Page 9 of Sunshine

Talia bit her lip. “That’s fair.”

“AndIwasn’t rude.Shewas.”

“Okay.” Talia gave me another worried look. “I’m sorry you were hurt last night. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

I held my tongue. I’d told her before she could be friends with Becca if she wanted, but that I didn’t want to talk about her.

It wasn’t Talia’s fault I had issues with being a beta. For once in my whole life, I wanted to be picked. To be special. I’d thought I was special with Pack Beneventi, but I wasn’t good enough when the time came to pick me over Becca.

The needy, insecure voice in my head whispered that ifIhad been the one to sleep with Becca’s boyfriends, both Talia and Becca would have shunned me. That I was the third wheel. Pretty, but not pretty enough. Good with people, but I didn’t have the allure that Becca had, or the charm Talia did.

I was the slightly awkward, weird beta girl with a big family.

I huffed, pushing the thoughts away. That was enough of a pity party. I was always tired after an event and emotionally worn out. I decided it was time to change the subject. “So, how’s the bakery?”

Talia was a baker and had been trying to expand her business. She was renting a small space on Main Street with a couple of other bakers. Spring break tourist season was currently upon us, so the foot traffic was bringing her extra revenue.

“Good, actually.” Talia pulled a thick piece of paper out of her purse. “What do you think about the menu?”

I looked over the menu and, for a little while, things went back to normal. We talked about the market for salted caramel, whether red velvet was still considered trendy, and what to do about this year’s holiday celebrations.

I thought Halloween cookies were going to be popular this year, but Talia thought it was going to be Christmas cookies again and wanted to do a Christmas in July event.

My phone chimed, and I looked at the bright screen. It was Julian.

Julian:

Babe

I’m on a twenty-four hour at the fire station and my useless alphas have the audacity to be busy.

Babe.

I’m bored.

Babe.

What are you doing?

Babe.

“Who’s blowing up your phone?”Talia grinned, leaning over her chair like she could see my phone from there. “All your relatives are here. I counted. Someone special in your life?”

I shook my head. “Julian’s on a twenty-four hour shift and bored.”

Firefighters had to work long shifts at the fire station. They needed to be ready the moment a call came in, which meant staying at the station house for twenty-four hours at a time.

They were allowed to sleep and relax during that time as well perform duties like exercise, study, and equipment checks.

“Uhh hmm.” Talia nodded. “Judging by how your face lit up, you’re not “just friends” as you keep telling me.”

I resisted the urge to text him back as two more “babe” messages came through. “Friends text each other when they’re bored.”

Talia smoothed her hands over her bakery menu. “I say go for it. He wouldn’t be spending time with you if he wasn’t interested. You’re gorgeous, smart, and successful. What more could he want?”

I smiled. “Thanks.”

“I’ll get out of your hair. Keep me posted.” She left in a flurry of motion.

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