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“No, not at all,” I rush out, lifting my head to meet her gaze again. “He’s been amazing about this whole thing, actually. It’s everyoneelse. It feels like they’re all watching, holding their breath to find out if we’re really meant to be.”
“Psh, who cares what anyone else thinks?” Lo scoffs, waving a hand dismissively as she flops back down into her chair. “It’s your life, not theirs.”
“I know.”
“Do you?” she challenges, arching a brow.
I furrow my own as I stare back at her, not catching her meaning.
Lo settles back in her chair, kicking out one of her long tan legs to cross it over the other. “You’re a people pleaser, Sloane. Always have been,” she says, the toe of her sneaker bouncing. “And look, I get wanting people to like you and struggling to live up to who our parents expect us to be, but at some point, you’ve just gotta throw expectations out the window and do what makes you happy. If you wanna be with Madd, then screw what anyone else thinks or what fate tells you tonight. What doyouwant?”
“Madd,” I answer automatically. I don’t even have to think about it, because I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.
She gestures to me with an open palm. “There ya go, then. That’s all you need to be focusing on right now, not other people’s opinions. Don’t let anybody ruin this night for you guys.”
“You’re right,” I concede with a sigh, tucking the laptop under my arm and hopping down off the edge of the desk. “Since when did you get so wise, Lo?”
She shrugs. “It’s easier to see the whole picture when you’re on the outside looking in.”
“I suppose that’s true.” I slip the laptop out from beneath my arm, holding it up. “Same program as last time?”
“Yup,” she replies, popping the P. “Just do the manual checks on the cameras and sensors in each territory. No alerts have come in, but we always check each one manually before a full moon run, just in case.”
“You got it,” I say, spinning around to head over to the vacant desk across the aisle from hers. It’s where I typically sit when I’m helping her out here at the hub, and with any luck, it’ll become my permanent spot once I’m officially made a squad leader.
I settle into the desk chair, fire up the laptop, and get right to work checking the feeds. It’s a tedious task, but it’s mind-numbing enough that it gives me a reprieve from my anxious thoughts for a little while. That is, until Avery pops by a couple hours later, right as I’m finishing up.
“Big night tonight!” she remarks excitedly, breezing down the center aisle of the IT hub while the male personnel practically break their necks to watch her walk by.
“No pressure, right?” I joke, exchanging glances with Lo across the aisle.
Lo looks toward Avery as she approaches, shaking her head. “You’d better not be here to get Sloane all wound up about the run,” she warns. “If you are, turn around now and take that energy elsewhere.”
Avery gasps like she’s offended, whipping toward Lo dramatically. “I’d never!”
I chuckle to myself, checking the last of the cameras as I feel Avery moving closer.
“Are you almost done?” she asks, peeking over my shoulder at the grainy camera feed on my screen.
“Just wrapping up now,” I murmur.
Avery waits patiently as I log the stats on the last camera, checking over the list a final time before closing out the program. Then I push back from the desk, peering up at her so she can get to whatever she really came here for. “What’s up?” I ask, combing my fingers through my curls.
“Just wanted to see how you’re doing,” she replies nonchalantly, holding out a hand to help me up from my chair. “Do you wanna get ready together at the packhouse tonight?”
I place my hand in hers, narrowing my eyes suspiciously. “Did Madd put you up to this?”
“No way!” Avery laughs, yanking me up to stand. “I just thought it’d be nice to spend some time bonding with my bestie before my brother steals her away for the rest of the night.”
“For the rest of our lives,” Lo amends.
Avery points a finger at me. “That too. So c’mon, come hang with me.”
I glance over at Lo, chewing my lip nervously. “Do you need me for anything else here?”
“Go,” she urges, waving a hand. “We’re just about done here for the day anyways.”
“Are you sure?”
