Page 100 of Sunshine

Joy bubbled up inside me. We strolled through the aisles, adding more games to our stash until we agreed we had enough, and headed to the checkout.

Julian tried to pull out his wallet, but I gave him a look. “Let me.”

“You don’t have to.” Julian kissed my cheek. “I loved coming here with you.”

“I want to.” I paid for our loot, and we toted the bags back to the car. Julian was beaming. The amount of joy I felt, knowing I made him that happy, was ridiculous.

I directed him Twine and Egg, a special goods store that catered to omegas. The name was a little pretentious and someof the stuff they carried was ridiculously overpriced, but it had a wide range of linens, clothing, and other supplies. My family like Twine and Egg’s selection much better than Bedding Best, which ended up feeling like a supermarket every time we walked inside.

Twine and Egg was big, but felt homey with comfortable nooks of bedding, furniture, clothing, and odds and ends. There were bright colors, neutrals, and electric patterns. I liked bringing Stella, Luna, and Ember here because they loved the variety of stuff to look at, and it always felt like a flea market. A really high-end flea market, but one nonetheless. Maybe they just loved the hunt through the textures and colors of the textiles section of the store.

Julian wrapped his arm around my waist again once we got inside the store, and I loved that he seemed incapable of not touching me.

“Babe, not that I don’t love being here, but I have more sheets, pillows, blankets, and clothes made from omega-friendly fabric than I know what to do with.”

“That’s fine.” I gave him a kiss on the cheek. “What about me? Should I get some sleep shirts or something?”

Julian leaned over and whispered. “Who says I’m gonna let you wear clothes?”

I blushed. “I’ll need clothes at some point.”

“You can borrow mine.” He nuzzled my neck, and warmth crept down my neck. I was never going to survive Julian’s heat if this was how he responded before it even got here.

Maybe this place wasn’t such a good idea. I should have realized that, with Luca around, Julian would have the best nesting supplies an alpha could buy. “Right, we can go.”

Julian straightened up. “No, we just got here.”

He looked confused, and his tone had become a little bit plaintive.

I raised an eyebrow. “You just told me you were good and didn’t need anything.”

“But…” Julian looked around again at all the different colors and fabrics. “Fine, fine. I do want to look and touch the stuff, even if I already have plenty.”

“Exactly.” I tucked his arm in mine, and we browsed the aisles. Most of the shoppers were omegas, with only the occasional alpha. All the other omegas were women and they gave me and Julian a double take before they figured out who was which designation.

The omegas relaxed, and Julian fell easily into conversations with a few of them about his favorite brands of sheets. I loved how he was able to talk to anyone, and the omega girls left happier with his help.

I let him set the pace, while I pictured coming back in another three months, and another three months after that.

For the rest of our lives.

It was too easy to imagine. I shoved the thought away. I wouldn’t ask too much, or plan too far. I was already at the point where it would shatter me if something happened. I would never get over losing Julian. Not if I lived a thousand years.

Julian nuzzled my neck, rubbing his chin on my shoulder. “More candles?”

“Always.” I picked up some lavender and rosemary for when we wanted to establish a calming mood, and also some ylang ylang and jasmine for when the mood was sexier.

“Better get, like, three of those.” Julian pointed at the sexual energy candles. I laughed and added more to our little cart. I added some throw pillows just because I liked them, and a super soft blanket.

While I was deciding on them, Julian found several pretty nightgowns and brought them over to the cart with a broadsmile. “I figure you should have some nice stuff, too. Even if I’ll just rip it off you in two seconds.”

“How considerate.”

We checked out and, again, I refused to let him pay. Maybe it was just my principles, but I wanted to take care of him. Not just because he was an omega, but because of who he was to me.

The next place I directed Julian to was Ms. May’s Tea Room, and as we parked, my stomach gave a little twist of nerves. This place was the most questionable of all the stops on my schedule. All my omega family members loved it, but maybe Julian would think it was dumb.

I opened the door, and the little bells hung over the threshold jingled. I walked up to the hostess stand and said hello to Maeve, an adorable beta with blue tips in her hair, who greeted us both.

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