So much for using them as a buffer.
The girls head off upstairs despite their disappointment, and I’m left alone with my best friend, who glares daggers at me. “You’re seeing apack?”
I grimace. “Yes. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you. I was waiting to make sure it was going to go somewhere, and it’s been… complicated.”
“Complicated how?” she asks, arching a blonde brow at me.
I groan. “My boss is one of the alphas and I thought he hated me, but we hooked up in his office earlier today after he confessed he wanted me and I’m worried about him changing his mind or getting fired if someone finds out.”
Astrid’s mouth hangs open, and she blinks a few times before getting up and leaving the room without another word.
Is she so mad at me she can’t look at me right now? Dammit, I’m a terrible friend.
“I’m sorry!” I call out after her.
A moment later, she returns with a box of cookies in her hand. She takes one out and passes it over to me. “Alright, start from the beginning.”
Astrid doesn’t holdback on asking me every question under the sun, not allowing me to spare any details on my whole omega saga.
When it’s all out in the open, I feel raw. Saying aloud all my hopes and concerns to my best friend, someone who has been with me through the toughest parts of my life, is cathartic. As is how she reacts to everything I say, validating the cacophony of emotions I’ve been dealing with.
I feel silly for not telling her sooner. I only wish Astrid knew what I should do next. Beyond speaking with River as soon as possible to figure out what we’re going to do about our situation at work, and ask if he’s sure he wants to be in a romantic relationship with me.
Like the supportive best friend she is, Astrid insists anyone would be head over heels for me because I’m amazing. There’s no question in her mind River meant what he said.
It’s clear the tangled web of pack relationships and my struggles with being an omega are beyond her realm of expertise, but that doesn’t stop Astrid from attempting to talk things through with me. And it helps. It’s rough, but just the act of discussing it makes it a little less daunting.
Butterflies kick up inside me as I ride the elevator to back to my office, imagining being alone with River again once I’m done with my call. Wondering if he’ll look at me the same wayhe did earlier. Remembering the way his mouth tasted and the way his hands gripped me so possessively.
I should go directly back to my desk and use the thirty minutes before my call with DesigNation to finish prepping, but thoughts of River have me making my way to his office instead.
When I go to knock on his door, it swings open and I step back before I tumble into the person on the other side.
The beta in the doorway says something to River over his shoulder that sounds like, “it’s a shame,” but I’m not certain, because someone down the hall coughs loudly at the same time.
As he steps out of the office, I give the beta an awkward wave and a smile. He looks familiar, but I can’t remember his name off the top of my head.
His eyes widen for a moment, and he doesn’t return my smile as he shuts River’s door behind him. “Ms. Clairmont. I was looking for you.”
I laugh awkwardly. “Wow, you’re the second person today to tell me that. You’re…”
“Mark from HR. We spoke a few weeks back. Mind coming with me to my office?”
My spine stiffens. Why does he want to meet with me? Did he hear about Holden’s behavior? Oh god, did someone overhear me and River? Is that why he was in River’s office?
“Can it wait until later?” I ask with a weak smile. “I have a meeting in a few minutes.”
Mark frowns. “This is urgent. If you’d follow me.” He turns and heads toward his office. Clearly, this impromptu meeting isn’t up for discussion.
I trail behind him, icy dread washing over me. What could be so urgent that it’s more important than a client meeting? Itry to stay calm, even though it feels like I’m marching to my doom.
Mark holds the door to his cramped office open for me, and I step inside, transported back to the other time I was in here. I thought I was terrified then, but that has nothing on this moment.
He was all congenial smiles and hand-waving away the need for more information that day, but Mark is all business as he gestures for me to sit, taking a seat on the other side of his cluttered desk.
He picks up a small packet of papers and glances down at them like he needs to check something before he speaks.
My heart is in my throat and I’m sweating through my clothes like I’m in heat again.
