Page 24 of Heat Island
“A new pack suddenly available and willing to sign up for an escort arrangement? There must be something wrong with them. Are they convicted felons? Unemployed? Livingin one of their mother’s basement? Divorce from their last omega only just finalized this week?”
She laughs, the sound musical and genuine. “Nothing like that, I assure you. They’re quite...exceptional. But I understand if you’re tired and would prefer to decline the interview. No pressure at all.”
I should leave. I should thank her politely and walk out that door. I’ve already wasted an entire morning meeting men who make my least favorite sex toy seem intellectually stimulating by comparison. Maybe if I lay the groundwork now with some physical complaints and forged doctor’s notes, I can convince Josephine that I’ve contracted the pneumonic plague just in time to miss the wedding.
And let her be disappointed and worried about me on the most important day of my life.
With the even less pleasant alternative of showing up at Heat Island alone, facing my three exes without backup or even a distraction from the humiliation.
The wedding is in less than a week, I don’t have any time left to be choosy.
“Fine,” I sigh, dropping back into the heart-shaped chair. “Send them in. But if even one of them asks when I’ll be in my next fertility window, we’ll be finished before you get back to your office.”
Amara’s smile widens. “I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The best matches always come when we least expect them.”
The cryptic comment hangs in the air as she disappears, leaving me alone with my thoughts and a room full of babies and puppies staring at me mockingly from their overly ornate frames.
I straighten my blouse and run a hand through my hair, wondering what fresh hell awaits me on the other side ofthat door. At this point, three wooden carvings in the vague shape of men would be preferable to the alphas I’ve interviewed today.
The door swings open, and my jaw nearly hits the floor.
Matheo—the photographer from the gallery, the one who I smacked in the face with a door—walks in with two other men trailing behind him. His dark eyes find mine immediately, and a wide smile immediately spreads on his lips.
“Trinity,” he says, voice deep and smooth. “Nice to see you again. With no doors between us this time.”
I straighten in my chair, trying to process this unexpected development. “What are you…I mean, hi. This is... surprising.”
“A pleasant surprise, I hope.” He gestures to his companions as they all sit down. “This is Cash Matthews and Lucas Ortiz. My pack.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Your pack? You didn’t mention having a pack when we met. Were they at the exhibition?”
Cash—the leaner one with auburn hair and intelligent gray eyes behind thin glasses, who has to be the beta—extends his hand. His handshake is firm, professional. “Scheduling conflicts. We’re all too busy to travel as a unit. Though I’m sorry we missed the chance to meet you.”
“We barely met,” I say quickly, hiding my blush by taking a large gulp of my lukewarm tea. “I was there for business, not pleasure. By the way, congratulations are in order. The show was incredible. Those wildlife shots were breathtaking. I think I heard that every single piece was sold.”
“Thank you,” Matheo says with a self-effacing shrug
Lucas tilts his head. “Wait, what show?—”
“The gallery exhibition,” Matheo interrupts, shootingLucas a look that could melt steel. “Remember? I told you about it.”
“Right,” Lucas says slowly. “The...gallery thing.”
I shoot a confused glance between them, but Cash distracts me by shifting his chair closer and leaning in conspiratorially.
“Like I was saying, we lead very individual lives. It’s just what happens when everyone is working hard. I’m in tech leadership, Lucas is focused on home and community projects, and Matheo here—” Cash’s eyes sparkle with something like suppressed amusement “—just retired from his software development career to focus on his art.”
“Retired?” I ask, studying Matheo with renewed interest. The man is obviously still on the right side of forty with vitality to match. “You must have been successful.”
Matheo shrugs, suddenly fascinated by the edge of the table. “I just developed some apps. Got lucky with one of them. Nothing special.”
Cash coughs into his hand, clearly hiding a smile. Something’s off about this story, but I can’t quite place what.
“We’re at a point where we’re looking to settle down,” Cash continues. “Especially now that Matheo has more time.”
I can’t believe I’m saying it because these guys are exactly what I need—attractive, personable,sane—but better to ruin things now before I get too attached. “You know I’m only looking for a temporary arrangement, right?”
“Of course,” Matheo says smoothly. “We’re happy to help. And this is a good way for us to figure out our own dynamic as a pack now that our lives are starting to settle down.”
