Chapter 5 #2
I fight an eye roll. Mari is always playing matchmaker, and in her head, I must have a pack of a thousand Alphas.
“Just a discussion about coffee and tea preferences,” I say, smirking.
Mari must be in a good mood today, because she nods enthusiastically and points to me while looking at Logan. “This one here. This woman? She single-handedly got all three of those orange girls adopted. She can find a good home for any cat.”
Logan’s smile grows as I huff. “I heard.”
“She has done more for our marketing than any advertising agency could. She is talented. And smart.”
“Okay, Mari. Thanks. I think he gets it.” I shoot daggers at her with my gaze, but Mari doesn’t care. She grins delightedly as she continues to sing my praises to Logan while my face flames.
“Anyway,” I say, interrupting once the older Omega announces how single I am, “it’s breakfast time for the cats.”
“We also need to clean the litter boxes,” Mari adds.
I grimace, and Logan huffs a soft laugh.
His smile lights up his face, such a stark contrast from yesterday.
Sure, he’s still a little awkward, but I’m relieved to know that he doesn’t think I’m some crazy, irritating girl.
In fact, I’m pretty sure he likes me.
Especially if I smell like his favorite drink.
“I should get back,” he says. “Our first appointment is in five minutes.”
“Oh! For sure,” I say, ignoring the disappointment that churns in my gut. “Thank you for the coffee.”
Just one more minute, my inner Omega begs. Just one more minute with him.
Which is a ridiculous reaction. I’ve known the Alpha for less than two days.
“You’re welcome,” Logan says, his golden eyes warm and kind. “And if you have any other questions, you can always pop by and ask me. I don’t mind. I was caught off guard yesterday.”
I look at him in disbelief, an eyebrow raised. “I usually have ten thousand questions.”
“It’s fine with me,” he says. “I usually have a million answers.”
It would be clever if anyone else said it, but from Logan, I have a sneaking suspicion it’s true.
“So, what, you’re like a cat super genius or something?” I tease, and he does another gentle huff-laugh. He rubs the back of his neck, an adorable gesture, and my heart warms.
“I wouldn’t say that,” he mumbles.
I open my mouth to tease him again, to steal another ten seconds of his time, when a crash interrupts me.
A pile of folders falls to the floor, and Alvin flies off the counter and sprints to the backroom.
“Damn it!” I hiss. “I left his treats on top of the papers.” I round the reception area and frown when I see the treat container spilled open, little fish flavored kibbles scattered across paperwork strewn on the floor. I crouch and begin to clean up the mess, sighing at my carelessness.
Those salmon treats are potent and addicting to cats. They can make the most scared or angry feline turn warm and docile.
I helped lure Ginger, Coral, and Pumpkin into their carrier with them, and I got distracted when I saw Logan, forgetting to put them out of Alvin’s reach.
“Oh, Alvin,” Mari sighs, beginning to kneel to help me.
“I got it, Mari,” Logan says, his voice almost in my ear. He’s by my side in a second, his broad frame only inches from me, helping gather papers.
His scent blooms around me, warm and delicious, and I hold my breath. When he hands me a folder, his warm hands brushing mine, my womb cramps.
I need more of Piper’s minty gum to drown out his scent.
I’m about to invest in a case of the stuff.
“Thanks,” I squeak, standing quickly and turning away from him. “I’ve got it from here. You said you have appointments soon, right?”
“Yeah,” he says slowly from behind me.
“Cool! Thanks for the coffee. I have to start preparing breakfast for everyone.” I rearrange the papers frantically, not caring that they’re not in order.
I just need Logan to leave so that my core can stop clenching on nothing.
This is embarrassing.
I don’t even have this reaction with Ivan, even though he smells mouthwatering.
What the hell is going on?
Pack leader, my inner Omega whispers. He’s the pack leader.
But there is no pack.
I don’t even have a boyfriend.
Logan clears his throat. “I meant it, though. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to ask me. I’m sorry again about yesterday.”
My first impression of him was entirely incorrect.
He’s not a jerk.
He’s just shy with a touch of awkwardness.
I turn to face him, ignoring the butterflies in my stomach and the chaotic shrieking of my inner Omega. “You’ll probably see me later. I usually have lunch with Ivan.”
Logan’s soft smile falls, and something akin to disappointment crosses his face. “Oh. He’s sick, actually. He probably won’t be in for a few days.”
My heart sinks and my inner Omega saddens.
Ivan’s never called out of work since I’ve known him.
“Oh,” I mumble in disappointment.
Logan shrugs. “Yeah. So, I’ll see you sometime, I guess?”
I can feel Mari watching us, two awkward adults who suddenly forgot how to have a conversation.
