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“It’s perfect. Tonight is different. The restaurant is having one of their outdoor summer nights. So we’ll be having dinnerpicnic style. The trees hung with twinkly lights, and they’re featuring live music. I hope that’s okay.”

His face lit up. Eyes widened. A smile played at his perfectly pouty lips. “That sounds lovely. I didn’t know they did that.”

“They do.”

On the walk over, Rue didn’t say much. He was nervous. My bear could sense it. I wondered if his raccoon had the same feeling of mate about me.

I could only hope.

“I forgot to tell you how cute your house is. You must spend a lot of time on it.”

He shrugged one shoulder. “I try. Sunday is my gardening day.”

We arrived at Table for Two and were shown to the backyard area where we could pick a blanket of our choice. We were served wine from a local vineyard and given a starter of cheese, grapes, and some cured meats.

“This place is great,” Rue said so low it was almost a whisper.

“I’m glad you like it. Tell me about yourself, Rue. What made you start the thrift store?”

He sighed and nibbled at some cheese. Cutest thing on the face of the planet. “My father. My omega father. He was pregnant when my alpha father passed away. It was a car accident. When he had me, he had to do everything alone. He had no resources. He gave birth with only the healer and a nurse in the room. No support. He barely had money to scrape together clothes for me, and it was due to garage sales and thrift stores. Our gaze was thrifty, but we were the worst off most of my childhood. I wanted to help all omegas. I figured this was a way to do both.”

“I’m so sorry for your father. Is he okay now?”

Rue nodded. “He is. He met another alpha. A second mate. Rare but it happened to him. He’s very happy now. He’s the onlyalpha dad I’ve ever known, so I think of him as my father as well.”

“I love that your work has purpose. Sometimes, I wish mine did.”

He turned those warm eyes on me. “What do you do, Pascal?”

The way he said my name was so innocent and, yet, held promise of something more. “I invest in businesses and manage money really, really well.”

“Well, that’s a good thing. But are you happy?”

No one had ever asked me that question. I’d never asked it of myself either.

“I don’t know anymore. I’m questioning everything lately.”

“Like what?”

We were served burgers and sweet potato fries. All gourmet-looking. House-made brioche buns sprinkled with poppy seeds. Venison burger patty. Sharp cheddar.

“Like if keeping going is worth it, or should I just let the investments grow and find something else that makes me want to wake up in the morning.”

“But you live here in Oliver Creek?”

“I own a house here, but I travel a lot.”

Rue nodded. We laughed as he took a huge bite and had some mustard on the corner of his mouth. I reached out with my napkin and wiped it off. I was gifted with a blush in return. Maybe this could be my life’s pursuit. The happiness of the omega across from me. If that wasn’t purpose, I didn’t know what was.

“Oh. So you’re not here for long?”

I cocked my head, trying to figure this man out. He didn’t say much but, when he did, it told me everything I needed to know. His scent intensified. He wanted me to be around, and I was glad of it.

That’s what I assumed.

“I’m here until I decide to go. But not soon. I promise.”

He nodded. “That’s good.”