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Maybe that was just expected of me. My father had suggested strongly that I go to business school or be a lawyer if I wanted to make something of myself. He hadn’t had a lot of money growing up, and he wanted more for me. Didn’t want me to suffer as he had.

The person I saw in the mirror? He had everything, but none of it really meant anything. Everything I’d worked for, I would give it up in a second if it meant a life with the man I’d gone out with the night before.

He’d been so sweet and loving. Our first kiss turned my world upside down. We talked about anything and everything and some things in between.

There was a connection between us that I’d never had. The connection of an alpha and his omega. His fated omega.

When I came home, I wanted a vacation away from the business world and the first-class airline seats. Anything staled if you overdid it, and I’d definitely overdone the traveling lately.

I’d made the deal though. The deal of the century had come through, and this morning, I received the email telling me the news. I was set for life. I’d lived out of a suitcase for the last fewyears, working my ass off, and now, I had enough money in the bank to last the rest of my life. Enough to live well.

It was time I took a longer break.

I walked the square footage of my house and took in things. If I was going to stay here for a while, and I was, I needed to make this place seem more like a home instead of a rental home.

Rue had the place I wished mine was. Through the window, I had seen his comfortable furnishings lit by soft, welcoming lighting. I wanted that for me and for him. One day, he might stay over here and I wanted him to feel at home.

I wanted to feel at home. And the furniture I had now? It didn’t screampull up a chair and stay awhile. It screamed,don’t get too comfortable.

With a list in my hand, I stared at the phone, wondering if it was too early to call him. Not early in the morning but not enough time after our date.

Ugh. These rules. There were no rules when it came to your mate.

The phone rang twice before he answered. “Hello?”

“Rue, good morning.”

He chuckled. “Good morning. How’d you sleep?”

Would’ve been better if it had been next to him. “Well, and you?”

“Very well. The fresh air was good for me and the company.”

The blush he was probably sporting… Oh, man, I wanted more of that blush in my life. “I’m so happy you had a good time. I was wondering if you’d like to go out this weekend? I’m not sure what hours the store has.”

“I can ask my assistant to cover Saturday if you have something in mind.”

“So would you like to? Go out with me again.”

He paused and, for a second, my heart banged against my chest. “Yes. I would like that.”

“That’s great. I’ll pick you up at seven on Saturday morning. I have something special in mind. Bring a change of clothes, just in case. Very casual, okay?”

His store was busy. I heard the customers in the background. “I’ll see you then. You…you can text me later if you like. I stay up late.”

Chuckling, I put my hand to my chest. My omega was quite the shy one. “I’ll remember that. Why don’t you text me when you get home? Let me say good night.”

“Okay. Good night. I mean, bye, Pascal.”

He hung up first, and I was glad for it. Otherwise, I would’ve stayed on with him, listening to his lovely voice forever.

Now, I had some work to do. I needed to fix up my house. My life was a few choices away from everything I didn’t realize I wanted.

I got online and shopped for new furniture. Nothing that implied corporate home away from home but cottagecore and comfortable. A plush couch. A small, round table for the kitchen. Curtains instead of blinds. A few soft rugs. All new blankets and pillows for the sofas and my bed.

I pictured Rue in my bed, his naked form beneath my covers. Sleepy eyes. Raspy voice. Saying good morning as I brought him breakfast in bed.

After ordering a ton of things to be delivered ASAP, I made my way to the hardware store and picked out my paint scheme. Well, I let the man at the counter select cream wall color with lavender accents. Somehow, he’d fit my omega’s scent without even knowing it.