9. Avery
Avery
C ohen shifted in his seat and blinked against the bright light. His dark azure eyes squinted before he looked at me helplessly.
“God, this is painful,” I groaned. “I’m not proving myself here.”
The sigh of defeat was enough for him to stand up and put a hand on my arm.
“You’re not. This is just a bit awkward. What if we just had a conversation instead? If we need to do a formal one later, we can,” he suggested gently.
“Sorry,” I said for the fifteenth time since we started. “Yeah, hang on.”
I adjusted the camera and turned the light from bright to warm. It cast the shop in a softer glow that made the deep greens and vibrant plants come alive.
He was still standing so I arranged the camera to the side and put a stool behind the counter, and mine on the opposite side so it was like we were at a table together. Less formal, even if it meant I couldn’t hide behind the camera.
Thank god I had worn something decent today.
“I may need to get some more angles next time, I’ll grab better equipment for that, but for now let’s try this.”
He nodded and took his seat, folding his arms on the counter so he was slightly leaning in. It made this moment even more intimate.
“I’ll make an intro later, so we’ll just dive in. I’ll edit out any awkward bits and make it look good. It will be small videos broken up into PackVlog sized clips, then the longer interviews will be available on the town page. I wouldn’t mind coming back once I get a new camera to take some shots of the shop if you don’t mind?”
“That sounds great, actually,” he agreed, his smile coming a bit easier now.
“You seem to have settled well into Rockwood Valley. What drew you to this location?”
He took a moment to think over the answer, his eyes never leaving my face. I noticed how they darkened in the warmer light, the dark sapphire ring on the outside of his iris contrasting the deep blue of the rest. They were beautiful.
“Shops like mine aren’t meant for the big city. My parents were always big on travel and luxury. They loved everything about the city but I never quite fit in there. I actually happened upon Rockwood Valley by accident one day last year. It was just a drive to clear my head and I guess fate led me here.”
His smile tipped up at the corners a bit as his eyes were faraway, like he was imagining that first drive into town. I tried to picture it from his perspective. Being nestled in the valley, when you crested the hill to take in the quaint town below and the mountain backdrop, it was gorgeous. Between the trees and lake sparkling among the buildings, it was beautiful.
“I stopped for gas, then had lunch at Starlight Diner. The woman who greeted me treated me like family and answered just about a million questions about the town. When I heard that it used to be full of artisans, I just knew this was my sign.”
“Did you always want to run a shop like this? Was that plan in place before you found Rockwood Valley?”
“I used to spend summers out at my uncle’s farm. He taught me how to make mead. Maybe not the best for a preteen but I loved mixing everything. It felt like making potions or something. When he realized how much I loved it, he taught me everything he knew to the point I spent every school break there so I could soak it all in.”
“I bet he’s proud of you for all this,” I said, gesturing around his packed shop.
His smile fell and my chest ached sharply in response, like seeing his pain caused me physical pain as well.
“He would have been,” he agreed with a sad smile, not divulging more and I was definitely not going to press for details.
“What is your favorite thing here to make, and what is your least?”
He let out a chuckle. “Mead is definitely my favorite. Least would have to be the lotions. I swear, one wrong move and you’ve ruined a whole batch. The trial and error period is always a war zone.”
“Do you have a secret warehouse around here where you make all these concoctions… or potions, rather?” I asked, teasing him a little.
Our chemistry was finally kicking in, both of us leaning closer and words coming so much easier.
I didn’t feel nervous, just curious. There was an instinctual urge to know everything about this beta. It was strong enough that I wanted to keep the conversation going.
He laughed, the sound rich and smooth, wrapping around me and sending an involuntary shiver down my spine I knew I’d have to edit out later.
“When I bought this place, I also bought this cute little house on the outskirts of town. There was a huge barn on the property and I had it converted into my mad scientist workshop,” he explained. “I’ll have to give you a tour soon, show you where the magic happens.”
We both fell silent, sharing a smile that was far too intimate for this moment. My stomach was full of butterflies being this close to him. Even though we were awkward, I didn’t have any of the usual insecurities that crept up when meeting new people.
He felt safe.
And holy fuck that terrified me.
The bell above the door rang and we both jumped apart like we’d been caught. The old woman smirked at us but waved us off, snagging a basket from the front before going off to browse.
I cleaned up the counter so he could do his job, taking the time to poke around a bit. I’d missed the mead selection the first time around, or likely overlooked it because I wasn’t a huge non-social drinker, but I was curious now.
The older woman and I met up right as I stopped at the shelf. She gave me a knowing look and I let out a chuckle.
“That obvious?”
She shrugged. “I know blossoming love when I see it. Just make sure that boy treats you right. Us omegas get enough shit without dealing with jerks, too.”
She sounded like she was speaking from experience.
“Oh, I learned that one recently,” I admitted before sneaking a look at Cohen. “But I think he just might be different.”
“Don’t let one asshole ruin your chance at finding a pack, either.” Her wise words were followed by a wink before she snagged a bottle. “If you like tart, the cherry pomegranate is phenomenal.”
“Done,” I said, snagging a bottle for myself. “Actually, I’m recording some footage for the mayor. Would you mind if I got your name and recorded you shopping and checking out? I might include it in the final footage if you’re open to it.”
Her smile lit up at that. “I always knew I’d find my fifteen minutes. It’s my time to shine!”
I laughed as she opened up her purse and pulled out a pocket mirror, primping in front of it for a second before snapping it closed.
