Chapter Six
It was official.
Nory was the best friend in the entire world and the one Delta always wanted on her side when the world went sideways.
Nory had taken the entire day to spend with her, and Delta did admit, she was feeling at least one percent better.
“Oops, Liam is still running late on picking us up,” Nory said, smiling at her phone as she texted.
Delta narrowed her eyes at her and balanced her shopping bags better on her arms. They’d meant to only get groceries, but a quick grocery run had turned into a food run, a hardware store party, and a manicure and pedicure appointment.
Delta didn’t have the heart to tell Nory that the polish would be destroyed the first time she Changed.
Honestly, it just felt nice to relax her feet in warm water and get pampered for a little while as she chatted with Nory.
Currently her nails were painted purple, and the middle ones had glitter because, well, she was feeling spicy today.
One tiny day ago, she’d had a mate, and he’d tried to get his refund for her.
She’d moved through so many emotions over it last night, until she’d gone outside and Changed just to escape herself.
This morning when she’d Changed back, she had been prepared to have a pity party for herself all day, but this was much more fun.
She came to a stop in front of a flower shop with gorgeous arrangements displayed in the front window. These arrangements were so unique, and the color combinations dragged at her attention. Carnations, roses, Gerber daisies, and peonies in every color accentuated the full bouquets.
A man walked in through the front door, and the bell above it made a pretty ding sound.
Nory had connected a call to Liam and was explaining that they were about to have a hair appointment. That was news to Delta, but knowing Nory, she wasn’t surprised that she had planned the entire first single day for her. She was a good friend.
Already they had plans to meet some of the Pack—not Nate—out at a bar tonight dressed in some of her new clothes and wearing some of her fancy new make-up she’d bought.
Nory was a confidence booster, naturally. Omegas were just like that. She’d known Nory was special from the moment she’d seen her.
Delta had friends back in her old Pack, but none that she really missed.
Not like she’d missed Nory’s presence over the past couple of weeks.
Maybe it was because Nory was a rare human Omega that calmed the inner wolves inside of shifters like her, but she also thought it was just Nory. She was kind of just…magic.
There was a little bouquet at the very edge of the display case, and it had lilies in it. Lilys were Delta’s favorite flower.
She could see the price from here, and it was on some kind of sale.
Feeling reckless, she gestured to Nory that she was going inside and then pushed the door open to her own sound of the dinging bell overhead.
It smelled like heaven in here. If there was a perfume that smelled exactly like a flower shop, she would’ve been the first in line to buy it.
Delta looked around, noting the different flowers and plants, and then pulled the small bouquet out of the cooler display case and brought it to the check-out counter.
“I saw you looking at the seed packets over there,” the cashier said. She looked to be in her late fifties or early sixties, and had straight gray hair, and purple glasses on her face. Her smile was easy and genuine. “I have flower bulbs over on that rack.”
“Oh, I think I’m okay. I like gardening. I don’t usually do a lot of flowers though. More vegetables.”
“I’ll tell you what. I’ll throw in a carton of bulbs with your bouquet,” the woman said. “It’s been a while since I had someone come in here and look at the flowers the way you just did. You were smiling the whole time.”
Surprised, Delta looked over at the stand of bulbs. The man who had come in here earlier was standing near them, typing something into his phone.
“I’ve…I’ve actually had a rough week and that is the nicest thing to offer. Any bulbs?”
“Well, it looks like you like lilies. Those are on the bottom. I have three colors. Pick any you want.”
Her heart touched, Delta made her way to stand by the man and made a careful choice. There was a combination pack of pinks and oranges. She didn’t know where she would plant them yet, but she had a couple of months yet to get them into the ground before they bloomed for the spring.
“Hi, you,” the man greeted her.
She smiled politely and ducked her gaze in case her eyes were too bright.
“I already saw your eyes,” he murmured low. “It’s been a while since I saw one of you.”
“Right,” she said politely. “Have a nice day.”
She brought the little carton of lily bulbs to the counter, and as she paid, the bell dinged over the door. Nory was in here now, chattering about a pair of hair appointments she was able to secure last minute for them.
She could feel the man in the flower store watching her, and before she left, she gestured to the small bouquet in his hands. “Lucky lady.”
“My daughter,” he explained. “No lady for me at the moment. My kiddo has a dance recital tonight.”
