Page 78 of Sunshine

I shrugged. “Julian and I were uhhh, snuggling on the couch, and then we kissed.”

Talia beamed, bouncing in her chair. “That’s it, go for the omega first this time.”

“This time?” I shook my head. “I wasn’t hunting a pack. I just…developed a crush on all of them.”

“Because they’re competent and sexy.” Talia shoved my shoulder gently. “You’re too insecure, so you never notice when guys actually like you.”

I’d thought I had a healthy appreciation of myself. I liked myself and I knew I was awesome, but I’d had a lot more crushes go unrequited than not. I also hadn’t been hit on like Talia and Becca had.

None of that mattered now, because, somehow, Julian, Luca, and Logan wanted to date me. I let out a happy sigh. “I’ve got a family dinner tomorrow and then we’re going to hang out again.”

“‘Hang out’?” Talia shook her head. “Make them take you somewhere nice. Make them show you how much they want you, instead of just settling for what you have now. Video games on the couch are nice, but this isromance.”

“First of all, they already said they were going to do all that.” I looked down at my bagel. “I like fancy dinners and dates on the beach, but it’s more important to me that we feel comfortable in our day-to-day lives.”

And I already felt more comfortable with them on that score. Asking for a sweeping, whirlwind romance seemed like reaching for the moon when I already had the pack of my dreams.

Talia raised an eyebrow. “That might be okay for a little while, but make sure they work for it. Just because you’re not an omega doesn’t mean they don’t have to woo you.”

“They’ve said they’re going to woo me,” I replied quickly. “Everything’s happened fast, and we’ve all just been enjoying each other’s company. You know how I like snuggles on the couch.”

“Yes.” Talia handed me another bagel. “Just don’t let it stop there. You deserve a pack that loves you to death, one thatdoesn’t treat you like you should be glad they’re paying you attention.”

“They don’t treat me like that,” I said, with certainty. They all acted like I hung the moon. “But… thank you.”

“So, you’ve all been busy staying indoors then?” Talia grinned. “I hope they’re good in bed!”

My mind flashed to the three of them tag-teaming me until I came so hard I’d blacked out for a few seconds. “Oh, yeah. They’re amazing.”

“Good. Now that you’re dating them, you can go on double dates with me. I’ve been flirting hot and heavy with this alpha that comes into the shop.”

My stomach dropped. Double dating wasn’t on my top list of fun events, but especially not when things were so new.

“Sure,” I said. “Give me some time though. Luca wants to take me to Heartbeat, and Logan and I are hitting up the Farmer’s Market.”

Talia wrinkled her nose. “The Farmer’s Market is all you. No, thanks, I want more romance than random vegetables.”

I bit my lip because I knew she wouldn’t get it. Logan was so focused and intentional about everything to do with his menus. She didn’t understand that, for me, talking ingredients with Logan like getting to see another piece of who he was.

I couldn’t explain that to Talia, so I let the conversation shift gears.

I spent the rest of the day helping test out cupcake flavors and giving feedback. After a few false attempts, Talia managed to get the Mint Julep cupcake to taste like mint and not sugar-flavored toothpaste, and I was able to go home happy.

When I walked through the door to my cottage, I looked around and realized that things just didn’t smell right anymore. It had seemed smarter to stay the night at my place, but I was already missing them.

At least I could still connect with them through the group chat. Julian texted all about his day. I told them about Talia’s cupcakes, Luca talked about a big case he was working on, and Logan mentioned that rhubarb might be in season.

The next day, I drove over to the resort. It was a normal family meeting, but the reality was that I always found it hard not to worry that something would be wrong. Maybe clients were complaining about me. Maybe Mrs. Cullen had gone directly to Raina to tell her how horrible I’d been.

I knew the chance of that happening wasn’t likely, so I managed to talk myself down off the ledge. Work was fine. I was dating the pack of my dreams. And as far as I could tell, none of my family members were acting any differently to how they did usually.

Instead of going to the lodge, I followed Terran to where the others were sitting at the picnic table in the big field. Wildflowers had sprung up amongst the meadow grass, adding their purples, blues, and pinks. Raina and Zephyr had already brought out snacks, and I set the plates and napkins I brought on the picnic table.

I looked at my sisters. Stella was glowing, but Luna was still looking pale. She had bags under her eyes and kept glancing around like she was waiting for someone to jump out of the bushes. Before I could ask my baby sister how she was feeling, Luna turned and asked Stella how her pack was.

Stella beamed. “Awesome. We’re getting Tony’s later on and having a little beach date.”

While I was happy that Stella was so happy, I couldn’t take it any longer. “What’s wrong?” I asked Luna, tucking some hair out of my face. “You’ve been off for weeks. We don’t want to pry?—”

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