Chapter 57
King
I got Wilder’s SOS text while in a meeting with Blackthorne Ventures. Lucy had been invited to schedule her internship interview, but according to Wilder, she was stressed about it. Leo was making an out-of-town flower delivery and Wilder was on shift, so it was up to me to support our girl.
I tuned back in to the argument happening around me.
My lawyer and Blackthorne’s lawyer had been going back and forth on negotiating a specific something something…
I hadn’t been paying attention because I truly couldn’t give a fuck.
Everything I’d placed in the center of my life—work, image, others’ approval—had somehow been stripped of all its importance.
I’d even found myself online shopping for custom nest pillows during a finance board meeting.
I stood and the room fell silent. “Excuse me, gentlemen. I have to leave for a family emergency, but I trust you have this under control.”
I didn’t look back as I strode out of the room to my car, each step lifting the weight I’d carried on my shoulders for the past decade.
The bell above the door chimed as I stepped into Spring in Your Stitch. The mere sound of it was enough to get my heart pounding because it signaled I was about to have my omega in my arms.
Lucy was deep in conversation with someone on the phone and didn’t notice me.
I took the opportunity to just look at her.
Would I ever get used to her beauty, or would she always steal my breath?
Her gold hair was down today, held back by a pink headband that matched the pink embroidered flowers on her denim jumpsuit.
She was half hidden by bolts of fabric haphazardly stacked beside her, teetering precariously like they were seconds away from joining the piles of fabric on the floor.
It was a testament to how much I loved her that I found her messiness endearing instead of aggravating.
Holy shit.
I loved her.
Of fucking course I did. Lucy was the center of my world. Joy filled my chest like a balloon and I wanted to blurt it out, announce it to the entire town.
She must have caught my scent, because she looked up and gave me a little wave. My heart fucking fluttered as I crossed the space between us and pulled her into my arms, not caring that she was still on the phone.
“Okay, I see. Right, well then, I guess I’ll see you soon. Thanks, Kat.” She hung up and leaned her face against my chest with a groan.
“What’s wrong, baby girl?” My hand trailed a path up her back until I got to her neck. I dug my fingers in, gently massaging away the tension.
“I special-ordered a fabric for a client’s custom dress order, but the fabric shop in Briar’s Landing called this morning to let me know it’s back-ordered for another six weeks.
They thought they might be able to get it from a different supplier, but they just called back and said they can’t get it.
The only thing they could recommend was that I come in and see if they have a different fabric in stock that I could use as a substitute.
And the timing is especially tricky because now I have to go to New York.
” She glanced up at me, her teeth digging into her lip. “Did Wilder tell you?”
“About the interview? He did. And it’s amazing news. You’re incredible.”
Lucy’s smile and murmured thanks seemed strained, and I understood why Wilder had been concerned.
“Do you think you can take time off to come with me to New York?” she asked.
How did she not understand that I would do fucking anything for her? “Of course. Especially since I’m supposed to be on leave from work right now, anyway. Not that anyone seems to remember that.”
Lucy grinned and I curled a lock of her hair around my finger.
“I can make some reservations. Show you my favorite spots in the city.”
Fuck, I’d have to ask Caroline where to take my pack.
Ten years in New York City and my daily routine consisted of going to the gym, the office, and back home to eat my take-out order and fall asleep on the couch.
How was it that my life in Starlight Grove was so much more full and vibrant after only a few weeks?
At least I could take a picture of a hot dog stand to show Ivy’s class, who had fully decided that my job was a fish protection / hot dog vending combo.
“That sounds really fun,” Lucy said, but then her face fell. “In the meantime, I have to figure out this fabric situation. Summer texted me earlier that Harry has to go to Briar’s Landing and can give me a ride. But he’s leaving in a few minutes and I don’t want to leave Blossom alone.”
My eyes widened when the bunny in question popped her head out of the collar of Lucy’s sweatshirt.
“Has she been in there the whole time?”
“Huh?” She glanced down. “Oh yeah. She’s been fussing if she’s not against my skin, so I added a bit of fabric to an old bralette so she could hang out in there. I would just bring her to the fabric shop with me, but Kat is super allergic to basically all animals.”
The bunny in question turned so she could glare at me.
Yes, she was glaring. There was no other way to describe her narrowed eyes and twitching nose.
I kept my expression neutral, but I was tempted to scowl back. What the fuck did she have to be mad about? She was the one who had bitten off all of my buttons at the bakery opening.
“Maybe Lars could watch her.” Lucy pulled out her cell and I held in a snarl at the idea of another alpha helping her. I didn’t give a fuck if it was her brother.
“I can do it.”
Lucy froze before slowly looking up from her phone. “You want to watch Blossom?”
I would probably regret this…but I would do anything to make Lucy happy and she loved that evil little bunny.
“Of course. She can keep me company until you’re back from the store.”
“Are you sure you’ll get along?” She covered Blossom’s ears. “She can be a little temperamental.”
“I’ll behave if she does,” I muttered under my breath.
“What?”
“Nothing. We will be totally fine.”
This tiny bunny would not defeat me.
To my horror, Lucy started to tear up. “God, sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me today. Must be hormonal or something. It’d be great if you could watch her. I just don’t want to be an inconvenience if you have more work you have to get done.”
“Baby.” I pulled her into my arms, being careful not to crush the bunny. “You could never be an inconvenience, and even if you were, that’s what I’m here for.” My chest rumbled with a purr and she relaxed against me.
Was it time? Should I say it? What if she didn’t feel the same way?
I pulled back and cupped her face with both hands. Lucy still looked unsure, but a profound certainty had taken hold in my chest.
“I love you, Lucy. Maybe it sounds cheesy to say, but my heart is yours. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
Her lower lip trembled and a couple of devastating tears spilled down her cheeks. I wiped them with my thumb, my heart pounding as I waited for her to say something.
“I love you, too,” she whispered. “I can’t believe how lucky I am.”
I captured her lips in a gentle kiss. She felt perfect in my arms. I’d never dreamed love could feel like this.
As much as I wanted to carry Lucy up to her nest and fuck her for the rest of the day, that wasn’t what she needed from me. So I fought all my instincts and let her go. I carefully fished Blossom out of her hiding spot. I swear if this bunny bites me while Lucy is watching…
She sat quietly in my hand. Thank god.
“See? We’ll be okay.”
Lucy still looked a little dazed from my declaration and kiss.
“Thank you. I’ll be fast, promise. And if you need help or get busy and need someone else to watch her, Lars and Olive should be home so you could bring her to the lighthouse.”
“You will not rush. Blossom and I will be fine.”
Her shoulders relaxed and I was treated to her gorgeous smile. She stood on her tiptoes and pulled me in for a kiss. “Thank you.” She broke away too quickly and kissed Blossom on the forehead before heading out the door.
“Why the fuck do you get a goodbye kiss?” I muttered. Blossom whipped her head around to glare at me once more. I lifted her so we were eye-to-eye. “We are not going to add to Lucy’s worries. You are going to cooperate. No mischief, no drama.”
Blossom twitched her nose at me before giving me her back.
This was going to be fine.