Page 56 of Heat Island
“Former model. I work as a booking agent now,” Isabelle corrects before giving me a cool once-over. “Hello.”
Amelia gives the slightest nod, not bothering with a verbal greeting.
“Pleasure,” I say, forcing a smile. Neither shows any sign of recognizing me, thank god. Five years and fifteen pounds ago, I was just another in a string of Egret’s college girlfriends. Not memorable enough to register. “I hope you’re looking forward to the festivities.”
“Trinity owns her own event planning business,” Josie announces proudly. “She basically organized this whole thing.”
Isabelle’s perfectly sculpted eyebrows rise. “An omega business owner? How progressive.”
Amelia tilts her head. “I’m surprised you have time for a pack with such demanding work. Most omegas I know who try to have careers end up neglecting their alphas.”
I reach for my coffee to avoid saying something I’ll regret. “I’m fortunate to have understanding partners.”
“They must be very secure in their alpha status,” Isabelle says with a thin smile. “Not all men can handle an independent omega.”
I’d managed to forget that Egret’s older sisters are both alphas. It makes sense that outdated ideas about designation essentialism are a family trait.
A server appears with my fruit platter and side of wheat toast. I pick at a strawberry, no longer hungry at all.
“Trinity’s amazing at balancing everything,” Josie chirps, oblivious to the tension. “That’s why she’s the perfect wedding planner.”
Amelia’s gaze drifts to my barely touched plate. “Speaking of which, is it okay if we join you for the cake tasting this afternoon? Egret asked us to give our input.”
I swallow hard. Of course, he did. “Absolutely. The more opinions, the better.”
Isabelle sighs dramatically. “I suppose someone should represent our side of the family. Though I can’t imagine why Egret thought we’d want to spend our afternoon sampling cake.”
“I’m sure it’ll be lovely to eat enough sugar to trigger a medical emergency,” Amelia adds without enthusiasm. Her eyes flick between my plate and Josie’s equally sparse breakfast. “I see you’re both saving your appetites. Unless that’s just how omegas maintain their...petite frames?”
My fork clatters against the plate. I’ve spent years building my business in an alpha-dominated industry, handling difficult clients and impossible deadlines. I don’t need to justify my eating habits to these women.
“Fun fact,” I drawl, voice honey-sweet. “Omegas actually can’t properly digest dairy or red meat. I wish I could eat like an alpha, but I’m glad I have you two here so I can experience it vicariously.”
Josephine nearly chokes on a mouthful of orange juice, but does a decent job of covering her laugh.
Amelia glances down at the fluffy omelet on Josie’s plate with a confused frown. “I’ve never heard anything like that before.”
Isabelle is a little quicker, and she surveys me with a raised eyebrow. “I think that was a joke.”
“I’m just feeling a little queasy this morning, and Trin has never been a breakfast person,” Josie assures them. “It would probably shock you how much we can put away on a good day. Trin is just a bit of a jokester.”
“Funny,” Isabelle says in a way that sounds like she means the exact opposite.
I can already tell this cake-tasting is going to be a blast.
I feel warm hands settle on my shoulders, the touch firm yet gentle. A moment later, Matheo leans down, his lips brushing against my cheek in a soft kiss that sends an unexpected ripple of pleasure through me.
“There you are, sweetheart,” he murmurs, his voice carrying just the right hint of gentle admonishment. “You should have waited for us.”
I glance up at him, momentarily stunned by how convincingly affectionate he looks. His dark eyes hold mine with an intensity that makes my stomach flip.
“I didn’t want to force everyone out of bed,” I explain, trying to keep my voice steady. “You all looked so peaceful.”
“We’ve already discussed this.” Kyren slides into the chair beside me, his voice carrying a surprising edge of authority. He reaches for my hand on the table, interlacing our fingers with casual possessiveness. “We’re not letting you out of our sight for the entire week.”
Cash and Lucas join us, completing our fabricated pack, and I notice Isabelle’s perfectly sculpted eyebrows rise with obvious appreciation. Her earlier cool demeanor melts as she straightens in her chair, suddenly alert like a cat spotting prey.
“Trinity,” Amelia says, her voice markedly warmer than when addressing me earlier. “We didn’t get the chance to meet your alphas at dinner last night. You should introduce us.”
