Aidan looks at him. “What do you mean?”
He shrugs. “She said maybe if we had met a year or two down the line, things would’ve been different. Well. I don't know about you guys, but I don’t want any other omega. I’ll wait the two years and then try again.”
I frown. “I don’t think that’s what she was sayin’.”
“He’s joking.” Declan glares at him.
“Right.” Rory nods, giving Declan an exaggerated wink. “Joking.”
I roll my eyes. Considering everything that’s happened in the last twenty-four hours, I’m more than willing to make this a “future Jo” problem.
“I told you it wouldn’t change anythin’, Jojo.” Mabel sighs, shoving another sweater into her suitcase. “Nolan is as hot and cold as a hot fudge sundae, Aidan agrees with me, and Rory and Declan wouldn’t know patience if it bit them in the rear end.”
I frown, watching as she zips the suitcase shut. “I know.” I try to choose my next words carefully. “I just…I just want to make sure you won’t regret this.”
She gives me a sad smile. “Regret rejectin’ a pack who think they’re my true scent match? Or regret goin’ to work at a sex club?”
“The first one,” I laugh. “Though the second one does seem out of character for you. Not that there’s anythin’ wrong with it if that’s what you want to do.”
“Wantis a strong word,” she admits. “I just…I just don’t know what else to do.”
“I suppose you don’t have to stay there forever,” I shrug. Then, checking the time, I ask, “What time are y’all supposed to leave?”
She frowns. “Not until four. But I just..want to be ready.”
I grin. It’s not even noon yet. “Perfect. Come with me to meet Addie?”
She falters. “Oh…I don’t know, Jo…”
“Aw, come on, please?” I give her my best puppy dog eyes. “Roland called a few hours ago—she and the baby are both perfectly fine and healthy. They just got settled at Saint Joseph’s down the road.”
That was a fun call to get at one in the morning—that Adela had gone into labor. I couldn’t get a lick of sleep after that. Sam had to physically lay on top of me to keep me from getting out of bed and going down to the hospital myself. Never mind the fact that she was still at the one all the way by Thornfield.
When she still doesn’t say yes, I pout. “I want you to meet my best friend before you leave. She kept me sane at Thornfield, and the baby is gonna call me auntie, you know.”
She stares at me for a moment before shaking her head, sighing. “Fine. But I wanna be back here by three.” There’s no mistaking the small smile at the corner of her lips, though.
I grin. “We’ll be back by two.”
How could something so tiny be a real human?
“Am I holdin’ him right?” I ask nervously, making sure his head is propped up.
“Put your elbow up just a little bit,” Roland directs, and when I do, he smiles. “Perfect. You’re a natural.”
“What are you namin’ him, Addie?” I ask my friend, who is staring out the window. I frown, taking a step closer. “Addie?”
She jumps. “Oh, sorry, Jo. What were you saying?”
“I asked if you knew what you were gonna name him,” I say gently, shooting Hayden a worried look. It must be hard to feel joy in a new life when you’re grieving a loved one. She’s more responsive than she was last night, but it’s going to be a long road to “normal”. Whatever that looks like.
Vander gave his life for them, even if it was partially his own fault.
She blinks. “Oh. I…I haven’t decided yet. Vander and I were between Leo and Aaron. But now…” She sniffs, looking out the window again.
Mabel grasps Addie’s hand at her bedside. The two of them seem to have connected instantly, a silent understanding passing between them as they bring comfort to one another. A kind of sisterhood I’m in no place to take full part of right now.
It should make me sad. But really…it makes my heart happy to see the two women closest to me forming a bond.
