two of them just talking, before calling it a night. Once back outside, the crisp cool night air had me feeling alive and vibrant. We looked too good to just call it a night.

“Are you sure you didn’t want to go out with your sisters for a bit?” I asked him.

He seemed surprised by my question. “I assumed you weren’t ready to go public. It was only the other day you wouldn’t even walk into the deli with me, remember?”

“Yeah, well, a lot’s changed since then, I’d say. If I’m not going back with Maddie and Liam in a few days, then word’s going to spread really quickly. I’d rather control it at this point, instead of ignoring it, don’t you think?”

“Yes, I do think that’s for the best,” he confessed.

“Well, come on then. Let’s do this.” I was less certain than I sounded. My mind was made up and I knew Thomas wasn’t going anywhere. I didn’t understand why I felt so confident about us, but I did and needed to not overthink it. What I worried about the most was Sydney. I had been to the tavern and heard how proud people were to have her as their future Pack Mother. How disappointed would they be to find that role would go to me instead?

I faltered at the door. “Change your mind?” he asked.

“No, just nervous,” I admitted.

“Nervous? What do you have to be nervous about?”

I didn’t like feeling vulnerable in front of anyone, even if it meant putting up a sarcastic front to cover it, but I couldn’t do that with Thomas.

“I know how much everyone loves Sydney around here, and how they all thought she’d be the best Pack Mother ever. How disappointed will they be?”

Thomas smiled and hugged me. “Sydney would have no doubt made a fine Pack Mother, but she isn’t you and the mere fact that you are more concerned about their feelings than your own, tells me what an amazing job you’re going to do in that role. My Pack wants me happy, healthy, and strong, and with you by my side, I will be. They’re going to love you, Lily.”

I did some quick meditation breathing and nodded. “Okay, let’s do this.”

He put his arm protectively around my waist and guided me into the tavern. I spotted the girls quickly, as well as the Six Pack, but not before everyone else in the place noticed me.

It went from a vibrant, loud, music-filled room to dead silence. I looked up at Thomas, but he just smiled and ignored them all. He guided me over to his friends, who were sitting next to his sisters. The guys shook hands and I hugged the girls. Wyatt was there and introduced me to his mate, Kate.

“Don’t pay no attention to those staring rudely, Lily. I’m glad you and Thomas came out tonight. I’ve been dying to meet ya,” Kate said, and I felt an immediate friendship bloom.

The place was just starting to recover from our appearance when Sydney walked in. It was total silence once again. Sydney’s eyes met mine and she lit up and smiled, walking over to hug me.

“Girl, I sure hope this means you made the right decision,” she told me.

“I’m not sure at this moment which one that would be.”

“You here with Thomas?”

“Yes.”

“You staying when Madelyn heads back home?”

“Yes,” I confessed.

“Then you made the right choice. Welcome to Collier. Milly, a round for Lily and Thomas on me. Let those old biddies talk. We needed some good gossip around here.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re in the middle of that gossip,” I reminded her.

“Poor Sydney, lost the best thing she had going for her. Yeah, I’ve been hearing it all around town and seeing the looks, but you know what? I don’t give a shit, and neither should you.”

She wrapped an arm around me and we both stared at Thomas. She gave me a squeeze. “I’ve never seen him look so happy. That’s you, not me. I’m going to be just fine, so please don’t worry about me.”

“I love you, Syd. You’re the best,” I told her honestly, hugging her tightly.

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