Chapter 3 #2
Our hands brush in the transfer, and that electric spark hits again. Stronger this time.
His eyes flicker to mine, and for just a second, I see something there. Awareness.
Then he’s turning toward the stairs, carrying my suitcase like it weighs nothing.
“Third floor,” he explains over his shoulder. “Watch your step. These stairs are steeper than they look.”
I follow him up, my backpack bouncing against my spine. The stairwell is narrow, painted a soft cream, with nautical prints on the walls. Ships. Lighthouses. Seascapes in muted blues and grays.
“So,” I say, because the silence feels too heavy, “you own a lot of property in town?”
“A few places. This one’s been in my family for a while. My grandfather built it.” He glances back at me, navigating the stairs easily. “Real estate agent handles most of it for me.”
He pulls out a different set of keys and unlocks the door to apartment 3B, pushing it open and reaching inside to flick on the lights.
“Here we go,” he says, stepping back to let me see.
I walk in and immediately fall in love.
The apartment is gorgeous. Not huge, but perfectly laid out.
The entryway opens directly into a large open-plan living room and kitchen.
The floors are wide-plank wood, honey colored and warm.
The kitchen has white cabinets, butcher block counters, and a window over the sink that probably has a view during daylight.
The living room boasts a comfy-looking couch, and there’s a fireplace with a mantel decorated with driftwood and sea glass.
“Two bedrooms down that hall,” Jasper says, pointing. “Bathroom’s got both a tub and a shower. There’s a balcony off the living room, and there’s also a communal rooftop space if you want more room. Pool in the courtyard, but it’s closed for winter.”
I walk toward the back, drawn by the promise of a view, and slide open the balcony door just enough to peek out. Even through the mist and falling snow, I spot the harbor. The lights of boats. The dark water beyond.
It’s perfect.
“This is amazing,” I say, turning to find Jasper watching me.
He’s leaning against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, and there’s something in his expression that burns me up. He was checking me out. I’m almost certain of it.
His scent is still everywhere, filling the small space, and I have to remind myself to breathe normally.
“Glad you like it,” he says. “Your keys are on the table.”
I spot them next to a small welcome basket with coffee, tea, and some pastries from The Flour House. “That’s a nice touch.”
“Real estate agent does that for all the new tenants. Trying to be welcoming.” He pushes off the counter, moving toward the door.
“Air-conditioning controls are on the wall there. Heat is radiator-based, but you can adjust the thermostat if it gets too warm. Rent’s due on the first of the month, but you already sorted that out online.
Any issues, you can call the real estate agent, or if it’s something urgent, here’s my number in case you want to call me direct.
” He stares at me as if implying something, but I refuse to read too much into it.
He pulls a business card from his wallet and sets it on the counter.
I pick it up. Jasper Lawson. Property Management. His cell number is printed below.
“Thanks,” I say. “I appreciate all this.”
He moves toward the door, then pauses with his hand on the knob. “It’s nice having some new faces in town. Gets quiet in winter. I’ll probably see your brother in the morning, yeah?”
I blink. “Wait—why?”
Jasper glances back at me, clearly amused. “Because he’s starting work at Wilde Charters, right? I’m one of the owners.” He grins a little too widely.
My heart does a fun little backflip, followed by a hard crash landing.
“Oh,” I say. Just that. Because my brain has apparently melted into soup.
“Tell him to meet us at The Flour House at nine a.m.”
“Yeah,” I manage. “I’ll… let him know.”
“Great.” He opens the door fully now. “Welcome to Mistberry, Anita. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”
“Thanks,” I say, smiling like my face isn’t cracking under the weight of oh-no-oh-no-oh-no.
He gives me one last friendly nod and disappears into the hallway.
I freeze in place for a full three seconds before whispering, “Shit.”
I just met my boss. My actual boss. The one I’ll be seeing tomorrow when I show up pretending to be a completely different person, my fake brother.
Panic prickles up the back of my neck.
What if he recognizes me? What if he sees right through the suppressants? What if my voice gives me away? What if I trip over my story or forget what fake college my fake brother allegedly graduated from? I shouldn’t have agreed to meet anyone… Hell.
I suck in a sharp breath and press my palms to my cheeks. No. I’ve got this. I have to have this. It’s not my first undercover job.
I’ve got the résumé. I’ve got the ID. I’ve got the backstory down cold.
We’re twins. Duh. Of course we look alike.
And once the suppressants kick in, no one will even think twice.
Right?
Deep breath.
I can do this.
Probably.
I stand there for a moment, listening to his footsteps fade down the hall, trying not to drown.
Then I hear voices.
I move closer to the ajar door, pressing my ear against the gap like the nosy person I apparently am.
“Are you serious right now?” It’s Sandy’s voice, sharp and angry. “You think you can just show up here and everything’s fine?”
“I’m not trying to make everything fine. I was doing my job.” Jasper’s voice is calm. Too calm.
“That’s why you stopped answering my texts. Because of your job.”
“Sandy—”
“No. You were the one who wanted to spend time together. And then the second I started actually caring, you disappeared.”
There’s a pause. I can almost see him standing there, probably with his arms crossed, that serious expression on his face. It makes me wonder what other crap these Alphas are pulling with Omegas in their jobs. Perhaps I should chat with Sandy to get some dirt on Jasper. For the research, of course.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he says finally. “But I told you from the beginning I wasn’t looking for anything serious.”
“You sure acted like you were.” Her voice cracks slightly. “God, I’m such an idiot.”
“You’re not an idiot. I’m an asshole. There’s a difference.”
“At least we agree on something.”
I hear a door slam.
Silence.
I wait, wondering if Jasper is still out there, when I hear him sigh. It’s a heavy sound, tired and maybe a little sad.
Then his footsteps retreat down the stairs, and the front door opens and closes.
I step back from my door, exhaling slowly.
Well.
This job just got interesting.
I’m supposed to start at Wilde Charters tomorrow morning. As Ash Monroe, Beta male, marketing coordinator.
I need to take my suppressants tonight. No one can know I’m an Omega. That’s the whole point of going undercover.
I shut the door, move to the kitchen, and pour myself a glass of water from the tap, my hands shaking slightly.
This is fine. I’ve planned for this. I have my story straight. I know what I’m doing.
Except I didn’t plan for hot landlords. Or ice-blue eyes and devastating grins and the way my entire body went haywire the moment his scent smothered me.
I take a long drink of water and stare out the dark window at the mist rolling in from the harbor.
And if I happen to run into Jasper tomorrow?
I’ll just have to convince him I’m Ash, not Anita.
How hard could that be?