7. Sadie #2
“Not exactly. I went to college, then moved to a bigger city. But when I came back to visit, I realized this was where I belonged. Where my work could matter most.” I trace the edge of my portfolio. “What about you? Do you enjoy traveling for projects, or do you prefer being based somewhere?”
“I used to think I preferred the traveling. New places, new challenges.” His eyes hold mine for a moment, and I can see his pupils are wider than they were when we sat down.
“But lately I’m finding myself drawn to.
.. staying put. Finding deeper connections instead of always moving on to the next project. ”
The weight of his gaze makes my breath catch. There’s something in his tone that suggests he’s not just talking about work. When he shifts in his seat, leaning slightly forward, his scent grows richer, more complex. I notice my own scent responding—honeysuckle blooming sweeter.
I can tell he notices the change too. His hand tightens around his wine glass like he’s fighting the urge to reach across the table.
When Millie returns with wine and food, the interruption feels almost jarring.
“Pot roast for the lady, steak for the gentleman.” She sets down plates that smell incredible. “And Sadie, honey, Tommy Clanton was in earlier about anniversary flowers for his wife. Seems word’s getting around about your talent.”
“Really?” The news fills me with pride. More local business means more stability.
“Really. You’re building quite the reputation for yourself.” Millie glances meaningfully at Reid. “Good thing too. Pretty girl like you deserves to be appreciated.”
After she leaves, Reid raises his wine glass. “To building something that matters.”
“To new opportunities,” I respond, clinking my glass against his.
The wine is better than anything I usually drink—rich and smooth with hints of dark chocolate and something that might be blackberry. Reid asks more questions about my process, about seasonal challenges, about my plans for expansion. His interest seems genuine, not just polite dinner conversation.
“The flood last week must have been devastating,” he says. “Starting over with all new arrangements on such short notice.”
“It could have been worse. I had help.” I think of Levi jumping into the water without hesitation, of Caleb fixing my roof for free. “The town really came together.”
“That kind of community support is rare.” He pauses, considering his words. “In my world, people are more... transactional. Everything has a price, every relationship serves a purpose. What you have here, people helping just because they care, it’s refreshing.”
“Your world?”
“Architecture, development. High-stakes projects where everyone’s competing for the same contracts.” He swirls his wine thoughtfully. “I’ve been thinking lately about what it would be like to be part of something more... connected. More genuine.”
The conversation feels like it’s shifting into deeper territory. Personal instead of just professional.
“Is that why you’re here? Looking for something different?”
“Maybe.” His smile is softer now, less polished. “I’m finding this town has more to offer than I expected.”
The way he says it, looking directly at me, makes my pulse quicken. Warmth pools low in my belly.
“The Tuesday arrangements should work well,” he says, steering back to business but not breaking eye contact. “Simple, elegant pieces that won’t distract from business discussions.”
“I can have the first one ready for pickup Tuesday morning,” I offer. “Or I could deliver if you prefer.”
“Pickup works fine. I’m staying at the Honeyridge Inn while I’m in town, so I pass your shop regularly.”
“How long are you planning to be in the area?”
“That depends on how the project develops. Could be a few weeks. Could be longer.” His eyes hold mine for a moment. “I’m finding the town has more to offer than I expected.”
The comment feels layered somehow, but before I can analyze it, Millie appears to refill our water glasses.
“Y’all save room for dessert? Got some fresh apple pie that’s calling your names.”
“I couldn’t eat another bite,” I protest, though the offer is tempting.
“Maybe next time,” Reid says, which makes Millie beam at him like he’s just promised to adopt her favorite grandchild.
When we finish dinner, Reid insists on walking me home despite the short distance. We walk in comfortable quiet, but the space between us feels charged now. When a cool breeze picks up, I shiver slightly, and he steps closer without thinking.
“Cold?” he asks, his voice rougher than it was during dinner.
“A little.”
