7. Lily

Chapter 7

Lily

I try to focus on the tea, but let's face it, my mind is all over the place. Mostly, it's on Sam. His scent—a mix of smoke and fresh timber—fills the small space, making me feel safe and something more I can't quite put my finger on. But I'm not stupid enough to think it's nothing.

"So, when's your next shift?" I ask, desperate for anything to say, so I don't blurt out something I'll regret.

"Tomorrow evening," he replies, taking a sip of his tea and making a face. "That's hot!"

I chuckle. "Tea usually is!"

He gives me a good-natured glare that makes my heart skip a beat. "Cheeky." He leans against the counter, his muscles rippling under his shirt in a way that makes it hard for me to concentrate on anything else. "You ever think about getting some help around here?"

I laugh softly. "Why? Are you volunteering as tribute?"

His eyes twinkle mischievously. "Depends on the benefits package."

I raise an eyebrow, biting my lip to keep from outright grinning. "Benefits package? Well, let's see. Free tea—though you're not much of a fan, clearly. All the flowers you can carry, and lots of sweaty work."

His eyes widen.

So do mine.

My cheeks heat up like the fires of hell and I hide my face with the teacup, not that it does anything to make me invisible.

He chuckles, setting his cup down on the counter. "Not sure I can afford to pass that up." He takes a step closer, and his scent intensifies, making my already scrambled thoughts even more chaotic.

"Careful there," I tease, trying to keep my cool even though my heart is hammering against my ribcage. "You might end up signing a contract you can't get out of."

He smirks, that infuriatingly sexy confidence radiating off him. "Wouldn't be the worst way to spend my free time."

My mouth goes dry. "Oh, really?"

His eyes lock onto mine, and for a moment, I swear the air between us crackles with electricity. "Well, someone needs to save you from killer plants," he says softly, leaning in closer. "And I think I'd enjoy getting to know you better."

My breath catches, and all I can manage is a nod. His hand reaches out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and it's such a gentle yet intimate gesture that it sends shivers down my spine.

"I'd like that," I whisper finally.

His eyes search mine, and for a second, I think he's going to kiss me. But then the moment passes, and he steps back with a weird expression. I wonder if he's thinking about Jack. I know I am. I'm thinking about how they're packmates, and maybe it makes sense to be attracted to both of them. The elusive Max Hamilton is an unknown, though, so it's not really something I should be entertaining. It throws a bucket of cold water on me and my feelings for Jack. I haven't really been thinking of the bigger picture. But maybe he has. Maybe he knows I'm not the right omega for them as a pack, so he keeps me at arm's length. I gulp back my tea, scalding my mouth as that thought sits heavily in the pit of my stomach.

"I should go," Sam murmurs after a few seconds of me trying not to fan my mouth and probably going purple in the face.

"Okay," I blurt out.

Sam's eyes soften and he gives me one of those lopsided grins. "Maybe we can do this again?"

My heart skips a beat. "I'd like that."

As he heads for the door, he pauses and turns back with a playful glint in his eye. "And if you run into any more killer plants, you know who to call."

I laugh, feeling a warmth spread through me that has nothing to do with the tea. "Cactus Busters?"

He snorts and gives me a finger gun, which I take as a bad sign.

This is a disaster in the making, but I'm not doing anything about it. I'm headed straight for it, and I know I'm going to get my little omega heart crushed.

With a final smile, he walks out, and I'm left standing in my cosy little room surrounded by flowers and swirling thoughts.

I take a deep breath and try to focus on the mundane tasks at hand. There's a delivery coming in later that needs sorting, some invoices to check—boring stuff that usually helps to distract me. But today, I don't think anything can distract me from the memory of Sam's touch or the way his eyes seemed to look right through me.

Placing my teacup down, I turn my focus to the infusion and give it a gentle stir with the small pipette. Satisfied that it will be ready tomorrow, I pull the envelope out with the instructions for Max Hamilton. Whoever this omega is, she is keen, and it makes me jealous in a stupid sort of way that she might end up with this pack—the pack I'm two-thirds attracted to.

