Page 58 of The Omega Switch: Part 2

“We stop.” I said.

“Okay. Well, I should let you get back to work. I’ll talk to you later.” She said. The call ended.

For a few seconds, I stared at the phone screen while something bright expanded inside my chest. I stood so quickly that my chair rolled backward. Hunter and Ronan were in the next room reviewing security reports when I walked in. Ronan looked up first. “What happened?”

Hunter’s expression sharpened. “Is Ivy alright?” He asked, and I knew they could feel my excitement through the bond.

“More than alright. She wants us to court her.” I said, so full of nerves I could barely speak.

They both stared at me in shock, then Ronan stood, his whole body tense.

“She said what?”

“She realized she’s never been courted, and she wants to experience it. Just one date, though, nothing ongoing. So don’t get too excited.” I warned.

It didn’t matter. Ronan’s entire face changed, and I swear he had heart eyes. Hunter remained seated, though I could see him breathing faster.

“Did she specify what she wants?” Hunter asked.

“She said it doesn’t guarantee forgiveness or a future. She wants us to go slow, and if she changes her mind, we stop without question.”

“Obviously,” Ronan said.

Hunter nodded. “Anything else?”

“That was all,” I said.

Ronan began pacing. “We need a plan.”

I sat down across from Hunter. “What are you thinking?” I asked.

Ronan paused near the window. “Extravagant dinner?” He wondered.

“Too ordinary,” Hunter said.

“We could bring a huge bouquet - hundreds of flowers.” He offered.

“She works with scent and botanicals all day,” I replied. “That won’t be impressive.”

“A trip,” Ronan suggested.

“Too much pressure,” I said. “Also, she’s never been courted by anyone before,” I added.

Hunter leaned back, considering.

“Why not give her something she’s been missing out on?” He said tentatively. We looked over at him.

“You’ll have to be more specific. She’s missed out on damn near everything thanks to her family.” I said, and he shot me a look.

“Exactly. Remember when we found her test results? Remember how we confirmed it was her and not Arabella because of the birthday?” Hunter asked, and my mind flashed back to that moment. Her family had skipped over her birthday like it was nothing. The Carrington family held an extravagant celebration for Arabella.

“I’m willing to bet her birthday was never acknowledged. So a belated birthday celebration. That’s what we can give her.” Hunter said, and I could tell his mind was already buzzing with ideas. “Then that’s where we start.”

Ronan leaned forward. “Not a giant party.”

“No,” I agreed. “Something private. Only people she trusts.”

Ronan smiled slowly. “The best belated birthday she’s ever had.”