Page 43 of Forbidden Virgin Mate

I think my dad needs to become stronger in his recovery first, but everyone in the pack wants him and my mom to come home. I hope it happens eventually.

After replying to my mom's picture with a heart emoji, I return to the stall and find it's almost ready for our first customers. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Emma, my old friend from school, heading my way. While I'm settled here and comfortable with most wolves now, Emma's initial hostility when I returned still stings a little. She’s not the only one. I still feel more comfortable within Diego’s pack, but that’s starting to get better now. Considering my own actions, I try to bury those feelings and greet her with a smile, which she returns warily.

She's with a man who looks familiar, but I'm not sure I've ever met him. Behind them is an adorable little girl who runs straight up to the rows of frosted buns, her eyes wide.

"Don't touch, Annie!" the man calls out, and she dances back to him.

"Hey, Tanya," Emma greets. "Do you remember my brother Cole? Cole, this is Tanya, who I was telling you about."

I'd completely forgotten that Emma had a much older brother, but looking at them, I can see the similarities. "Sorry, no. But it's lovely to meet you, Cole. Is this your daughter?"

The man smiles down at his little girl. "Yes, this is Annie. We'd better get her one of these cakes before she helps herself."

I laugh as we watch Annie choose a cake, and I put it in a paper bag for her with some napkins.

"Emma tells me you're the cybersecurity expert at the college?" he asks.

"Yes, that's right," I reply.

"I've just moved back to the area. We've set up over on Brites Mountain, the new microchip plant."

Now I know why I recognize him. I've seen all the press releases about the new plant, and his face has been all over them. He's been in California for years, launching tech start-ups. It's a big deal for the local economy that he's brought the plant here. My students, in particular, have been very interested. There aren't many tech opportunities around here at the moment.

"Oh, right, it's lovely to meet you,” I say. “I've heard good things."

"I've heard good things about your work, too," he says, and I nod. My work with the FBI is widely known now, as is my international profile. "I'm hoping to run an internship program. Obviously, your students would be an excellent fit."

I smile. This is amazing news for my students. I'm about to reply when I see Saffy approaching us. Annie runs up to her, showing her the bun she's just taken a giant bite out of.

"Ooh, those are my favorites!” Saffy exclaims. “Are there any left?"

Annie jumps up and down and points excitedly to the mountain of blue-frosted cakes.

"Thank goodness," Saffy laughs.

"Speaking of students, this is Saffy,” I say with pride. “She's definitely one to watch." I mean every word as Saffy's skills only continue to impress me. "Saf, this is Cole. He's just moved back to the area to open the plant on Brites Mountain."

Saffy's eyes widen as she realizes who I'm talking about, and she smiles at Cole in greeting. Emma occupies me for a moment, buying some more cakes and baked items, but I keep glancing over at Saffy and Cole. I don't miss the slight blush on Saffy's cheeks and the intense way Cole is looking at her. Annie offers Saffy a little piece of her cake that she's broken off, and Saffy accepts it graciously. She's such a natural with kids, and it’s lovely to see.

Cole apparently agrees as he can't seem to take his eyes off her.

It's a good thing Zack's not here, I think with a chuckle. Saffy is stunning, and nineteen now. It's only a matter of time before she catches someone's eye.

Once Emma has her purchases, she takes Annie's hand, and Cole turns back to me and Saffy. "It's a pleasure to meet you both," he says, more to Saffy than me. "Tanya, I'll contact the college so we can sit down to discuss the opportunity?"

"That sounds perfect, Cole," I reply. "Enjoy the day."

Saffy and I wave goodbye to Annie, who continues to run rings around Emma and Cole.

"Well, he seems...nice," I say to Saffy, raising an eyebrow.

She's still blushing as she turns to me. "I wonder where Annie's mom is?" she asks, making me chuckle.

"Mmm, I wonder," I reply innocently. Saffy’s clearly nursing a crush on Cole, though I'm sure he must have a wife. I don’t want to crush her dreams. Besides, the opportunity of the internship is more than exciting enough.

I'm about to mention the internship to Saffy when the loudspeakers announce that the first of the games are about to start. A flurry of customers approach our booth, racing to get their snacks, and Saffy and I are soon too busy to talk.

When the rush finally dies down, we grab hot drinks and wander to the stadium to see the games already underway. They’re a mix of endurance and strength events. I can't take my eyes off Zack throughout. He's been training hard throughout the winter, and it shows. He looks incredible on the pitch, and his team works effortlessly together under his leadership. Tears spring to my eyes to see him at the heart of his pack, where he belongs.

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