“My name is Sadie Meyers. Video away,” she encouraged.
Following Sadie around the shop was hilarious. She would pose every so often and it was long enough I knew I could snag some stills for the site as well. Eventually she stopped working the camera and continued browsing, offering little bits of her favorite selections and sage advice. This was exactly what I needed. Seeing real people and getting real insight into the town and its people.
By the time we got to the front, Cohen was relaxed and ready, chatting with her like an old friend while I filmed. She cracked a few jokes that had him throwing his head back as he cracked up.
She gave us both a quick goodbye and bustled out, leaving us alone again. Tension sparked in the air as I moved closer, taking my seat again.
“She’s a character,” I offered. It was an attempt to avoid awkwardness.
“I hope to have half as much charisma when I’m her age,” Cohen agreed. “She talk you into the mead?”
“You talked me into it, she just helped me pick the right flavor,” I said, sliding it toward him.
“It’s on the house. Call it payment for the interview,” he offered. He was being sweet, but there was no way I was letting that happen.
My eyes narrowed as I tried to figure out how to nicely argue with him, but he read it on my face and held his hands up. “Sorry, sorry, if you want to pay, you can.”
I softened at that. He scanned the bottle and rang up the price, letting me pay without further argument.
“Thanks,” I said. “I just don’t want to cost the business money.”
That and I had an insane need to be independent. I wasn’t ready for that conversation yet so I just offered a smile and took the wrapped bottle.
“No problem,” he said, not prying. “Any other questions for me?”
I laughed softly. “Only about a million.”
Cohen
Long after Avery left she still lingered in my thoughts. More than that, she’d invaded my senses. I could picture her smile, hear her laugh, and breathe in her intoxicating smell. Her scent was a perfect mix of tart and sweet, cranberries, fig, and a hint of warm spice like a winter cider.
Her questions today were great, and I had no doubt that my mate, as timid as she was, would make the videos look incredible.
We were more comfortable around each other now, but I wasn’t sure if she was ready for me to ask her out on a date.
Though, I already had a list of ideas ready and waiting for when she was. Until then, we could be friends… if friends flirted.
I wanted my intentions clear. Being in the friend-zone was not an option.
As I walked inside my old house I was greeted by the padding of paws on the hardwood. My sweet beagle girls were ready to greet me, though they had to stretch and yawn first. Clearly, they’d had a long day of hunting in the backyard and napping on our couch.
“Hey, girls,” I greeted, crouching down to scratch them both behind the ears, earning some howls and prancing, begging for their evening treats. “I met the woman who is going to be your mom one day.”
They perked up as if they knew what I was saying. Or more likely because I stood up. Lola and Molly were already ready for more treats and knew I’d be cooking dinner, which was of course, their favorite thing to watch me do.
My uncle had just gotten them before his accident left him in that rehab facility. My aunt said he couldn’t take calls and they were strict on visitors, but I sent him letters nearly every week, hoping that someone was reading to him.
My parents never really understood our connection. My mom and her brother were like night and day. She was proper and he was rough around the edges, her tongue was sharp and he always stayed unbothered.
I missed him.
At least the pups were a way to feel close to him, to treat them like he always treated me.
The old farmhouse had never felt so lonely. Now that I knew I had a mate, and a potential pack in the works, it felt far too big and silent.
Needing some kind of connection, I decided to call up my aunt and check in, see if my uncle had any progress.
“Call Aunt Clara,” I called out to my smart device, so I could talk and putter around my kitchen. I had skipped lunch and was starving, but not really feeling like cooking.
“Hey, sweetheart,” she answered on the first ring.
“Hello, Aunt Clara. Any word on Uncle Glenn? I haven’t heard from you in a bit.”
She hummed, the sound sad and foreboding. “He was doing a bit better then caught a nasty cold so he had a little setback. The doctors are keeping him hydrated and medicated, but he is looking pretty frail now.”
“No,” I said, sitting down hard as the words sunk in. There was still some part of me even after the last year, that hoped he’d make a recovery. Yet every time I called, there was a new setback or he was struggling.
I just wanted good news for once.
“I’m afraid so, dear,” she said before launching into gossip about the relatives back home. Truth be told, I didn’t give a single fuck about what my cousin Tracey was doing these days or how my parents were buying something new and extravagant.
Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore and had to get off. I signaled for my pups to go out, a sure fire way for them to lose their minds. The hound dog barks were enough for her to get flustered.
“Oh, I see they need out. Talk soon!”
Just like that, I was free.
“Saved by the beagles,” I teased as I went out back with them, letting them run the fenced in yard while I sank down into my favorite patio chair.
With a click of a button, the fire pit ignited and I settled back, enjoying the fresh mountain air laced in evening coolness.
There was just something missing this time. It didn’t hold the same peace it used to.
My phone chimed as if she knew I needed her.
Avery: Thanks for being a good sport today
Cohen: It was a great day. I enjoyed it, though I feel like I need to know more about you now.
Avery: I’m pretty boring
Cohen: I very much doubt that, gorgeous.
Cohen: I don’t want to push you, but when you’re ready, I’d love to take you out on a date.
She was quiet long enough that I worried I’d overstepped. I let out a breath of relief as the dots indicated she was typing back.
Avery: I’d like that. I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow but after that I’m free any day.
Just like that, my night was turned around. I just hoped she let me in when the time came.
I was patient, but I needed her to know that now that I’d found her, I wasn’t planning on letting her go.