My smile falters.Little human.That’s a really weird phrase. It’s not like he isn’t human either.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, and I shake my head, pushing my random thoughts away.
“Nothing. Why don’t you start? Tell me about yourself. How old are you? What do you do? Why are you in town? What are your hobbies and dreams?”
Thorne laughs, holding up a hand to silence my ramble. “Okay, let’s see. I just turned thirty-five in September.”
“Oh! I’m a September baby too! I just turned twenty-four. Okay, and what do you do for work?”
He hesitates for a moment, almost like he’s trying to come up with something.
I arch a brow, but he ignores it as we scoot up in line.
“I think I told you I’m from a small town. Well, my family owns several businesses. The best way to describe it is, I help my dad manage those companies. Next year, we are working on transitioning me into more of a leadership role while my dad slowly begins to retire.”
Okay, interesting. But what kinds of companies, I wonder. If he’s from a small town, maybe his family works hard, just like in those old-timey movies where one guy works at the grocery store, the gas station, and also happens to be the town’s sheriff. Honestly, though, he looks like a sexy CEO in his expensive suit and fancy peacoat.
Thorne doesn’t elaborate, and as long as it’s not something dangerous or illegal, I figure it might be a little too intrusive forsomeone I won’t see again. A pang hits my chest, and I rub at the spot, willing the strange pain to go away. I don’t want this to be the last and only time I see Thorne.
“What about you, omega?”
My lips tip into a smile. I love the way he calls me omega. It’s playful and a little sexy. He says it more like a nickname. Like he’s trying to flirt.
We step forward again, and I realize we still have a bit of a wait. Snow begins falling around us, and I’m thankful we are bundled up. “Right now, I work a couple of odd retail jobs, but someday I want to open an online toy shop of my own. I love making little figurines, charms, and keychains. Mostly animals, both mythical and normal animals.”
“Do you have any photos?” He smiles. “I’d love to see.”
I don’t ever show my designs to the alphas I’m attracted to anymore. They usually think my little hobby is immature, but something tells me I can show Thorne. I tug my good luck charm out of my jacket. It’s a lion keychain. “This little guy is named Flare. He’s my favorite design so far. He’s made with a heavy-duty clay, and patches of material, so he’s kind of a cross between a tiny plushie and a figurine.” I hold it out for him to see.
He gasps, eyes wide. “A lion? Why a lion?” He reaches for Flare. The little lion looks tiny in his palm. My heart warms as hestudies it with interest. He doesn’t seem annoyed or like he’s faking it.
“Most people know lions symbolize bravery. It’s why you might find them on family crests or medieval things like shields. But did you know a lion also represents leadership, wisdom, and strength?”
He nods, so I continue talking. “They also represent protection. It might seem silly, but this guy offers me that. Whenever I feel nervous, scared, or intimidated, I can reach into my pocket and touch his soft fur. He’s tiny enough to hide so others can’t judge me, but still a big comfort.”
We reach the front of the line, where there are only a few people ahead of us. He’s silent for a moment, and I wonder if I made things awkward. I replay my words in my head. Before I can ask what I said wrong, he turns me around and cups my face. He pulls me into a sweet kiss that’s oddly tender for strangers.
For some reason, I feel like he’s thanking me for something, but I have no idea what. This time, he tastes like hot chocolate. If we weren’t in public, I’d be tempted to see what else he tastes like.
Something soft grazes my cheek. My lion’s keyring is wrapped around Thorne’s thumb, and Flare dangles between us, tickling my face.
“I can’t believe you made this,” Thorne says when he pulls away from my lips. “This lion is adorable. It’s beautifully made.Unique. I think you should do it. Open your online shop, even if you have to start small. Your designs should be shared with the world. Hell, I’ll be your first customer.” Determination laces his tone.
A wide grin spreads across my face. He doesn’t have to say any of this, I realize. I think he’s doing it just to encourage me. Not only that, but I can hear his sincerity. He means it. A snowflake lands on his cheek before melting away.
“Hey, you two.” I glance over to see one of the volunteers who works for the city. “If you want to hang your wish on the tree, make sure you write it down now and get ready to find that perfect spot.”
Thorne nods. “We should write our wishes down.”
“Do you know what you’re wishing for?” I ask.
Thorne’s chocolate-brown eyes sparkle. “I do.” He reaches for his phone before using the back of it to prop his paper on. He writes his wish down, then hands me his phone to do the same. Goddess, would it be wrong to ask him for his number? He doesn’t even live here in town, but maybe we could still talk?
I jot my wish down on my paper and hand him his phone back, deep in thought. Most of the tree is covered in lights and ornaments, but the bottom portion of the tree already has thousands of wishes decorating its branches.
Thorne and I walk the perimeter before finding the perfect spot and placing his wish on a branch. Usually, I’d hang my own wish, but there’s something magically charged about this moment, and I know I want him to do it. I hand him my wish, and he doesn’t even have to ask. He reaches over and hangs the piece of paper next to his.
Twinkling Christmas lights make snowflakes shimmer as they fall around this gorgeous alpha. In this moment, he looks magical, and I know, deep down, I will remember this night forever.
