Parker huffs. “Stop changing the subject.”
“Technically, it’s very relevant to the subject. I don’t think Gran would suddenly believe you’re into women. I mean, she did catch you making out with Trey at prom.”
He looks offended that I would bring it up. “I still can’t believe you let her chaperone.”
“I didn’t exactly have a lot of say in the matter.”
“Ugh.” He rubs at his temples. “This is making my brain hurt. You know this ends badly, right? There’s no way this ends pretty.”
I lick away the caramel from my teeth as I study the bare cookie that’s left, considering. He’s probably right, honestly. I have no idea how we’re going to pull off this charade in the long run, but it also feels like Noah has a lot more to lose than I do, so maybe that’s why I’m feeling so calm about the entire thing.
“I’m thinking of it like kismet.”
Parker slinks down in his office chair, running his hands over his face. “Have you even thought about how difficult this is going to be? I mean, he’s not your average shifter. He’s an alpha, Mackenzie. Have you not heard the stories? Plus, you’re an omega! What if he tries to lay some wolfy claim on you?”
“Oh jeez,” I snort. “Hardly. I’ve worked with him for a year, and he hasn’t fallen in weird, cosmic love with me yet. We’re fine.”
“But he’s been on suppressants, right? I know I’m just a regular ole human, but I would think that would make a difference. Plus, it’s not like you’ve been hanging out with the guy on a regular basis. I don’t think passing each other in the hall counts as interaction. Does he even know what you are?”
“Huh,” I say bemusedly. “You know, I didn’t even mention it. I completely forgot. I don’t think it matters. I think the whole alpha/omega thing is just some old wives’ tale. It’s not like there’s many of us around to be making accurate assumptions of how we affect each other. It’s fine.”
“So, are you going to tell him?”
I tilt my head back and forth, considering. While I’m pretty sure that the chances of Noah suddenly wanting to sink his teeth into my mating gland if I tell him what I am are slim—I suppose there is always a possibility. Still. I can always just cut ties if that happens. Getting an actual mate is not something on my to-do list. Maybe not ever, really.
I wave Parker off. “And risk him going all Jacob Black on me?”
“What?”
“When you see her, suddenly it’s not the earth holding you here anymore. She does.”
“Is this a Twilight reference?”
“Eclipse, actually, and don’t look so judgy. I’m not going to justify my obsession with the series to you again.”
“Jesus.” He rubs his eyes. “And if you . . . you know.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Know what?”
“You know,” he stresses, looking uncomfortable. “What if you go into—Well, you know.”
I might laugh at him if I weren’t one hundred percent sure it would make him more annoyed. “Are you asking me about my heat cycle?”
“Have you even considered it?”
“Of course I have.” Sort of. Briefly. For like a second. “I’m not due for another one for months. So no worries there. Relax, Parker. No one is carrying me back to their den anytime soon.”
“I just know that’s how your mom and dad ended up—”
I cut him a look. “Don’t.”
“Sorry.” He winces. “I know you don’t like talking about them. But that is what happened.”
“I’m not them,” I mumble. “I’m not falling in love with Noah at first sight and begging him to actually mate me the first time my hormones go out of whack.”
“Fine,” Parker concedes with a sigh. “So this is really about your gran’s little black book of horrors?”
“Model trains, Parker,” I stress. “Do you know who owned the first model train set?”
Parker lifts one eyebrow. “No?”
“Well, that makes one of us. One of Napoleon’s great-nephews, apparently.”
“Do you think it was because he was short too?”
I snap my fingers. “That’s what I said! It went over well with my date.”
“I’m sure.” Parker gives me a look, the same one he is always giving me when he wants to tell me I’m being stupid. “So why did you agree to this?”
“I told you. I’m tired of Gran always—”
“Try again.”
I narrow my eyes, taking a bite of my naked Twix cookie (it really is the best part, and it is my life’s mission to find this cookie out in the wild with no toppings) and chewing it slowly. “I don’t know,” I admit finally. “I did sort of step in this myself. After all, I’m the one who approached him first, remember? The whole scenting bit sounds like a necessary evil too. I mean, apparently, one little cuddle with Noah, and all the other shifters will steer clear!”
Parker rolls his eyes. “Because that’s not going to be awkward.”
“Whatever. It’s no big deal. And I don’t know. If I’m being completely honest? The guy seemed pretty desperate. He might be an asshole, but he’s a good doctor. It’s bullshit that they would try to take his job when he’s never given them a real reason to.”
“Aren’t we the white knight? Since when do we care about helping out Noah Taylor? He’s not just an asshole, Mack. He might be a demon. Did you hear about the time he tripped that CNA and broke her nose?”
“I haven’t actually heard that version, but I’m told that the whole thing was ‘grossly overexaggerated.’?”
“That’s what he wants us to think,” Parker mutters.
“It’s going to be fine.” I take another bite, nodding to the air. “Totally fine.”
Parker scoffs. “I’ll take Famous Last Words for two hundred, Alex.”
I lick my fingers, still nodding idly as I begin to pick at the second candy bar, assuring myself that this will be fine. I mean, it’s just a few lies and a fake relationship. Nothing bad ever came from that.
* * *
?Another thing that I can count on one hand is the number of times I have naturally run into Noah Taylor at work—this afternoon’s meeting of our new supersecret power-couple duo included—so I am surprised to see him twice in a day, especially at the end of a twelve-hour shift when people are beginning to get out for the morning. He looks surprised, pausing from blowing warmth into his hands under the awning as I step through the automatic glass doors while still shrugging into my coat. The wind ruffles his dark hair so that it whips around his face, and the lamplight casting down on him from the doors makes his eyes seem darker than they are as they regard me. I notice again how big Noah is. Has he always been this tall? Have I simply not noticed because I always avert my eyes when I pass him in the hall? He has to be at least eight inches taller than me, and I’m not exactly short at five foot seven.
“Dr. Carter?”
I stop gawking at him, my mouth quirking. “Is that any way to address your mate?”
“Oh.” He makes a face. “Right. Good call . . . Mackenzie.”
I laugh as I start to wind my scarf around my neck. “You’re going to have a real tough time with this, aren’t you?”