Page 13 of The Alpha's Weakness
“I’ve been practicing with you for over a decade,” I remind her. “I don’t think that’s it.”
“You’re so much better than you used to be!”
“Liar.”
She giggles, and I smile, but it feels forced. Everything has since I learned that Camden is my fated mate and doesn’t want me. Being unwanted reminds me of my childhood, of my whole life.
“Hey,” Adeline says softly.
I blink, looking over at her. “Hm?”
“He’s an idiot.”
I smile sadly. “Is he? It feels like a pattern. I mean, my parents didn’t want me. They were biologically programmed to love me, and they didn’t give two shits about me. So why would someone who’s fated to be perfect for me want me?”
“Holly, it’s not like that,” she says. “There has to be a reason he’s waiting.”
Yeah, he doesn’t want me. I’m not good enough,I think.
“Have you heard back from any of the jobs?” Adeline asks, trying to change the subject.
“One. They offered me the position.”
“That’s great! Which one? Are you going to take it?”
I shrug as I slide onto a kitchen stool. “Maybe. It would make me some money.”
“You don’t want the job?”
“It’s the waitressing job at the diner,” I tell her. “I just thought… I don’t know, I guess I was hoping to change careers when I made this big move.”
“You can! You don’t have to take the first job you get.”
“I don’t want to be a burden on you guys.”
“You’re not! I love having you here.” She dusts off her flour-covered hands and comes to sit next to me. “I mean it. I missed you so much, Holly. Having you here has been amazing. A dream come true.”
I smile wider this time, and she hugs me, leaving little handprints on my shirt. I laugh as I dust them off, and she smiles as she goes to wash her hands before rolling out the dough.
“What do you want to do?” she asks as she forms the cookies.
“I’m not sure. I’d like to travel. To explore and learn more about different places and myself.”
“Why don’t you search for jobs that would let you do that, then? Or find something remote so you can work and travel?”
“That’s easier said than done.”
“There has to be something!” she argues.
“I’ll look.”
“Do it now,” she orders.
I huff as I hop off my stool and grab my phone. “Okay, magical jobs that allow me to travel.”
Addy rolls her eyes. “What’s it say?”
“They’re not hiring,” I deadpan.
