Page 5 of Sunshine

Isaac frowned for a moment, as though puzzling over something, then his brow cleared. “Kahele, that’s where I know that name from. You just finished that massive case with the Somatics Firm, didn’t you?.”

Luca gave the alpha his thousand-watt smile that said I eat alphas for breakfast. “That’s me. It was a team effort of course.”

“Of course.” Isaac worked in business and both he and Rob had been obsessed with social climbing to improve their careers. “A team effort that you pulled off for your firm. Well done.”

Luca put a hand on the small of my back. “I see you’ve met my omega, Julian? And Sunshine?”

“We have,” Becca said, her expression poisonous. “I see you’re still chasing omegas, Sunshine.”

I blinked, too shocked she’d directly insulted me to be able to come up with something witty. She’d already won, so I didn’t see why she was crowing over the victory.

“Becca!” Julian snapped his fingers, as though he’d been trying to figure something out. “NowI remember. You were the best friend who slept with Sunshine’s pack behind her back.”

Becca’s face drained of color, and I tried to turn my choked response into a cough. Shock and amusement warred inside me that Julian had said that out loud instead of playing nice.

Rob’s face turned red. “We hadn’t bonded Sunshine yet, so we didn’t actually…”

And with that, I was back to feeling like I’d been punched.

“Cheat?” Julian snorted. “I’m pretty sure it’s still cheating, even if you haven’t bonded. Otherwise, what…? You’re all free to sleep with whoever you want?”

“We scent-matched,” Becca said, her voice as tight. “I can’t help that.”

Isaac cleared his throat, running a hair over his close-cut brown hair. “It was nice to see you again, Sunshine, but we have business elsewhere.”

Becca looked like she was going to say more, but Isaac shot her a glare, and they left.

For a moment I stood there, unable to speak. To think. The world felt soft and fuzzy, like it was all a dream. Or a nightmare, so much worse than showing up at school naked.

“Come on, love.” Luca steered us back into the kitchen. “You need a break.”

My hands were shaking. I hated that my exes still affected me. After almost a year, I’d thought I was over the ugly break up. I’d spent enough time crying on Julian’s shoulder.

Julian pulled two extra chairs up to a small table to the side of the kitchen and gestured for me to sit.

Logan looked up, concerned. “You’re as white as a ghost.”

I tried to speak, to tell him I was okay, but my mouth was too dry. I swallowed hard, but the lump in my throat wouldn’t go away.

“Later,” Julian told Logan, sitting next to me. His coconut and pineapple scent soothed my nerves as he brushed his arm over my shoulder, as though he was scent marking me.

Luca brought me some soda while Logan carried over a platter of the different desserts that were on offer tonight.

“I’m sorry.” I gripped my fork, the metal cold against my clammy skin. “I’m fine, really. Over that whole mess.”

Julian ran his hand over my back. “It’s still upsetting, babe. Anyone would be hurt, especially with that hag’s display.”

“Who hurt you?” Logan looked at me intensely, fire in his eyes. “They’re dead.”

I shook my head. “It’s okay. Really.”

Logan looked at Luca and Julian like he wanted answers, but Julian made a cutting movement, and the alpha backed down. Instead, he handed me a slice of chocolate torte with salted caramel sauce.

I tried to focus on eating the divine dessert. I was okay. My body might have gone into panic mode, but I was okay. My family was safe, I had friends at my side to help me through an uncomfortable situation, and I wasn’t in any physical danger.

The problem was that even though I knew all that, adrenaline raced through me like I’d nearly been mauled by a bear. I had never been good at separating myself from social injuries versusphysical ones. Sometimes I thought I would prefer a broken arm over pain like I’d just endured.

I swallowed the delicious bittersweet chocolate. “This is amazing.”

---