Page 125 of The Boss Omega
Lark puts her hand out to shake mom’s hand, but she just swats it away, pulling Lark in for a tight hug instead. “Jeremy says you’ve met.”
Lark turns toward my pops.
“How are you feeling?” he asks.
A slight blush graces her cheeks, but she meets his eyes easily enough. “Really good.” His mouth twitches like he knows exactly what she means but he doesn’t say it.
Dad puts out his hand. “Al,” he says, “Or dad. Whichever you prefer.” Lark just nods then turns to greet my third father.
“Hello, I’m Lark.” She sticks out her hand.
He gives her a slow, measured look before nodding once, then taking her hand in his. “Daniel.”
Lark meets it without flinching. I exhale. Daniel has made grown alphas uncomfortable with that look.
“Geez, Daniel,” Lucy says bumping him out of the way with her hip. “Don’t gush.”
Dad chuckles. “Find a seat, everyone. Food’s almost ready.”
We gather around the long outdoor table. It was one of the first pieces I made when I started my business.
“This is nice,” Lark says, running her palm along the top.
“Silas made it,” my mom beams.
Lark sits down and Lucy immediately grabs the seat to her left. As her newly bonded mate, I take the one to her right. Dad places a plate piled high with burgers in front of us. I place one on Lark’s plate before taking two for myself, then pass the plate around. We’re all quiet as we fix our burgers.
“Lucy, dear. You need to eat the burger. Your doctor said you need more protein.”
Lucy huffs, picking up the burger. “I’m trying. It doesn't taste right.”
Lark turns to face my sister. “Has your appetite not returned?”
Lucy shrugs. “I still can’t smell anything, so everything tastes off.”
Graham looks up immediately. “Still no return of your sense of smell? What does the doctor say about it?”
Lucy shakes her head. “He says it’s normal. Most people get it back within six months after the chemo ends.”
Lark looks thoughtful. “What about things that are really intense in flavor? Like a sour pickle or a super sweet donut?”
Lucy nods. “Yeah, stuff like that has some flavor for me. It’s not the same, but I can taste it.”
Lark doesn’t say anything, just pushes the spicy mustard and plate of pickle slices closer to Lucy. Without comment, Lucy piles additional pickles on her burger and then smothers it in mustard before taking a bite.
“So, Lucy, are you thinking of starting back to school?”
My sister swallows and turns her eyes on Saint. “Maybe in January, if everything goes well.” She takes a deep breath. “I think I’m ready to get my own apartment though.”
The table goes quiet.
Mom reacts first. “Absolutely not,” she says. “You need to stay here where I can take care of you.”
“I love you, Mom, but I need my own space.”
I tense beside Lark. I don’t like it either. Not yet. She’s still recovering. But before I can say that Lark speaks.
“My apartment’s sitting empty,” she says. “You could stay there.”
