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I licked my lips, hoping for one last taste of my new alpha, and got that tiny hit of coconut mixed into his key lime pie that helped distinguish this alpha’s scent from a certain similar one.
Chapter Thirteen
Theschoolletmetake over one of the large classrooms for the volunteer event for Stuff Santa’s Sack. My father’s administration started the charity to deliver wrapped toys to less fortunate children. I loved the cause and being able to combine it with my love of Christmas. I hoped to continue working with them long after the end of my father’s term.
“Toys for older kids go over on that table,” I directed a beta with an armful of gifts. We had the room divided by age, and while we tried not to divide by gender, we did end up wrapping some gifts in such a way to hint what might be inside. No one wanted a kid hoping for the latest superhero action figure to end up with a princess doll or vice versa.
“This is a great turn out!” Anna gushed.
I looked around the room and laughed. “Most of these girls are here for Tanner. Poor girls.”
“Why would they think they have a chance? Do you see the way he’s looking at Kara? The rest of us may as well not be here.”
“Well, I’m glad the rest of us are here, or these gifts wouldn’t get wrapped.”
“Oh, look who else is here.” Anna nodded toward the door.
I glanced over my shoulder as Will strode in with Hunter.Huh. I didn’t expect them to be here.
“Good,” I declared. “They could probably use some volunteering to help clean their souls.”
“Ouch,” Anna laughed at me, rolling her eyes. “What a sick burn.”
I directed all the volunteers to their various stations, and we got to work wrapping gifts. Some people took pride in their packages, others looked a little rough. But the kids were going to love it, and that’s what counted.
I was tying off a bow when Will’s lime scent got my attention behind me. I spun around, irritated to be interrupted.
“What—” I stopped short. It wasn’t Will, it was Grant.
“Not excited to see me?” He gave me an odd look.
“No, of course I am! You just smelled… like someone else. Sorry. Of course I’m glad you could make it!” I was stumbling over my words. I reached out and grabbed his hands in mine. “Work here with me.” I pointed to a spot at my table.
He beamed. “Gladly. Put me to work, Mrs. Claus.”
We worked side by side for about an hour, wrapping gifts and telling jokes and just generally enjoying each other’s company. I loved it.
He was telling me again about how much he loved working at the governor’s office each summer, and he mentioned he already had some slogans ready for his own campaign.
“I was thinking of playing off my last name. Maybe I’ll go with ‘We Want Moore!’ or maybe ‘Grant us Moore!’ But that one might be a bit too much, you know?”
He wasn’t really looking for feedback, so I just smiled and nodded, taking a second to scan the room. I caught Will’s eye across the room, and he didn’t look happy despite the large pile of wrapped gifts beside him. Grant’s voice pulled my attention back to him.
“Have you told your father that we’re courting?”
“No, not yet. I haven’t talked to him much since the Season started. It’s just been so hectic.”
He threw an arm around me. “Oh, well, I’m sure he’ll approve of our match when you tell him.”
I nestled into his side, letting his scent cover me, and gave him a big smile. “I’m sure he will too.”
“Okay, that’s it for today!” I started a round of applause for the volunteers when we gathered at the end of the event. “Thank you all so much for coming today! It really means a lot to me and my family that you all gave up your afternoon to help Stuff Santa’s Sack!”
“Haha. Santa’s Sack—” I heard a chuckle, the whispered remark, and then the sound of an elbow to the gut. I glanced over, and Hunter was doubled over, groaning, while Will was still innocently paying attention to my wrap-up. I wasn’t surprised someone had made a joke about the name. Father’s team hadn’t really thought like a teenage boy when they named his charity.
Anna and I stood by the door and thanked everyone who had come to help as they left.
“If I hang around, can I walk you home?” Grant asked, ever the gentlemen.
