“Is it wild to say yes? Confession?” I nod as she winces. “I kinda don’t have a job or an apartment to go back to.”
The old me, the Omega who was trying so hard to not be put into a box, the one who valued where I was in the company structure versus how happy I felt inside, would have scolded my sister. This new me? The one who’s falling for two Alphas, who sees how good it is to let my Omega nature out? It helps me understand Birdie more and I’m grateful for that.
“Greer asked me to extend my trip.”
“They want to court me,” she says and I stare at her. What are the fucking odds we’d be in similiar situations? I mean Greer and Lain haven’t said that word specifically, but they both seem to treat me like a skittish horse.
“We can’t be impulsive,” I admit, and Birdie nods in agreement. She’s never been shy about impulsivity, but something seems to be holding her back.
“I don’t want to be impulsive with them. The idea of hurting them makes me sick.”
“Me too, Bird, me too.”
For the first time since I was a child, I snuggle next to my sister, seeking her comfort. We’re holding each other for a long time until Birdie clears her throat.
“If you were to stay longer to figure things out, do you think you’d give Callum a chance?”
I’m taken aback by her question, but I don’t think she can tell with us lying here in the dark. Because would I consider dating Callum? The kiss…well, the kiss was pretty great. It’s not like I planned it when I did it, but when I saw his face and who was walking through the door, I just felt like I could make things better for him. The way Greer and Lain talk about their past relationship and how it affected Callum, I didn’t want to give them that power.
But then he kissed me back. His massive hands were all over me, I liked the way his lips felt on mine. That’s on top of the fact that I’ve now seen him laugh and smile. He’s capable of not being a dick, and obviously he’s a good enough man to have been in a pack with Greer and Lain.
“Maybe. I wouldn’t want to feel like the reason for their pack having issues,” I finally admit.
“The way he looked at you after you kissed, it was like he’d finally saw the sun after weeks of rain,” Birdie says dreamily.
“It was a good kiss.”
“Hah! I knew it. Graham said he has a way of pushing people away. I guess it makes sense when you feel like you’ve lost so many people. The idea of letting someone in only for them to leave is a hard pill to swallow.”
My breathing is shallow as I ruminate over Birdie’s words. My chest aches over the thought of him losing his pack mates. I’m self aware enough to know that they had a rift in their pack before I even came here, that I’m just a catalyst. But I don’t want to feel even partially responsible for them not being a pack anymore.
“It all depends on whether I decide to extend my trip or not.”
Birdie sounds like she’s falling asleep as she responds. “I’ve never seen you this happy, Mais. I think if Mom were here she’d tell you to stay.”
“And what about you?”
“I think she’d tell me to make sure I know what I’m getting into.”
Her words hit me right into my heart, because wasn’t that just our mom in a nutshell? A woman who had two daughters who were so different, yet she found a way to parent us both. She knew Birdie needed a stronger hand, enough guidance to keep her grounded but not too much to overwhelm her. Yet, I needed permission that she never got to give me.
Permission to not be in control all the time, to finally let someone in, to not sweat the small stuff.
I hold Birdie tighter, allowing myself to lean on her for comfort.
This.This is why we came to Scotland.
Just like yesterday, day time is reserved for sibling bonding, but the night is a shared event. Shockingly, I don’t hate it. Actually, Callum is the whole reason we’re at the top-rated restaurant in town. He pulled some strings with his chef friend, and now here we are, eating at one of the best places I’ve ever been to.
“Can I ask you a question?” I tilt my chin at Callum so that he knows I’m speaking to him.
“Something tells me I’ll regret saying yes.”
My nose automatically scrunches because what if he’s right and I’m just going to offend him more?
“The food at Greer’s is great. Let me start off there. But why don’t you work at a place like this?”
Callum takes a sip of his wine. He bought three bottles to go along with the meal, which seems ridiculous, but he said this is what would pair best with each course.
