I cross my arms. “We’ve got the usuals, but if you want something wild, try the saffron and lemon curd. You look like someone who could handle a little adventure.”
She laughs, and I feel a spark of pride in making her relax. “All right. One of those, please. And a coffee.” She leans forward. “Real coffee, please, not what you serve tourists.”
I like her already.
Thank god the rookie made the coffee this morning.
While I slice a saffron bun, Zane patrols the perimeter of the bakery with his eyes, taking in the details. I hope he doesn’t notice the chipped tile and rather focuses instead on the displays of local art on the walls. He’s still in protector mode, which is weird even for an alpha, but now I remember.
Zane Hawke.
We went to school together here in Seamuse once upon a time. And he’salwaysbeen always like this, even as a kid. The one who would stand between you and a punch. The one who’d walk you home if the streetlights went out.
I guess he took all that to the city with him and into some private security firm, if the rumors are true.
Once the coffee is ready, I pour some in a mug for Helena and then push both it and the plate with the bun toward her. My eyes find Helena naturally. It’s impossible to not watch every move she makes, to not find myself leaning over the counter to get closer to her.
Shit, man.
Zane’s brow furrows. He’s gotta be her alpha. And yet here I am, matched as well.
Calm the fuck down.
Unfortunately, I find I can’t. But Icandistract myself. “So, how do you two like Seamuse?” I slice a fresh slab of butter for the still-warm scone I’m about to inhale to keep my mouth too busy to ask this omega on a date.
Helena sips the coffee and makes a blissed-out face that makes me hard all over again. I haveneverhad this reaction to an omega before. Ever.
“I haven’t seen much beyond the sea and the bakery, but so far, it’s beautiful. We don’t get cliffs like that in the city.” She studies the surface of her bun before biting in, then beams at me as if I’ve performed an actual magic trick. “This is divine.”
No, but you are.
Zane takes a bite of his own bun and just grunts approval, which is high praise coming from someone whose entire personality seems to be grudging acceptance.
We talk shop for a few minutes—me recommending beaches, her asking questions about local history. Zane even volunteers information as well, but it’s clear he’s been away from home here in Seamuse for a long time. The whole time, Zane keeps his gaze on me, as if warning me not to try anything.
I’m a gentleman.
One whose inner alpha is truly about to lose control, but a gentleman nonetheless.
It’s the friendliest standoff I’ve ever participated in, like we’re all pretending this is just casual when every cell in my body is screamingpack, pack, pack. Because Zane must be Helena’s alpha, but if scent-matches are to be believed, then I belong, too.
It’s been minutes. Shut the fuck up.
After a lull, Zane perks up enough that his scowl disappears. “You still play football on Thursdays?”
It’s so abrupt that it takes me a second to realize he’s talking to me, not just scanning for danger.
“Sometimes,” I admit. “It’s mostly for the excuse to go to the pub after.” I try not to let my voice get wistful. “Didn’t think you remembered me at all.”
He shrugs. “Seamuse doesn’t change much.” His eyes flick to Helena, then back to me. “Except for the tourists.”
I look at Helena, who’s watching us with a mixture of delight and shyness. She’s clocked the undercurrent, I can tell. She’ssmart, and maybe a little dangerous in her own right. But she laughs at our back and forth.
She also has had a steady blush on her cheeks for the last few minutes.
“No, it doesn’t.” Then for her benefit, I add, “Zane and I know each other from school years.”
She nods slowly. “That makes much more sense.”
