Page 55 of Pack Plus One

“A delivery?” I echo, immediately suspicious. “What kind of delivery?”

He scratches his head. “Hard to describe. You, uh, you’ll see.”

I take the elevator up, dread building with each floor. When I unlock my door, I’m greeted by the sight of...

Vegetables.

Not just a few vegetables. Twelve bouquets of them. Carrots, zucchini, eggplants... arranged in increasingly suggestive shapes. A card sits propped against the largest arrangement, which features a particularly well-endowed carrot surrounded by baby eggplants.

I know you eat all your veggies like a good girl. Thought I’d help your diet along. Call me when you’re hungry for something meatier. - J

Jude’s handiwork, without a doubt.

I’m still staring in horror at the vegetable pornography when my door bursts open.

“Hey, I saw your building manager downstairs, and he said you got a—HOLY SHIT!” Zoe stops dead in her tracks, eyes widening to comical proportions. “Is that a zucchini wearing a... crown?”

“I think it’s supposed to be a...” I trail off, gesturing vaguely. “You know.”

Zoe’s laughter fills the apartment, a full-bellied howl that threatens to bring the neighbors knocking. “This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen! Please tell me you’re going to marry this man immediately.”

“I’m going to murder this man immediately,” I correct her, though I can feel my lips twitching dangerously.

“You can’t ghost a pack that knows exactly where you live,” she manages between gasps of laughter, pulling out her phone to document the vegetable extravaganza. “And this proves it.”

“This proves they’re insane,” I argue. But the ridiculousness of the situation is starting to get to me, and a reluctant chuckle escapes before I can stop it.

“Insanely into you,” Zoe counters, circling what appears to be a radish harem surrounding a mighty cucumber. “So, what’s the plan? Are you going to call the cops, or call them over?”

“Neither,” I declare, grabbing the card and tucking it away before she can read it. “I’m going to focus on my bakery. That’s the plan. That’s always been the plan.”

Zoe’s expression softens. “Leah, honey, I know you’re scared. But hiding from them isn’t the answer.”

“I’m not scared,” I protest automatically. But even as the words leave my mouth, I know they’re a lie.

I’m terrified. Not of them, but of what they make me feel. Of how quickly they’ve insinuated themselves into my life, my thoughts, my desires.

“Sure, keep telling yourself that.” Zoe picks up a particularly suggestive carrot, waggling it at me. “Meanwhile, you’ve got three alphas and a beta who are clearly willing to go to ridiculous lengths to win you over. Most people would kill for that kind of attention.”

I sigh, sinking onto my couch. “I know. I just... I need to handle this my way.”

“And your way involves... what, exactly? More dumpster diving? Carrier pigeons? Smoke signals?”

“Very funny,” I mutter, though a reluctant smile tugs at my lips. “I just need to clear my head. Focus on the bakery for a bit. Then maybe... talk to them. Calmly. Rationally.”

“Uh-huh.” Zoe’s voice drips with skepticism. “And when is this calm, rational conversation happening? Before or after the heat death of the universe?”

I throw a decorative pillow at her head.

Thursday evening arrives with a vengeance. The bakery’s plumbing decided to revolt, flooding the back prep area and sending me into a panic spiral that ended with an emergency plumber, a hefty bill, and a newfound hatred for copper pipes.

I’m opening in just a few weeks! Everything needs to be perfect!

By the time I get home, I’m exhausted. Mentally and physically drained as I trudge up to my apartment. The vegetable bouquets have been dealt with—some tossed, some actually used in a surprisingly decent stir fry—and all I want is a hot shower and an early night.

As I fumble with my keys at my apartment door, the familiar scent of dark chocolate and espresso envelops me.

Before I can react, a warm hand closes around my wrist, spinning me around. My back hits the door with a soft thud as Caleb pins me there, his body pressed close, his green eyes burning into mine.