Chapter 45
Lucy
Lala
So I had an interesting career day experience. Ivy had another presenter today—an alpha
Mamma
What alpha?
Lala
Oh, his name is King and apparently he’s trying to court Lucy!
Jojo
Another one??
Lala
What do you mean?
Jojo
Leo was at book club today and he’s trying to court Lucy.
Mom
I thought that big alpha I saw cleaning her gutters today was someone she hired, but NOW I’M HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS
The onslaught of messages in the family group chat interrupted the sewing tutorial I was watching.
I groaned and sat up in the tub, the scalding water sloshing around me.
I never brought my phone with me when I was taking a bath, but I’d finally decided what I wanted to sew for Felix and Blossom for the bakery’s grand opening, and it meant learning a new technique.
I thought I could finish watching the tutorial while soaking.
Critical error, apparently.
I dried my hand before picking up my phone, squinting at the messages as if that would somehow make them make sense.
Lala
Lucy! How could you keep this from us? Did you know, Lars?
Lars
Why would I know?
Although Olive has been extra scheming lately
Mamma
What’s going on, Luce? Are you with these alphas? You need to bring them to dinner
Mom
I’ll make my new risotto
Jojo
Leo is such a cutie. Can’t wait to have him be an official part of the family
Oh dear god.
Lucy
Ok ok everyone needs to settle down
We’re not together so no risotto necessary
Although feel free to bring me some
Lala
Whatever you need to tell yourself, cutie.
I huffed and opened Felix’s Feral Four group chat.
Lucy
Whatever schemes and plots you’re enacting, you need to stop
Olive
What are you referring to?
Lucy
Don’t even pretend! I know King went to Ivy’s class today and Leo went to Olive’s book club! And I now have clean gutters for the first time in…ever
Olive
Who doesn’t love education, literature, and home maintenance?
Summer
I am shocked and hurt that you would accuse us of something like scheming and plotting
Lucy
Very convincing
Ivy
Are you mad at us?
Lucy
No, not mad. I know you’re trying to be helpful. I just…I don’t know. Maybe romance just isn’t in the cards for me
Summer
I’m never one to say give men a chance, but these guys really want you. That doesn’t mean you have to say yes to them, but maybe they’ll be able to prove to you that they’re worth taking the chance
Lucy
What else are you plotting?
Summer
Us? Plotting?
Lucy
Fine. Keep your secrets.