Page 60 of Marigold Run

“Can I go to the bathroom first?” Mari laughs at Everly’s bright energy.

“Let me take you.” Hutch holds out his elbow, bowing down so Mari can comfortably take it. Then he escorts her the five steps to the bathroom door. Everly and I quickly share a smile, trying not to laugh.

Mari steps inside the bathroom, and for a moment, Hutch stands there, staring at the bathroom door like it’s a fortress forhim to protect. I can’t help myself. A laugh erupts from my chest and Everly covers her mouth to hide her smile.

“What?” Hutch turns, looking from me to Everly. “What’s so funny?”

“You,” I say simply. “You look like a lost dog.”

Deep lines settle between Hutch’s brows as his face scrunches. “What the fuck does that mean?”

“It means you look love-struck,” Everly says in her sweetest voice.

My brother frowns, crossing his arms. “I’m not love-struck.” He scans the room as if looking for a threat.

“You always have fallen fast,” I say, teasing my stern brother.

“I like it,” Everly speaks up, defending him.

My brows shoot up, a little surprised by that. Love-struck alphas are seen as weak. Maybe even pathetic. “You do?”

“Yes,” Everly says with a firm nod. “The moment I met Hutch I knew I’d love him forever.” She slips her hand through his arm, resting it over the crook of his elbow as she looks up at him adoringly. His eyes instantly soften as they look at one another. “I was scared it would take forever for him to warm up to me,” Everly says to me, but she’s still staring at Hutch. “But when Hutch falls in love, he falls hard and fast, making you feel like nothing else in the world matters.”

I swear to god, my brother’s complexion deepens in color, but he turns away from us, hiding his face.

“You’re right about that, little beta,” I say with a snort. “When Hutch decides what he wants, he goes for it like a fucking shark in blood-infested waters.”

“You know you’re the same way.” Everly releases Hutch, turning her attention to me. Her lashes look so long behind her glasses.

“I don’t fall in love fast.” I deepen my voice to a throaty purr as I lean down. “I fell in love withyoufast. It’s impossible to go slow when the perfect woman is standing right in front of you.”

Deep warmth fills Everly’s pretty eyes. “And Mari?” she whispers, her priorities right where they need to be—with her omega.“Do you love her?”

“I love Mari so much I’m scared to think about what I’d do if someone tried to take her from us.”

“What would you do?” Everly’s voice is breathless with excitement.

“I’d fucking kill them,” I growl.

A shiver of excitement works through my beta, making her breath hitch.

“Youloveme?” Mari blurts out from the bathroom doorway, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open. I can’t tell if she’s happy by my confession or terrified, but either way, this wasn’t the way I wanted to tell her.

“Yes,” I say, standing to full height. “You are absolute perfection, omega.” I cross the room, cupping her cheek. Mari doesn’t say a word, but I swear her face is paler than usual.

“But…but…” Her eyes narrow on my face as if struggling to see me. “But I’ve only lived here a little over a week,” she says as if I’m completely ridiculous. And maybe I am, but I don’t give a shit. “You don’t even know me.”

I can’t help but laugh at that. “We have spent the last few months talking every week on the phone,” I remind her. “I know that you love chocolate and hate cabbage. I know that you're mouthy and honest to a fault. I know you’re a little wild and very determined.” I lower my voice, hoping I don’t upset her. “And while there are a lot of things about your past that you can’t remember, I’m confident I’ll love those parts of you too if you could share them.”

The deep lines between Mari’s brows melt away, replaced by what I can only describe as shock.

“I…” Mari’s throat works as she swallows hard. “I don’t…” Her eyes dart past me, I’m sure looking at Everly.

“It’s okay.” I caress my omega’s cheek. “You don’t have to say anything.” I try to soothe her, thinking about all that paperwork Havenfield gave us. “I know that it can be hard for abandoned omegas to connect with their alphas, but when you’re ready to open up, I’ll be right here.”

Mari nods, but she doesn’t look relieved. In fact, she looks terrified.Shit. Did I say too much? Not enough? Or was all of it wrong?

Hutch moves in my periphery, but I don’t look at him.

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