For a moment I think he might put his arm around me. His hand twitches toward me before he seems to remember this is supposed to be professional. But he stays close enough that I can feel the warmth radiating from his body, can smell how his scent has deepened with whatever he’s feeling.
At my door, we pause under the streetlight. His scent wraps around me, warm and sophisticated in the evening air, but there’s an edge to it now. Something that wasn’t there when we started the evening.
“Thank you for dinner,” I say. “And for the business opportunity. The weekly arrangements will really help.”
“Thank you for trusting me with your work.” He studies my face in the soft light, and I can see him fighting something. “I can see why this town appreciates you so much. You have a gift for making people feel... seen .”
The compliment sends warmth spreading through my chest. There’s something in his expression—interest, definitely, and maybe something hungrier that he’s trying very hard to keep professional.
We stand there a moment too long, both of us aware that this feels like more than a business dinner ending. His gaze drops to my mouth for just a second before snapping back up.
“I should let you get some rest,” he says, stepping back deliberately. “I’ll see you Tuesday morning for the first arrangement pickup?”
“Tuesday morning,” I agree. “I’ll have something perfect ready.”
He nods, then heads to his car with that controlled precision I’m starting to recognize. I watch him drive away, wondering what kind of man spends a week walking past flower shops before finally coming in. Wondering what he meant about looking for something more connected.
Upstairs in my apartment, I change into pajamas and try to process the evening.
The business opportunity alone is exciting enough to make sleep difficult.
But there was something else too—a sense that beneath Reid’s polished exterior is someone searching for the same kind of belonging I found when I chose to stay in Honeyridge Falls.
I turn my cell back on and it buzzes with three text messages.
The first is from Levi. Hope you had a good day. Sleep well. - L
Simple and sweet, the way he always is. I can picture him at his bookstore, probably reading until well past closing time, thinking of me before he locks up.
The second is from Caleb. Roof’s holding up well in tonight’s rain. Let me know if you need anything else. - C
Practical but caring, checking on his repair work. Making sure I’m taken care of.
The third is from Reid. Thank you for a productive business discussion tonight. See you Tuesday morning. - Reid
Polite and professional, exactly what you’d expect from a business contact. But somehow I keep thinking about the way he looked when he talked about belonging.
I stare at the three messages. Three different men, three different ways of showing they’re thinking of me. Each one making me feel cared for in their own way.
Saturday night, when Levi and Caleb were both here having dinner, it felt natural. Like pieces of a puzzle fitting together. Tonight with Reid felt different but equally right—like discovering there might be more pieces to the puzzle than I originally thought.
This should probably worry me more than it does. But maybe in a place like Honeyridge Falls, where community means looking out for each other, where people matter more than conventions, maybe what’s happening isn’t so unusual after all.
Pack dynamics are how the world works—one omega with multiple alphas. It’s the natural order of things, especially with omegas being so much rarer than betas and alphas. I see it everywhere in town.
Lila with her three alphas. Callum, Dean, and Julian.
All of them completely devoted to her and each other.
Mrs. Nelson down at the post office with her two alphas who take turns walking her to work.
Even senior Amanda Dunn already has three alphas from her class courting her with her parents’ blessing.
I always thought that wasn’t for me. I was too focused on proving my independence, on showing I didn’t need anyone taking care of me or making decisions for me.
But sitting here with lingering traces of three different alpha scents on my clothes, three different text messages showing three different kinds of care.
.. maybe I was fighting biology and common sense.
Maybe some omegas really are meant to be the center of something bigger than stubborn independence.
The thought should feel overwhelming. Instead, it just feels like coming home.
I set my phone aside and try not to overthink what’s developing.
Tuesday’s arrangement pickup will help me understand if Reid’s interest is purely professional or something more.
And whatever I’m feeling for Levi and Caleb.
.. well, that’s been building slowly enough that I don’t have to make any decisions tonight.
For now, it’s enough to fall asleep feeling appreciated and supported. Like maybe, for the first time in years, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Even if I don’t quite understand what that means yet.