“Oh.” She smiled at him. “That’s lovely. She’ll love those I bet.” She waved and made her way to the door but halted at a sign she read near the handle.
Now hiring.
“Um,” she said shyly, turning for the cashier. “Are you still looking for help?”
“Actually, yeah. My daughter has helped me run this place for years, but she is moving out of state next month. I’m scrambling a little bit.”
“Oh.” A wave of shyness washed over her as the cashier turned her attention to checking out the man’s bouquet. Right. She should leave and get a breath of fresh air.
But when she pushed open the door and heard the sound of that pretty bell, she froze.
“I’m a werewolf,” she said too loudly.
The woman jerked her attention up to her. “Okay?”
“I guess…” She cleared her throat. “I guess I was just wondering if you would ever consider letting a werewolf work for you. I mean, you have to sign extra liability paperwork, and there are a few hoops to jump through to bring me on officially, so I totally understand if you don’t want to mess with the hassle. ”
The woman stood there frozen, but her eyes softened. “Want to come back tomorrow and discuss it? I think my daughter will want to be a part of the hiring process. We can do an interview.”
Delta just stood there dumbly. “Oh, uh, yeah. What time? I’m available. I can come any time. I will figure it out.” She swallowed hard and curtsied. Curtsied? Good grief!
The guy thanked the cashier, Sheryl, her nametag read.
“Does ten o’clock work for you?” Sheryl asked.
“Yep, absolutely, yes, ten would be perfect. I will be here. No matter what, I’ll be here,” she rushed out excitedly.
Nory was already outside talking on the phone again, and the guy walked past her and held open the door for her.
“Bye bye for now,” she called.
“Be cool,” he murmured as he grinned at her, waiting for Delta to leave as he held the door.
“Yep, being cool.” She turned to say another goodbye but thought better of it and walked out.
“An early congratulations if you land the job,” the man said. “Brian,” he said, offering his hand for a shake.
“Thank you. I mean, thank you isn’t my name. Delta. I’m Delta,” she said, trying to shake his hand as gently as she could so she didn’t crush it in her excited grasp.
“Nice to meet you, werewolf girl,” the guy said, and turned to leave. He hesitated. “Listen, are you seeing anyone?”
“Yes,” she said automatically.
“Pity. He’s a lucky guy I bet. It was fun chatting.” Brian gave her a wink and then checked the road and jogged across the street to get into a shiny black sports car.
“Did you just get asked out?” Nory asked low.
“I don’t know what just happened,” Delta admitted. “I am not ready yet though. I don’t want anything with any man.” There was a lie in her voice. She did have wants. She wanted Nate to be interested in her like Brian had been. A wave of hurt washed through her middle.
Brian pulled out of the parking spot on the street and rolled his window down, waved to her.
She gave a little two fingered wave back, and then she felt something on instinct. Someone was watching her.
Without Brian’s car parked there now, she had a clear view of the restaurant across the street. Copper’s Brewery. There was outdoor seating, and a familiar set of gold eyes was boring into her soul.
Nate.
Nate and her existed like that, frozen, for ten seconds before he offered her a sad smile and a little wave. Before she could wave back though, he nodded to himself and dragged his attention back to the guy across the little table from him. Bridger.
Nate was having lunch with Bridger.
That was wild. They didn’t even like each other.
Nate looked over at her again, looking like he wanted to say something.
“Let’s go,” Nory said from beside her.
Nate was wearing a white T-shirt today and a forest green beanie over his dark hair.
He wore his work boots and dark jeans, and he hadn’t shaved still.
He had the best facial hair she’d ever seen, and a jawline that got him a lot of attention when they’d been out together.
He’d always been clean-shaven since she’d met him, but she actually liked the beard he was growing.
He was the most handsome man she’d ever seen, but she knew that was just her stupid heart latching onto things that didn’t belong to her.
She ripped her attention away and to the ground. “Yeah,” she murmured.
“I didn’t know he was going to be here,” Nory said softly as they walked toward the salon located a few blocks down.
“It’s okay. It just surprised me is all.”
“I don’t think he meant to interrupt your day,” Nory said.
“I don’t think so either.” She felt empty and hugged her little bouquet closer to her chest.
“Shot?” Nory asked.
“W-what?” Delta asked, trying to shake her swirling thoughts from her mind.