Page 122 of Sunshine

The heat was over, but we stayed in the nest for another day or so, enjoying each other’s scents and pretending the rest of the world didn’t exist. I held out as long as I could, but I finally checked my phone to let my family know I was okay.

I had many messages from Talia, and a few from my family. We’d been secluded for a week and a half.

I snuggled against Julian’s side, pulling up the soft comfy blanket. “Was that a long heat?”

“Yes.” He squeezed me against him. “You made me extra horny and breedable.”

“I’ll say.” Luca stole a kiss from Julian. “You were a very good omega.”

Luca’s purr sent shivers through me and Julian. I didn’t think I had the energy for sex again, but they proved me wrong. Post heat sex turned out to be just as good as heat sex.

Chapter 32

Sunshine

Going back to the real world after Julian’s heat was a rude awakening. Holly had gotten me caught up on my tasks, but it only took two weeks for everything to fall apart again. It didn’t help it felt like I was recovering from the flu. I was tired and drained for days after I went back to work, even though I tried to act like it was fine.

Neither the alphas nor Julian were acting worn out from the heat, and I wanted to make sure they didn’t baby me next time. Despite me pretending I wasn’t still tired, Logan plied me with food and drink every time I was nearby. It was easier to pretend it was his need to feed people rather than my body being too slow to catch up to the rest of the pack.

I turned over the idea of moving in with them, but every time I did, I felt raw panic. I knew they loved me. And I loved them. But it felt big and irreversible.

Part of me worried that they would see me, all of me, and realize I was too weird for them to want to be with long term. I was spending the night most nights, but there were times when I went back to my cottage to work.

And by work, it was having a freak out over juggling a million tasks. I had three events close together, and the time right beforethings kicked off was always nuts. I didn’t sleep well, tossing and turning, thinking about the things still left to do.

Anxiety simmered inside me, like I was slowly boiling myself alive. No matter how many times I did deep breathing, walked myself through the different outcomes of my tasks, and told myself to get my shit together, it always snapped back.

It made me feel ashamed, and the more I thought about living with them, the more it felt like a good goal to work toward. If I got myself more organized, then I could move in with Pack Kahele without worrying that I would be a nervous wreck at some point and ruin everything.

It was good goal. Too bad I was so far away from it.

I shook my head, trying to blink some of the dryness out of my eyes.

I went over to the pack’s house after work because I missed them, but I still had so much work to do it felt pointless. I should have gone to my cottage, but Julian made puppy eyes about missing me another night in a row.

Logan had come home from work early and made us a delicious dinner. Julian was off work and assured me he would let me work. He sat next to me and played Race to Win with Luca.

My head hurt, my temples pounding.

I was so, so behind. It was ridiculous how behind I let myself get considering I’d been mostly caught up two weeks ago.

I thought I had budgeted myself enough time to get things scheduled, but the last couple days at work were a never-ending series of stuff popping up.

Ember needed help with a client intake because the alpha set her omega hormones off in a bad way. Luna was taking some sick days, so I offered to schedule some of the deliveries for her gardening supplies, which took almost half a day. Raina circledme every five minutes to ask about a new client, new event, or something else.

I was ready to scream. I wasn’t sleeping well, my mind was racing at night.

Next to me, Julian jerked the controller, bumping against my leg.

I ignored it. It was fine. He was excited. Even though thebeep-beep-beepfrom the car game was grating my nerves. I refocused on my spreadsheets, the green and white boxes blurring in my vision.

“Right, Sunshine?” Julian elbowed me.

“What?” I frowned. I was supposed to be checking on a date for Mrs. Cleary’s flowers, but the thought of flowers made me remember I had to get the white napkins to the embroidery shop.

“I’m gonna put Luca into the dust with this new blue corvette you helped me unlock.”

“Yes.” I searched my tabs. I had made a long list of all the weird and strange things Mrs. Cleary wanted for her garden bonanza, but I couldn’t find it anywhere.

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