I stepped out of the café feeling at least ten degrees hotter than when I entered, my mind spinning. I had no idea what had just happened-or how I was supposed to walk back in there tomorrow for my first shift.
Dragging a hand down my flushed face, I let out a long, shaky breath. The cool air outside did little to calm me.
Then, my phone buzzed in my pocket again.
Ah, yes. My saving grace: my mother's perfectly timed, impromptu phone calls. Her latest interruption had been the perfect excuse to grab my things, throw a $30 bill on the table, and practically sprint out the door like I was on fire. Which, honestly, I might as well have been.
The buzzing stopped.
Shit.
I braced myself for the inevitable tongue lashing as the phone lit up again, vibrating insistently in my hand.
"Hello?" I answered on the first ring, already moving toward home.
Her voice came through sharp and familiar, cutting straight through my frazzled state. "Finally! Do you know how many times I've called you? Honestly, what were you doing?"
Melting into a puddle under the gaze of a ridiculously intense Alpha.
"Sorry, Mom," I said, trying to sound casual. "I got caught up at the café."
"The one you're starting at tomorrow?"
I winced. Her words hit a little too close to home. "Yeah, that one."
"Oh, good! I was starting to get worried. How were your adventures today? You didn't send me any photos like we talked about, and I just wanted to check in!"
I rolled my eyes, even though a small smile tugged at my lips. "Sorry, Mom. I was handing out more résumés, then stopped for lunch and... got a little distracted."
"Hmm... those books of yours again, I assume?" she asked knowingly.
"Right again," I said with a chuckle.
"Well, that's okay! I better get going-need to get dinner on. But I love you, honey. Call me tomorrow after your first shift!"
Dinner? I glanced at my phone and froze. Oh, damn-it was already 5:30.
"Sure thing, Mumma Bear. I'll call you tomorrow," I said quickly, trying to cover my surprise.
"Good. Love you!" she said, then hung up before I could respond.
I glanced back at the café one last time, its warm glow spilling out onto the street. I couldn't help but think about the Alpha, his teasing smirk and piercing gaze still fresh in my mind. Tomorrow was going to be... interesting.
With another sigh, I turned and headed home, my heart still racing as I tried to piece together what the hell had just happened-and how I was going to cope with ever being in the presence of him again with out Melting into a pile of goo.
~~~~
The night was uneventful. Morgan still wasn't home, and since my cooking skills were more of a hazard than a help, I ordered a pizza.
With dinner sorted, I settled on the couch and flipped through the channels, eventually landing on Alpha Wants a Wife reruns. Trash TV at its finest.
I rolled my eyes at the over-the-top drama playing out on the screen-a group of impossibly perfect Omegas throwing themselves at an Alpha who looked like he belonged on the cover of a romance novel. They bickered, schemed, and cried at the drop of a hat, all for the Alpha's fleeting attention.
"Seriously?" I muttered, stuffing a slice of pizza into my mouth. "This is what counts as entertainment?"
And yet, I didn't change the channel.
Halfway through the episode, I caught myself actually rooting for one of the contestants-a quiet, bookish Omega who seemed wildly out of place. I shook my head, laughing at myself. I am not getting invested in this.
The thought of him crept into my mind, uninvited. The Alpha from the café.
I groaned, flopping back against the cushions. "Get a grip," I muttered to myself. But it was no use. His deep voice, his teasing smirk, the way his presence had filled the entire space-it was all still fresh in my mind. And tomorrow, I'd have to face him again.
The show continued in the background as I stared at the ceiling, the pizza growing cold beside me. My stomach twisted with a mix of nerves and anticipation.
What if he remembered me?
What if he didn't?
Stop overthinking. I pushed the thoughts away and focused on the TV, letting the absurd drama distract me.
By the time Morgan finally came home, I was half-asleep/half moping on the couch. She dropped her bag by the door and raised an eyebrow at the screen.
"Seriously? Alpha Wants a Wife?" she teased.
"Don't judge me," I mumbled, pulling the blanket up to my chin.
She laughed, shaking her head as she grabbed a slice of leftover pizza. "Long day?"
"You have no idea," I muttered, "I hope yours was better," I said warmly, sliding across the couch giving her a half hug before I got up and walked towards my bedroom wrapped in my blanky.
Her only response was a thumbs up from the couch as she finished off the pizza, flicking through the channels.
And as I drifted off to sleep, one thought lingered in the back of my mind: tomorrow was going to be a disaster-or something I'd never forget.
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Okay have three chapters oh lord ðð
I am gonna run away now ð«
Enjoy! (I hope) ð