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~September~

I scanned the electronic manifest and checked it against the packages in my truck. Not that I thought anything was missing—my loader was great at her job—but better safe than sorry. I didn’t want anybody on my route desperately watching their tracking numbers only to be disappointed because I’d left something at the shipping hub.

Satisfied that everything was loaded and secured, I climbed into the front of my truck, double-checked that I hadn’t forgotten anything on my vehicle safety checklist, and headed out.

The start of my day was always the most hectic and required the most knowledge of my route. I only had a couple of hours to get packages into the hands of people with overnight or guaranteed delivery times, so I couldn’t waste precious minutes stopping at businesses that wouldn’t open for another hour or more.

That was where experience trumped technology. A computer could design the route that took the shortest time or used the least gas, but that was all for nothing if I had to make several trips. I knew which businesses opened when, and where a person would be available for a signature. I was on a first-name basis with the overnight security guard at one state building and was regularly greeted with cheers from the graveyard shift factory guys when I walked in bearing a critical part. Bleary-eyed receptionists would set aside their morning coffee to scrawl their signatures as offices opened. Finally, small shops in strip malls would start opening their doors in the last two hours before guaranteed delivery cutoffs.

I glanced at the dash clock while waiting at a red light.

Six forty-five, perfect.

Rush hour traffic was about to start, but I had enough time to get ahead of it. I’d knock out the earliest deliveries and start rolling up to the office buildings just as the employees settled in.

It was a good morning. The early sun had painted the sky in tones of pink, purple, and gold. My favorite station played one good song after another, and the traffic lights seemed to like me.

I was right where I wanted to be on my schedule as I pulled into the parking lot of a law firm at half past eight. I grabbed their normal assortment of large envelopes and small parcels, then hopped down from my truck. I ran my hand through my black hair as I strode toward the entrance.

“Hey, good lookin’,” I teased as I stopped at the reception desk and set the delivery on the counter.

The receptionist, a petite blond omega named Bryce, fluttered his eyelashes. “Oooh, second handsome alpha of the day to flirt. Lucky me.”

I clutched my hand to my chest and stumbled back. “Second?

He giggled. “Tripp beat you here today.”

I gasped. “Not Tripp! My archnemesis!”

My thoughts briefly flitted to the other alpha, who worked for a rival delivery company. I could easily imagine him flirting. His brown hair, green eyes, and boyish good looks probably landed him plenty of omegas.

Bryce crossed his arms and smirked. “Serves you right for taking so long,” he stated, interrupting my thoughts.

My eyes flicked to the clock above his head. “It’s not even nine yet.”

He nodded. “Like I said, you’re slow today.”

“Oh, them’s fightin’ words,” I laughed.

“Aw, you know me. I’m a lover, not a fighter.”

I winked. “So you can dish it out, but not take it?”

“Oh, I can take it,” he smirked. “But we’re thinking of different… its. ”

I waggled my finger. “Nope. You’re cute, but I know better.”

He crossed his arms and huffed at me. “Are you calling me high maintenance or something?”

I shook my head. “No. Just that I can tell you’re a man who likes to be shown off. You need an alpha who can take you to parties and events. Sometimes I go to the bar, but, for the most part, I’m a homebody after work. My idea of a nice night is a home-cooked meal, and cuddling to whatever’s on the TV.”

Bryce scrunched his nose. “That’s no fun.”

I nodded. “And that’s why I know better. Wasting time with me would only make it harder for you to find the alpha who can show you off like you deserve.”

“Ok, ok. Flirting only. You know I can’t resist those blue eyes of yours.” He grinned. “See you this afternoon for the outbound?”

“Of course.”

He batted his eyelashes at me. “Looking forward to it.”

I chuckled, shook my head, and headed toward the exit. “The answer is still no, but maybe Tripp will be interested.”

Bryce huffed again. “He’s another flirting-only. The two best-looking alphas I know, and you’ve both rejected me.”

I blinked, then shook my head. “Something’s obviously wrong with him then. Cause you’re a catch.”

“The same could be said of you,” Bryce grumbled as I reached the door.

I laughed. “See you this afternoon.”

He let out a dramatic sigh. “See you then.”

I pushed the door open and strode back to my truck. I had a full day ahead, and I couldn’t let myself get distracted flirting with men who weren’t right for me.