Emily’s POV
“I think this is a better color,” I said, handing Alex a deep blue bedspread and matching linen.
“Will it make my eyes pop?” He asked, putting it against his chest and fluttering his eyelashes. I chuckled at his playfulness.
“It is bedding, not clothing!” I said, laughing.
Alex rolled his eyes at me, yet he placed the bedding in the trolley.
We had come to town to replace everything in Alex’s room. He wanted to have Luke order everything online, but I insisted-to Alex’s annoyance.
I guess he was a typical male, not enjoying the wonders of shopping-not that I was particularly fond of going shopping, but I did have my moments.
“What do you think of these?” I said, gesturing to the off-white curtains hanging on the display.
Alex released a depressing sigh behind me, and I turned to look at him.
“Don’t you like it?” I asked.
“Emily, it’s not that,” he said, his face twisted. “I don’t mind the color or anything you buy. It will look perfect; I am sure of it.”
“Then why the long face?” I asked, confused, stepping closer and taking his hand.
“It’s just-” Alex dropped his shoulder, and his gaze landed on my hand. He softly started rubbing his thumbs over my hand.
“Oh,” I said, catching on. “It will remind you of me.”
Alex nodded, finding my gaze.
“I know you are not ready,” he said. “And you have a duty, and I made a promise, but…”
“I’m coming back,” I said. “And I am willing to give you a chance.”
Alex’s face lit up, and his eyes sparkled with delight.
“Did you really?” He chirped, thrilled.
I nodded, and he pulled me to his chest and started swinging me around in his arms, excited.
I giggled, feeling happy and relieved. It was time to settle down, but I still needed to discuss it with Xavier. I think he would be fine with it, and maybe he would even be happy for me.
People started to stare at our silliness, yet we didn’t mind them. Alex was the owner of the store, and if he happened to break something, no one would complain.
Alex set me down on my feet, and he lifted my chin to look at him.
“Say it again,” he said, his voice full of emotion. “I want to make sure I am not dreaming.”
“I am giving us a chance,” I said. “That’s if I win the duel against Angelica.”
Alex’s smile faltered, and he pulled his lips in a thin line. Just the thought of that woman made him angry.
“Now I am certain I am not dreaming,” he said sourly.
“Come on,” I said. “A bit of competition never kills anyone.”
Alex huffed, rolling his eyes.
“You certainly do not know Angelica,” he said.
“True,” I said, shifting my head to the side. “But you can enlighten me.”
That took Alex by surprise, and he rubbed the back of his head.
“What do you want to know?” He asked, worried.
I found his gaze and casually turned and started walking back to the shelf, taking a set of curtains, and pushing the trolley toward the checkout. Alex followed behind me, deep in thought.
Was he worried?
Did he and Angelica have a past?
I shook the thoughts off and started unpacking the items from the trolley.
“Good morning,” the cashier sang happily as she sat behind the counter. “Welcome to…”
Willow growled and scratched to be released, and the girl’s voice trailed off.
Odd, I thought.
I lifted my gaze, interested in seeing what had annoyed Willow, just to find the reason why the cashier had turned quiet.
The cashier openly licked her lips and laid forward on her fist. She stared past me in the direction of Alex.
“Wow,” she said. “He is something else. Check those muscles. That is some eye candy right there!”
I sighed, rolling my eyes, yet I managed to suppress the urge to scratch her eyes out.
“Girl,” I said, lying forward and whispering just loud enough for her to hear. “If you know what is good for you, you will stop staring. His mate doesn’t like competition!”
Just as my luck would have it, Luke walked from the island.
“There you are!” Luke said, seemingly frustrated, as he threw his hands in the air. “I have been looking all over for you!”
“I haven’t gone far!” Alex said, waiting for Luke to get closer.
I chuckled as the cashier’s gaze snapped back at mine, her eyes huge.
“All the good ones are always taken!” She mumbled and started ringing up the items.
Alex noticed that the girl was done and got closer, handing her his store card. Yet again, the girl’s eyes widen, and I snicker behind my hand.
“Alpha Black,” she gasped, swallowing hard. She didn’t expect the owner of the store to be in there. “I-I…”
Alex narrowed his eyes, confused at the girl’s behavior, and turned to look at me.
I just shrugged, trying to contain my laughter, and pushed the trolley toward the exit.
Alex shook his head, annoyed, retrieved his card, and left the cashier standing there with a shocked expression.
“What was that all about?” Luke asked when we were all outside.
“Oh, nothing,” I said. I could just imagine what was going through her head.
“Well, you are finding something amusing,” Alex said, lifting an eyebrow and crossing his arms around his chest.
“Fine!” I said, rolling my eyes. “She was checking you out.”
“And?” Alex asked, his gaze hardening.
“And I might have warned her that your mate doesn’t like competition,” I answered truthfully.
“So you are jealous?” Alex asked, narrowing his eyes.
“I wouldn’t say I’m jealous,” I corrected. “It was just a friendly warning between she-wolf and she-wolf.”
“So why does she look so startled?” Luke asked, looking back at the girl at the counter.
“Uhm, because she assumes that you are his mate!” I said to Luke.
Alex and Luke looked at each other, then back at me.
“How?” both asked.
Their surprised gazes broke the camel’s back, and I burst out laughing.
“Y-y-you came-”
I was unable to utter another word for at least another minute, and I was holding my stomach while laughing. Tears were freely running down my face.
I knew I had done something wrong by not telling the girl that I was his mate, but where would the fun be in that?
Alex huffed in annoyance, and Luke rolled his eyes at me.
“How do you expect me to find a date if rumors start flying around that I am dating?” Luke gestured to Alex. “This prune? He isn’t even my type or…!”
“Hey!” Alex growled, cutting Luke off. “I’m not a prune! I just like to do things on my time and my way.”
I couldn’t stop laughing, and their bickering was adding gasoline to the fire.
“S-s-stop, arguing!” I eventually uttered. “I didn’t do it on purpose.”
I wiped the tears from my face and tried to be serious.
“Look at it this way, Luke,” I said, trying not to laugh. “Girls will stay away from you, and your mate will thank me someday.”
Luke huffed, annoyed, grabbed the trolley from me, pushed it toward the SUV, unlocked the car, and unpacked the trolley.
“So you don’t like competition?” Alex asked next to me as we both watched Luke.
“No,” I said. “Especially when I need to compete for my mate! One challenger is enough!”
Alex nodded, taking my hand in his and kissing the top.
“Then let’s make sure she doesn’t win,” he said.
I followed Alex to the car, got in at the back, and Luke started driving off.
Yet, I never expected Alex to be so sneaky and arrange a little surprise for me.
****