Page 13 of The Flavor of Us

I open my mouth to argue, but the words die on my tongue because…damn it, she’s not wrong.

I’ve spent so much of my life surrounded by connection, by people who’ve filled in the cracks and made me feel whole. I’vethrivedin it. And the thought of Carleen thinking she’s not enough for me—it guts me. Because sheis. She’s everything. But that doesn’t mean she’s wrong about the other parts of me.

“I don’t know how I never saw it before. But you, Tati… you want to be cherished. You want to feel loved, like reallyloved.You want to be the center of something—of someone’s world.” Her hand moves up to cup my cheek, tilting my face gently until I’m forced to meet her gaze. Her brown eyes are warm and unyielding, locked onto mine with so much care it makes my throat tighten. “And sunshine,” she continues, her voice softer now, “I know I can’t give youeverythingyou need. I can’t beeveryoneyou need.”

I open my mouth to argue, to tell her she’s wrong, that she’s enough, that she’s more than enough—but she presses her thumb lightly against my lips, silencing me.

“It’s okay, Tati,” she whispers. “It’sokay.”

The words wash over me, gentle but firm, and I let out a shaky breath as my eyes flutter shut for just a second.

When I open them again, Carleen’s leaning closer, her lips brushing lightly against the tip of my nose in a kiss so sweet it makes my chest ache.

“We’re aligned, Tati,” she murmurs. “When it comes to family, when it comes to love—we want the same things. To be happy, to build something solid, somethingreal. And whoever comes into our lives—ifsomeone comes into our lives—I’ll make it work. Because I want this. I wantus.”

I can’t breathe. I can’t think. I nod—because speaking feels impossible right now—and Carleen smiles before pressing one more kiss to my forehead.

“Sleep on it, Tati. We’ve got forever ahead of us.” She stands, heading to the kitchen and I’m 99% sure she has no idea what she just said. Like it is just that easy, as if every bone in her body wants this. I stand and move to grab some of the dishes as she waves me off. “Tati, you’ve been driving all day and you haven’t gotten a chance to rest. Go. Sleep. I’ve got this.”

My cheeks heat and she just laughs, somehow clocking every last thought in my head. I let out an exaggerated sigh. “I take it back. This isn’t wonderful. You’re too perceptive.”

“And that’s exactly what you want, though, isn’t it, sunshine?” Her brow raises as her tone deepens and I scurry off down the hallway before I make a fool of myself. That’s when the real fun begins as I start unpacking my nest and setting it up.

There’s a small corner of the closet that’s absolutely perfect, one that I can close away during the day so that it isn’t in the way. Tomorrow, I’ll show Carleen my favorite spot. Tonight, this is just for me.

I stack the pillows against one corner, drape the blanket over them, and then tug one of Carleen’s old sweatshirts I stole. I stuff that in the corner and add a few more small touches until it feels likemine.Likehome.

I sink down into the makeshift nest, pulling the blanket tight around me as I bury my face into the sweatshirt. The faint scent of rain and peaches surrounds me, my shoulders finally relaxing.

For a while, I just lay there, staring at the faint crack of light coming through the bottom of the bedroom door. My mind races, jumping from Carleen’s words to the weight of her hand on my cheek to the soft kiss she pressed to my nose.

And then, somewhere in the haze of exhaustion and warmth, my thoughts drift to the future.

To a house full of noise and laughter. To a pack—maybe not a big one, but something solid, somethingours.To Carleen standing in the kitchen, cooking while kids run around her feet. To lazy Sunday mornings wrapped up in a bed too big for two people but just right for more.

Tolove.

And somewhere in the middle of those thoughts, I drift off to sleep, wrapped up in blankets and hope and the faint, lingering scent of my Alpha.

Chapter seven

CARLEEN

The sound starts low, like an annoying hum in the back of my mind, and then grows louder. Repetitive. Annoying. And it’s starting to piss me off.

It drags me out of the best sleep I’ve had inmonths.Maybe evenyears.My bed is still warm and the faint smell of Tati lingers in the air—sweet melon and something sharp and uniquelyher.But the infernalbeep-beep-beepkeeps slicing through the peace.

I crack one eye open.

It’s still dark outside. The faint glow from the hallway nightlight spills across my bedroom floor and I swear to the goddess herself if that alarm goes off one more time—

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I groan, throwing myself from the bed, and march down the hallway. It dawns on me a little too late that I’m only wearing thelarge shirt I wear to bed but Tati has seen worse, I’m sure. When I reach Tati’s door, I don’t knock. Oh no, I’m way past knocking. I twist the knob and push it open, fully prepared to storm in and shake her awake or at least chuck the offending alarm clock out the window.

But I stop dead in my tracks because… what thehellam I looking at?

The alarm is still screaming from somewhere in the room, but it barely registers becauseTati is in the closet.

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