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“How are you doing, sweetie?” I don’t miss the assessing way Nina tracks me as I duck down into her car. My eating habits must be getting the better of me because my pants almost didn’t button this morning, and the way she’s looking at me, it’s noticeable now to others.
“I’m good, and yes, I know, I’ve gained some weight.” I can’t help but pat my donut belly.
“I didn’t say a thing.” She doesn’t sound like she wasn’t thinking it, though.
“The way you were just looking at me had me think it.” Self-consciously, I pull on my shirt.
“I was going to tell you you’re glowing.” Backing out, she keeps up the small talk. “How are you feeling, by the way?”
“A lot better since I got here. I haven’t had any chest pains since the other night, but my gut is still not liking me. Is that normal? Will that go away soon?” I know if anyone has answers, it’ll be Nina.
“That’s good.” She nods. “Miles has had his moments, but he’s a good man, Alexa. I’m not just saying that as his mother. He’ll do right by you and love you with his entire heart, whether you let him or not.” She didn’t answer my questions. I don’t know if she just doesn’t know either or is evading them.
I don’t know what to say, so I decide to review my list. My hunger was getting the better of me while we made this up.Everything sounds so good, and now I regret adding so many things.
We don’t go all the way to Fetterman for groceries. Rocky has a small mom-and-pop joint that should have everything we need. It makes the trip shorter, allowing me a break from trying to find something to talk to Nina about. I haven’t spent any time with her other than at Rylie’s bridal shower.
“I called ahead and ordered something across the street. You go ahead in, and I’ll be there in a minute,” Nina tells me while shouldering her purse.
“Okay.” I don’t think Miles will like hearing that, but I’ll take the small amount of freedom all the same. I grab a cart and head into the store to start stacking things into it.
For a weekday, the store bustles with retirees and a few moms with small children. Making my way up and down the aisles, I find nearly everything we could think of before I head to the refrigerated section, where my cart is grabbed and spun to a stop.
“You have some nerve coming in here.”
“Wh—?”
“You just had to show up and ruin everything, didn’t you?” The question comes from my right just as Thea appears. “I’m only going to say this once; I wantyouto leave Miles and go back to wherever the hell you came from.”
“Excuse me?” This is bewildering. How is it I’m constantly running into this woman?
“He’s mine, bitch.” Spittle flies from her mouth.
I’m stunned for all of two seconds before the dam breaks. “He’s a big boy and can choose who he wants to be with on his own. Well, not really now, can he?” I stop for a second to tapmy chin thoughtfully. “He has nature controlling him, doesn’t he? And it’s telling him it’s me.” I’m not backing down now. I’m getting a better understanding of the whole mates thing. I need to woman up and deal with her.
“Leave, or you’ll regret it. I know people—”
“Thea Jayne, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at work?” Nina, appearing out of nowhere, beams as she comes to stand next to me.
“Oh, hello, Mrs. Fischer.” Thea pushes a lock of her overly dyed hair behind her ear and shuffles on her feet. “I was just stopping to grab something before I headed in for work.”
“I’m sure.” Nina’s smile morphs without even looking like it did. From sweet and innocent to filled with venom. “Now, be a good girl and walk out of here. You’ll not say another word to Miles or Alexa. Nature has spoken, and once again, it didn’t pick you.”
Ouch.
Holy cow, I didn’t think Nina could be this ruthless. Thea must be used to it because she doesn’t argue. She only drops her head and leaves.
“You don’t marry an alpha and learn to read through other people’s bullshit for nothing,” Nina states.
“Miles isn’t an alpha,” I point out. It’s clear just from seeing the dynamics that Mason is.
“No, he isn’t, but he’s close to being one.” She dusts off her hands. “Now, let’s finish your list. You’ll get used to her. Honestly, her bark is way worse than her bite. Once all the guys are paired off, she’ll finally move on and hopefully strive to do better in her life. She used to be such a sweet girl.”
“How does she know?” I whisper as she guides me down the aisle.
“She’s Roper’s cousin, and we aren’t required to keep that a secret from family.”
“Rylie didn’t know,” I point out.
