Page 23 of Lavender and Honey

“Because she’s worth it,” I murmured softly, almost under my breath. “I don’t want to rush her. Finn and I both feel it deeply. She’s special.”

A playful grin spread across Finn’s face. “She’s got this spark, even if she tries to hide it well. I wouldn’t mind getting to know her on a deeper level either.”

Soren chuckled, his voice warm with amusement. “An Omega who’s managed to retain her independence in this town? That’s a rarity indeed... the last one was you, wasn’t it Elias? Consider me thoroughly intrigued.”

I blushed at his words, he wasn’t wrong. I had fought tooth and nail when I started courting Alphas. I didn’t want to just roll over and do what an Alpha said. I was lucky to find these three who indulged and spoiled me.

Lucian nodded thoughtfully, his gaze distant yet inviting. “If she has managed to capture both of your attentions, she must be something extraordinary. I’d really like to meet her soon.”

I reclined in my chair as memories of fleeting encounters with Lydia washed over me. “She’s quiet, but her eyes speak volumes. There’s a depth in her silence, an unspoken narrative. She treasures her art store like it’s a sacred sanctuary. I just don’t want to disturb that peace.”

Finn nodded in quiet agreement. “I noticed that too. Every time we see her, it’s as if she’s caught in a silent struggle — fighting to keep her distance while remaining inevitably curious. She absorbs everything around her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she knows more about us than we might ever suspect.”

Soren grinned broadly. “Sounds like she’s already managed to wrap you both around her little finger.”

Lucian chuckled in his inimitable way. “Seems that way. But I have to admit, an Omega with that kind of quiet strength? I’m already intrigued.”

A hint of vulnerability slipped into my tone as I confessed, “I just hope we don’t overwhelm her. She’s cautious for a reason. I can sense she’s been hurt before, and the last thing I want is for us to become another reason for her to hide away.”

Finn placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, his touch full of conviction. “We’ll be careful. We’ve managed tricky situations before, haven’t we?”

As the conversation deepened, the topics ventured into Lydia’s mysterious past, her passionate dedication to her art store, and the invisible threads that drew her to Haven’s Rest. By the time our glasses were raised in a toast, the atmosphere was thick with unspoken hopes and the promise of new beginnings.

“To Lydia,” Finn declared, a soft, genuine smile gracing his features.

“To new beginnings,” we all echoed, our voices merging in a quiet, heartfelt chorus that hinted at the start of something truly wonderful. I watched my Alphas and couldn’t help but love them all the more. They put up with my selfish wish to get to know another Omega and maybe add her to our family. I knew she would fit in with us…I can only hope that she would want to be with us…cause it was her choice in the end.

Chapter Fifteen

As Tuesday afternoon approached, I found myself in a flurry of nervous energy. I had spent the morning rearranging displays, creating the perfect space near the register for Elias and Finn's gift sets. My hands trembled slightly as I adjusted a stack of sketchbooks for the hundredth time, my mind racing with a mixture of excitement and anxiety.

The soft chime of the door opening made me jump, my heart leaping into my throat. I turned to see Elias and Finn entering, each carrying a box filled with their handcrafted wares. The sight of them, Elias's warm smile and Finn's steady presence, brought an unexpected sense of calm.

"Hi," I said softly, offering a small smile. "Welcome to my shop."

Elias beamed, his eyes taking in the space around him. "Lydia, it's wonderful," he said warmly. "I love the way you've arranged things.” I gave a grin at this. I had used the last couple daystrying to pick the best way to arrange some of my other displays out of the way to make room for this one.

"So," Elias said, rubbing his hands together excitedly, "shall we get started?"

I nodded, leading them to the space I had cleared near the register. "I thought this area might work well," I explained, gesturing to the empty counter space. "It's visible from the door, but not too obtrusive."

Finn set his box down on the counter, his movements careful and deliberate. "This is perfect," he said, his deep voice warm with approval. "It'll catch customers' eyes as they're checking out."

Elias nodded in agreement, already starting to unpack his box. "And it's close enough to the art supplies that it might inspire some creative gift ideas," he added, pulling out a selection of beautifully crafted wooden boxes.

I watched as they began to arrange their products, marveling at how seamlessly they worked together. Finn's strong hands carefully positioned the wooden boxes, while Elias artfully arranged the jars of preserves inside. Their movements were like a well choreographed dance, each anticipating the other's needs without a word.

"What do you think about this arrangement, Lydia?" Elias asked, stepping back to reveal a beautifully curated display. The rich wood tones of Finn's boxes complemented the vibrant colors of Elias's preserves perfectly. The display was eye-catching without being overwhelming, inviting customers to take a closer look.

"It's beautiful," I breathed, my eyes roaming over the artful arrangement. “It definitely sticks out and makes you pause to look at it.”

Elias beamed at my words, his honey-sweet scent spiking with pride. "That's exactly what we were going for," he said warmly. "We wanted each piece to enhance the other."

Finn nodded in agreement, his green eyes twinkling. "It's all about balance," he added, his deep voice gentle. "Just like in any good partnership."

I felt a warmth bloom in my chest at their words, touched by the care and thought they had put into this collaboration. It was more than just a business venture for a friend, but I pushed those thoughts away. I didn’t want to think about that at the moment.

As I stood there, admiring the display, a thought occurred to me. "Oh, we should probably create some kind of signage," I said, turning to look at Elias and Finn. "Something to explain the gift sets and your collaboration."

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