Page 111 of Sunshine

Chapter 30

Sunshine

The afternoon flew by. We got the house scrubbed down and by the time Logan and Luca came home, everything was spic and span.

Luca had gone shopping and bought more blankets, some games and a range of ready-to-eat healthy snacks. Logan had bags full of fresh produce and started cooking up a storm. I convinced Julian to play Animal Crossing with me. He’d started dragging his heels during the last phase of cleaning, going from bouncy to lethargic, and looking a little flushed. But when Luca asked if he wanted to go to the nest, he said no.

So we bundled down on the couch. Julian plastered himself between me and Luca and watched me play Animal Crossing. He made suggestions on how to redecorate my island, and what things to craft. It was a nice way to spend the night, and before too long he'd bounced back enough to want to redecorate his own island.

I was relieved to see he was getting to sate his nesting instincts through the game instead of exhausting himself. I put down my controller and started to slide out of the blankets.

Julian whimpered. “Babe, don’t leave.”

“I’m stealing us some food.” I put my finger to his lips. “Be right back.”

I headed into the kitchen, to where Logan was stirring a pot. I peeked around him, not wanting to get in the way, and saw he was making béchamel sauce,. Rows and rows of meatballs were sitting out on paper towels, and a big pot of water was almost at boiling point.

He smiled. “You okay? You need anything?”

“Yes. Food to steal.”

Even though my arms were sore from cleaning, I felt lighter. Giddy. When I’d left work today, I’d told Holly and Raina that Julian’s heat was about to start. I had the next two weeks off, and I was going to spend it with the men I wanted to be my pack.

Maybe it was tempting fate—after all, I was just a beta—but I was excited. They never treated me like I was just a beta after all.

Logan pulled me into a hug with one arm, kissing the top of my head. “You did good today. He never lets us help. Doesn’t want our scent to kick him off early.”

I smiled up at him, and his blue eyes were filled with such warmth that it took my breath away. I had to pause for a moment before I could speak. “I have three omegas in the family. I’ve been well trained.”

Logan leaned down, stealing a quick kiss while continuing to stir the sauce. “I’ll send you out there with some meatballs. I also made some fruit tarts and chocolate mousse.”

“Hell, yes.” I took in a deep inhale of Logan’s herbal scent. This close to Julian’s heat, I could smell bay, thyme, rosemary, and even a faint whiff of lavender. “Dessert is my favorite.”

I moved to the side to let him cook and I could see the two other meals he had going. “Do you always cook and freeze a million meals?”

“Doesn’t hurt to have some easy leftovers. And if we don’t use all the frozen meals, Julian’s fire company won’t say no to them.”

“So, before his heat, Julian cleans, and Logan cooks.” I turned my head and called out to the inhabitants of the couch. “And what does Luca do before Julian’s heat?”

“Luca rests, like a smart person.” He sent me a devastating wink from where he was still sprawled next to Julian, reading a book.

“That’s smart.” I kissed Logan on the cheek, stealing some meatballs.

Logan brushed his hand over mine. “You’re sure you don’t need anything? This is your heat, too. You can ask for anything.”

I surveyed the mountains of food and looked at Julian and Luca curled up on the couch. “I’m great, thanks.”

“Alright.”

I stole another kiss before loading up a plate of meatballs and taking it out to the living room. Julian wrinkled his nose. “I’m still full from dinner.”

“Fine.” I slid back onto the sofa, next to Julian. “More for me and Luca.”

Once I was settled, I passed a meatball over to Luca, right in front of Julian. After ignoring it the first time or two, he decided to steal every second or third one. We managed dessert that way, too. Once Logan finished cooking, he traipsed up and down the stairs, taking food up to the nest, like we were preparing for a siege. Finally, he settled down on the couch with us.

My eyelids drooped even though it was early. The extra heat Julian was radiating beside me, combined with my pleasantly tired muscles made me sleepy. Next thing I knew, I’d started to make simple mistakes while moving the controls.

I set the controller down. “I’m exhausted. Can we go night night?”

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