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Adrian rests his hand on my shoulder. “You don’t need to be shy or embarrassed by your family. I’m sure they’re more normal than you think. I’ve met a lot of strange and interesting families in my life.”
I respond with a nod.
I just wish he didn’t have to meet mine.
“Didn’t you receive my message, Scarlett?” Ms. Sandy sets down one of the mini blenders. “My afternoon barista called in sick, so I had to ask Chaz. I know how your pack feels about him, so I figured you wouldn’t come in.”
I’ve managed to avoid Chaz by changing seats in my World Literature class, and because I stay a minute later than usual and Jonah always follows behind me as if he’s leaving for the day, Chaz hasn’t bothered me at all. I’m pretty certain he got the hint after I told him to leave me alone.
“It’s fine. I want to get as much done as I can because I’m going away for the weekend.” I pull my hair up into a high ponytail and secure it in place. “My pack is a bit overprotective.”
“As they should be.” Ms. Sandy knows I’m an omega and set to be engaged. What she doesn’t know is that my alphas also have tenure at my university. “I wouldn’t expect anything less, even though Chaz is harmless. A bit crude and entitled, but I’ll make sure he doesn’t bother you.”
She also knows not to tell anybody about my order, which she has respected.
“Thank you,” I say, heading around the counter into the stock room with all my supplies. I’ve spent the last time here sketching out my Halloween illustrations on huge pieces of paper that I can tape to the window. Ms. Sandy also has me cover my work when I’m done, wanting to keep things a surprise. It’s exciting how she treats this little project more as a revelation for a piece of art she’s acquired. It’s more fun that way too.
I grab my smock and window paints, heading to the front. Fake spiderwebs and skeletons pop up in new places around the coffee shop, and I love how much Ms. Sandy enjoys the holiday as I do. I put in my earbuds and turn on my music, tuning out the world around me. The cool, crisp ocean breeze plays with the loose strands of hair around my neck. I pull my sleeves down, working on mixing the paint I need for the first windowpane, inspired by Van Gogh with a gothic twist on my part.
A shadow grabs my attention, and I turn and spot a man in a suit watching me work. I flick my attention away from him, trying not to let his silent presence mess me up. It’s not as if no one has ever watched me paint before.
I continue to work, splitting my attention between the silent man in the suit and getting my outlines in order. This window display will take a couple of layers for me to perfect, because I need to make sure it looks good on both sides.
The man moves closer, drawing my focus again. He taps his ear, motioning for me to pull out one of my earbuds. I pause my music and pull both earbuds out, letting them hang around my shoulders.
“I’m sorry to bother you, miss. I just can’t help admiring your work. Are you a barista here?” the man asks, crossing his arms over his broad chest as he trains his gaze on the outline instead of me.
“No, I’m a commissioned artist.” I offer a smile and turn back to the window, unsure of whether or not I should continue the conversation.
“That’s wonderful news to hear. I saw you sketching inside the other day, which is why I came back, hoping to see the progress. I have my daughter’s wedding coming up, and I would love to see more of your art. Do you have a portfolio?” The man steps closer, his fragrance trickling to my nose, the musky, woodsy scent of patchouli distracting my senses. He’s an alpha. I can tell from feet away.
“Not with me, but if you give me your email, I can send it over. What are you looking for?” I set my paintbrush down, my heart rapping against my ribcage at the thought of another art gig. I thought this would probably be my only one ever.
“The reception is being held at the Clearwater Beach Club down the road. I’d love to have some of the windows painted to match her color schemes. Maybe flowers or something from nature. I don’t know exactly, but I can also put you in touch with her.” The man proffers his hand. “I’m Paul, by the way.”
It takes everything in me to shake the man’s hand, knowing that he’ll leave his scent on my skin. He obviously doesn’t know I’m an omega, considering that I’m using suppressant lotion. If he did, he wouldn’t make such a gesture.
“It’s nice to meet you, Paul. I’m Scarlett.” I tug my hand away and turn back to my mural. “I’m a bit messy to grab my phone, so can you just write your email down and leave it with Ms. Sandy at the counter? I have to get back to work.”
Paul smiles and takes a step away. “Yes, of course. I look forward to seeing the rest of this incredible mural. You’re very talented, Scarlett.”
Paul leaves me to my work, and I peek at him through the window, watching as he orders coffee and writes on the back of the receipt, handing it to Ms. Sandy. She turns her attention to me from across the counter and smiles, waving the paper.
“Won’t your dad get pissed off that you’re getting strangers’ numbers, Dickasso?” Chaz’s voice sounds from behind me. “Especially that old dude. He’s a prick.”
I spin, flicking paint across the front of his face. “Shit, I’m sorry.” I grab a rag and toss it toward him. “You scared me.”
He chuckles. “Sorry about that. But really, that guy, Dickasso? You know you don’t have a chance with an alpha. Do you have one of those kinks? You want to pretend to be his little omega? You can do that with me, too.”
Fuck me. This asshole. I know better than to engage, so I turn away from him.
“It’s not like that. He was interested in commissioning some art.” I ignore Chaz moving closer. “You know people don’t always have the same intentions as you.”
“If you say so, Dickasso.” Chaz tosses his rag right into my paint pallet. “I see the way you look at me.”
“That’s all in your head.” I snatch up the rag, my anger getting the best of me. He’s about to swallow this damn cloth because he just messed up my color combinations.
“In your dreams too.” Chaz wags his eyebrows, twirling his fingers at me. “You’re only lying to yourself.”
