Page 133 of Sunshine

“We’re here for you,” he finally finished. “You’re not going to scare us off.”

It was wonderful they realized how hard it was for me to open up to them. That they actually appreciated that. “I feel like you guys are doing all the support and I’m just being selfish.”

Logan huffed a laugh. “Not that it’s a tit for a tat, but you talk me through all my menus, you work next to Luca and keep him company, and you spoil Julian within an inch of his life. Video games, blankets, cuddles, whatever. Your special date before his heat. You give us plenty, Sunshine.”

When he said it like that, I realized Iwasproviding for the pack. I wasn’t just having my little meltdowns.

“I like helping you with menus. I like working next to Luca, it helps me focus too. And I love spending every single moment of the day with Julian. Hardly a big ask.”

“Exactly.” Someone shouted in the background, and Logan grumbled. “Giving you everything your heart’s desires is hardly a tall ask.”

“I know you’re busy, I’ll let you get back to work.”

Logan grumbled again.

“I’ll see you tonight?”

“You will,” Logan said. “I’ll bring some of the flan home.”

“Ooooo.” My mouth watered at the idea of a fancy dessert.

We said goodbye, and I hung up, fuzzy warmth building inside me.

Everything…was going to be okay. I moved some papers around my desk to feel like I was doing something, but my mind raced. No matter how weird I was, Pack Kahele just took it in stride. They helped me, rather than making me feel broken.

A part of my mind whispered that I was just a beta. At some point there wouldn’t be any use for me.

I shook my head, sipping my chai tea. That wasn’t true, no matter what I was afraid of. Julian wanted me to move in with them. Logan and Luca too.

They loved me.

They hadn’t asked me to bond them yet, but I doubt they would before I was comfortable moving in. I kept them at arm’s length at times. If Julian hadn’t kissed me, who knew how long it would take for them to feel like I was ready for more? They were reading all my cues.

My phone chirped.

Talia:

Yes I’ll do the cupcakes sounds good

Sunshine:

Okay great! I’ll see you Saturday morning around nine

Cupcakes sorted, I crossed it off my to-do list with a flourish.

The rest of the morning passed like I was floating on a cloud, and Holly poked her head into the office around lunchtime.

I grinned. “Hey stranger.”

Holly rolled her eyes. “Sorry, wedding season is nuts.” Her dark brown hair was pulled into a bun today, and she wore a navy blazer with cream-colored pants. Her green eyes sparkled with mirth as she sat down. “I heard you managed to get us some assistants.”

I pulled out the color-coded list. I told her about my late-night panic, and how wonderful the pack had been.

“Logan did this. It was shocking to see how much of my time is being used on something that can get delegated out.”

Holly frowned at the list. “I don’t want to know how much time I spend doing the same thing.”

“Exactly.” I pulled my lunch box out of the fridge. “How many more events could we manage if we weren’t bogged down in simple tasks?”

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