Ask to have lunch with him, dork.
I know Logan would say yes.
I just know it.
Just like I’m almost certain he’s not asking me because he’s a little too nervous and unsure.
So, what the hell is stopping me?
A shrill meow comes from the back room, the unmistakable sound of Alvin being his expressive self.
But it makes me flinch, and the worries from yesterday bombard me, almost too quick to decipher.
What if something’s wrong with Alvin? What if he hurt himself falling off the desk?
What if what if what if
“Are you alright?” Logan asks, snapping me back to the present.
That’s when I realize what’s why I’m hesitant about asking for his company.
He’s already seen me panic before and he just witnessed it again.
How can I explain the worries that go back and forth like a ping pong ball in my head, when I can’t even understand them fully myself?
“I’m fine,” I grin, my voice tight. “Thanks for the iced coffee, again.”
“See you soon, honey!” Mari chirps to Logan.
With a tight smile and a stiff wave, the Alpha exits, and I watch his back profile for far too long. Once the front door closes, Mari sighs.
“What are we going to do with you, Maeve?”
I snatch the iced coffee off the counter and take a long gulp. “What?” I ask finally.
“That boy likes you.”
“Okay, Mari, he’s at least ten years older than me, he’s not a boy. That is a fully grown man.”
“All of you are young to me,” Mari says, shaking her head. Her shoulder-length grey hair swishes, and the lavender highlight I helped her put in peeks out from the curtain of locks. “And all of you are being ridiculous.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” I bat my lashes innocently.
“I’ve already told you, I can see a pack before it’s formed,” Mari says proudly. “I said it about Piper, and you were here when I said it about Blair. I have a gift for this.”
“Mari, they were scent matches,” I whisper. “As far I know, that hasn’t happened with either Ivan or Logan.”
But at mentioning both Alpha’s names, my mating gland throbs underneath my shirt collar.
“So?” She motions to me. “You have plenty of time. Just because it hasn’t happened yet, doesn’t mean it never will.”
Another yowl sounds from the back room, and I ignore Mari’s comments to check on Alvin, the sense of urgency all-encompassing.
But once I see him again, perched on a cat tree, I know he’s fine.
He’s just making noise for attention.
At my presence, I’m rewarded with slow blinks and a wide yawn.
But that panic is still there, the feeling lodged in my chest.
“He needs a friend,” Mari says from behind me.
“Who? Logan?” I turn around to face her, my thoughts disjointed.
I realize my mistake as soon as the words leave my mouth.
Mari’s eyes twinkle in delight. “Probably, but I meant Alvin. It might be boring for him to be out here all alone.”
I frown. “He doesn’t like the playroom, though. And if he gets attached to a cat and they get adopted out, that would be rough for him.”
Alvin’s the office cat. He lives in the building, and every time Piper, Blair, or Mari have tried to take him home, he makes it very clear he’s more comfortable in the building.
“I have a gut feeling we’ll find another office kitty for him,” Mari says.
“You seem to have a lot of gut feelings, lately,” I tell her pointedly, and she chuckles.
“Oh, let me have my fun. Let me live through you girls. My time for dating is over—but you? You have a world of opportunities.”
I shake my head. “It’s not over for you, Mari,” I insist, but she holds up a hand to stop me.
“Nope. I’d sooner become a cat than find a partner at my age, dear.”
“I know for a fact that’s not true,” I say, but a long, dramatic whine sounds from the playroom.
I turn to see our newest resident, Maple, leaning against the door and pressing brown furry paws against the glass.
Breakfast is late, and soon, every single cat will make it known the travesty we have committed.
“This conversation isn’t over,” Mari murmurs as I head toward the playroom.
“It is for now,” I hum. “And if you’re going to continue to discuss my love life, I’m not letting yours go, either.”
Mari lets out a harrumph, and I grin in triumph.
I’m not sure exactly how I feel about Logan yet.
My inner Omega wants everything to do with him, though.
She’s screeching like a banshee and climbing the walls of her enclosure, frothing at the mouth and drooling, desperate to scent him again.
Maeve, though? Rational me?
I don’t have any answers, and it’s even worse now that Ivan isn’t here.
I miss him already.
He’s my favorite lunch buddy, since usually Blair and Piper don’t take their breaks at the same time that I do, or if they do, at least one of their Alphas has lunch with them.
I’m always invited, but I still feel like a third, fourth, or even fifth wheel.
At least guitar class is starting soon.
Maple chirps delightedly at me while I prepare her venison wet food.
“Maybe after I learn to play guitar, I’ll serenade you,” I tell her. “Maybe that will calm your stomach down.”