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Storm’s brows climbed her forehead until they almost disappeared into her hairline. “Oh? Well then, I guess you will charge MY items to MY account that she picks out. Understand?”
“We really can’t—”
“Do I need to call my fathers and tell them that you are denying me service?”
The cashier’s face visibly paled. “Oh, no! That won’t be necessary. We will do as you suggested, Ms. Vareth. I apologize.”
“Good. Any other scholarship students that come in . . . get them everything they want. No limit. Charge it to me. Got it?”
The cashier nodded so hard that I feared her neck would snap.
“Perfect. Riley? Let’s go look.”
Once again, I had to scamper after Storm and her long strides. I could hear her muttering under her breath about how ridiculous the whole thing was. She didn’t slow her pace until we were deep in the middle of the store. I came to a halt a few steps behind her, my arms wrapped around myself in a hug.
“Look, it’s okay. I don’t mind the limit. It’s more than I’ve ever had before.”
Storm tried to hide her flinch at my words, but I saw it anyway. She recovered quickly. “It’s not about the limit. It’s that they gave you one at all. The school is going to hear about this. It’s not right.”
“You can’t change the way it is done. It’s fine, really.”
“Riles, you got to stand up for yourself a little more. Did you or did you not apply to this school?” At my reluctant nod, she continued, “Did you or did you not get in? Yes. So, they should afford you the same allowances as everyone else is. My fathers largely funded the scholarship program. They are going to be appalled at how their money is being spent and that those students are receiving less than everyone else is. And trust me, putting the few items you’ll pick out on my account will barely put a dent into what this school has stored away. Stop feeling bad and start taking what you are owed. Let’s go build our nest.”
It hit me again. “Our . . .”
“Well, yeah, silly. We only have one. Gotta make sure we both enjoy it. It’s going to be the coziest, most comfortable, and most snuggly nest anyone has ever seen.”
A cart appeared out of nowhere and, stunned, I simply followed Storm’s lead through the store. I touched more fabrics and looked at more patterns than I had ever seen before. Soon, our cart was overflowing. I had no idea how all of this was going to fit in the nest room.
Chapter9
Storm
Unloading all our packages took forever. It thrilled me that Riley finally had some more clothing. I knew there would be some she would need to hang, and I busied myself rearranging our closet so she had at least a little room. Next time I went home, I would take some of these clothes back with me. I certainly didn’t need this much.
As we were putting everything in its place, deliveries fromNest Goodsarrived. I refused to let anyone but myself and Riley into the nest and ordered the delivery people to put the boxes in our main room. We could get them into the nest later, on our own.
I emerged from the closet, stretching. My shirt rode up, exposing my midriff. From the corner of my eye, I saw Riley staring, and I bit my lip to hide my smirk. Her face heated in her telltale, adorable as fuck blush, and she looked away, embarrassed. Hmm, it appeared my cute roommate liked what she saw, the same as I did when I looked at her.
I had never hated my designation. Ever. Until now. I wanted Riley, but I couldn’t have her. It fucking sucked.
I needed a distraction. My gaze caught on the piles of deliveries and my omega side called to me to get started on the nest. Having that room there, empty, was calling to me to build it. I might not be going into heat for at least three years, but the need to have a place where I felt safe was riding me hard. I wanted to burrow.
I had paid close attention to Riley in the store. Anytime that wistful look of wonder graced her face as she touched something, I tossed it into the cart. I was astounded to find that everything she seemed to like, I did as well. It would be no hardship to create a combo nest for the two of us.
Lugging the bags and boxes into the nest room, I dumped everything out into an enormous pile in the middle. I surveyed the smaller space, my hands on my hips. I could feel my omega stirring inside me. She really wanted to make a nest.
I stood on the cushions that lined the sunken floor. The memory foam inside them enveloped my feet and gripped them in a hug. The ORA had provided some supplies for this room, but I immediately chucked them out. Terrible material and terrible feel. No way was I having those things soil my nest.
I tossed all the throw pillows we had purchased today into the corners. There were dozens of them. Then, I grabbed the blankets upon blankets that we had selected, running each one through my fingers so I could decide where they belonged. Soon, my instincts took over. I stacked pillows and cushions up around the edge of the sunken center. I draped blankets over them, creating a den.
Inside the structure, I shoved more blankets and pillows, then took everything out and tried again. It took me six attempts before it felt right. I gave it a satisfied nod and backed out of the dark, enclosed space.
Behind me, I found the sparkly fairy lights Riley had been practically drooling over. I strung them up along the ceiling. Along the back wall, I hung the icicle lights I had picked out. When inside the den, we wouldn’t see them, but it did enough to give our room a soft glow.
Looking around, I spied a pile of blankets and pillows I hadn’t yet put anywhere. I shoved them into the blanket den and started bunching them up along the makeshift cushion walls. My nose crinkled. These weren’t in the right place either. I’d have to start again.
A light knock broke through my brain fog. I popped my head out.