Wednesday is tomorrow, so I might as well make this bouquet up and get it ready for delivery tomorrow. I read the note again and deduce that she wants me to deliver it personally instead of Sonya, which is fine. I can do that. It's a relatively slow day tomorrow for orders, so it would be foot traffic mainly. I can close up shop for an hour or so. The wad of cash is more than enough to cover my time, the petrol and the roses for about five weeks, maybe more.

I start gathering the roses, carefully selecting each one for its perfect bloom. The last thing I need is to present a scruffy bouquet to Max. I arrange them meticulously, my mind wandering back to Sam's touch and Jack's intense gaze.

As I wrap the stems with delicate paper and tie a ribbon around them, the bell above the shop door jingles. My heart leaps, but when I look up, it's just Mrs Hargreaves from down the road. Relief and a tiny bit of disappointment wash over me.

"Afternoon, love," she chirps, her presence as comforting as old slippers.

"Hi, Mrs Hargreaves," I reply with a smile. "Need anything special today?"

"Just some lavender for my garden," she says, peering over her glasses. "And maybe a bit of gossip, if you've got any."

I chuckle, wrapping up the lavender sprigs she's selected. "Not much going on here, I'm afraid."

"Oh, come on now," she grins playfully. "I saw that handsome fireman leaving here just now. Something brewing?"

I blush furiously and shake my head. "Nothing like that. He just helped out with the giant cactus I accidentally ordered."

She gives me a knowing look but, thankfully, doesn't press further. After finishing her order and chatting about the weather and her grandchildren, she heads out with a wave.

With Mrs Hargreaves gone, my thoughts drift back to tomorrow's delivery. I should probably prepare myself mentally for encountering Max.

I finish up the bouquet and place it carefully in the cooling box to keep it fresh for tomorrow. The shop feels quiet, almost too quiet, now that Sam has gone, and Mrs Hargreaves has left. I tidy up the counter and make a note of any supplies I'll need to reorder soon.

The rest of the afternoon passes uneventfully, and before I know it, it's time to close up shop. I turn the sign to Closed and lock the door. As I head upstairs, my mind is still whirling with thoughts of Sam, Jack, and now Max seems to be in there as well.

I need to get a grip.

Easier said than done, though. I change into my comfiest pyjamas and make myself a cup of chamomile tea, hoping it'll help me unwind. Plopping onto the sofa, I flick through the TV, but nothing holds my interest. I keep replaying every interaction with Sam and Jack in my head like it's on repeat.

My phone buzzes on the coffee table, interrupting my daydreaming.

It's Jack.

"Hey."

"Hey. How did it go with Sam?"

I chew on my bottom lip for a second before replying. "Good, he helped out with that cactus calamity."

A few seconds pass before he responds. "Good. Knew he would. That was some big-ass cactus." He chuckles, but it sounds a bit forced. Or maybe that's me projecting.

I wonder if I should mention the rose delivery to Max tomorrow, but maybe it's meant to be kept private, so I don't say anything. Now, it feels awkward and weird, and I hate that for us. We are friends first and foremost, and now things feel wrong.

"Jack? You still there?" I ask, my voice wavering slightly.

"Yeah, yeah, sorry. Just got distracted for a sec," he replies, but his tone says otherwise. There's something off, and I can't quite put my finger on it.

"Everything alright?" I press, hoping he'll open up.

"Yeah, just stuff with the pack." He doesn't elaborate, which makes me even more uncomfortable.

"Need a distraction? I've got tea and biscuits," I offer, trying to lighten the mood.

He laughs softly. "Tempting, but I think I'll pass for tonight. Early start tomorrow."

"Fair enough," I say, forcing cheerfulness into my voice. "Catch you later then?"

"Definitely. Bye, Lily."

"Bye."

The call ends, and I'm left feeling more unsettled than before. I down the rest of my chamomile tea in one gulp and decide to call it a night. Maybe some sleep will clear my head.