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eighteen

HENRY

I ’ve been dragging my feet on texting Josie about a date.

At first it was nerves, but then I realized I’m being a chickenshit.

Sure, we’ve texted back and forth, and she came over for the friend dinner, but that’s not a date.

Plus, knowing that Vic and Jesse both have a Match with Josie makes me nervous.

What if she doesn’t have one with me? What if she doesn’t want one?

I’ll never know until we talk about it, which means I need to put on my big boy pants and just text her.

Me

Hey Josie! Are you free today, by chance? I know it’s last minute.

Josie

Hello, handsome! I have a session today in an hour, but after that I’m free. What’s going on?

Me

I’d like to take you on that confidence seminar we’ve discussed. I think a good place to start would be Nature Art if you’re interested.

Josie

Oh, I haven’t been there in AGES. Sure, that sounds great!

Me

Awesome, text me when you’re home, and I can come get you?

Josie

Perfect. I’ll talk to you soon 3

My fist pumps into the air, victory sweet in my brain.

I can’t wait to take her out to look at art in the woods.

It sounds cheesy, but some of the permanent installations are breathtaking, no matter how many times you see them.

The seasonal displays are always intriguing, too, and I can just imagine wandering around with Josie, hand in hand, as we talk about the art.

Or life. Or whatever makes her smile. If she wanted to spend two hours talking about snails and slugs, I’d happily listen.

I make sure to put on casual clothes, but then realize I don’t have anything to do until she texts.

Maybe I’ll check in on Ray. She seems to be improving with Josie’s sessions, and I should probably let her know I want to date Josie.

The last thing I want is awkward tension between them.

Ray is actually out of her room today, sitting in the den with some blankets and textbooks in front of her.

“Hey you,” I say gently, knocking on the doorframe.

Ray looks up at me with a small smile before going back to her books. “What’s up?”

“I wanted to ask you about something. Do you have a minute?” I ask.

“Yes, just let me finish this page,” she says distractedly, grabbing a highlighter.

She finishes whatever passage she’s reading and sits back, resting against the back of the couch as she looks at me. I clear my throat.

“Do you like working with Josie?” I ask first.

Ray’s face lights up, “Yeah, she’s great! Our scents aren’t great together, but we’re totally used to it now, and I don’t mind it. I’m glad you found her.”

“I, um, how would you feel about me dating her?” I ask, stumbling a bit over the words.

Ray grins, “I think that would be an excellent idea. Especially since you’re Matches.”

“Uh, we don’t know that. Why are you saying that?”

“Puh-lease, the way you reacted to each other’s scents? You have to be Matches,” she informs me with all the teenage attitude she can muster.

“You’re such a brat,” I grin at her.

Ray just grins back and turns back to her studies. I hope I’ve encouraged her enough, but I decide to give her one more thought before I go.

“Ray?” I get her attention.

As usual, she just looks at me, waiting for me to talk.

“I’m glad you’re here, and I’m glad Josie is helping. I can see the change.”

Her eyes tear up, but she holds them in as she gives me a wobbly smile before nodding and going back to her books.

Emotions are not her strong suit. Noting that there’s still time to kill, I head to the living room with a smile, watching a show about finding cake.

When Josie texts to say she’s ready for me, I jump up like I’ve been burned and speedwalk to my wallet and keys.

“Have fun!” I hear Ray yell from the den.

“Don’t get into too much trouble!” I yell back, then leave the house.

By the time I pull up to Josie’s condo, my stomach is in knots.

We haven’t really spent any time with just us two, and I hope I don’t push her away.

Sometimes my foot gets in my mouth, and it’s hard to pull it out again.

I glance around as I walk to her door and notice Jesse in his condo.

He glances out his window and gives me a small hand wave before walking to a different room.

Josie’s opened the door before I can knock, and the air gets knocked out of my lungs.

Even dressed for a casual date of walking around in some woods, she’s breathtaking.

Her hair is bound up in a messy bun, some tendrils falling around her face, her jeans fit like someone molded them to her body, and her oversized t-shirt makes me smile.

It’s black and a bit worn, featuring a side knot and a graphic of Rick Astley.

“You look amazing,” I tell her with a smile.

“Flattery will get you everywhere,” she winks, “You don’t look too bad yourself!”

I’m wearing a long-sleeved flannel with the sleeves rolled up, so I hold out my arm for her to take. There’s enough fabric left on my forearm that she can avoid my skin if she wants to. Josie grabs my bicep instead and nods at me. Grinning, I walk her to the car and we get settled in.

“When was the last time you went to Nature Art?” I ask.

“Gosh, I want to say four or five years? It was right before or after I started Touch Helpers. I just remember being so overwhelmed with everything to do with a start-up that I needed some Zen. Nature Art was exactly what I needed at the time.”

“That’s amazing; I can’t remember if I’ve told you, but I think it’s badass that you saw a problem and created a company to help fix it.”

She blushes a little, “Thanks, it’s been a lot of work and I couldn’t have done it without Georgie and James. They’ve been a rock for me since I hired them, and we’re almost at the point where I’ll need to hire a third Beta for Touch Helpers!”

We talk a bit more about her business, the challenges she’s faced, and what her strategy has been.

It brings so much joy to her face that mine is smiling consistently.

I share some of my business experience with her, and we throw ideas back and forth.

Most of my family are investors or silent partners, but I’ve always enjoyed the idea of being more hands-on in business.

So, I worked my way into a CEO position.

We arrive, and I grab two water bottles from the backseat to bring along.

I want to make sure Josie stays hydrated while we wander around.

Grabbing my wallet, I pay our fee and we walk into the park, side by side.

I hold out her water bottle, and she grabs it well away from my hand before smiling at me.

“Glad you thought to bring these!” she says.

I shrug, “I like providing for you.”

Josie’s face flushes red, and she gives me a shy smile.

I wish she was used to people providing for her, and I promise myself now that if she accepts me, I’ll spoil her rotten.

I point out some ridiculous sculptures and we joke about what we see in them, but we also have thoughtful conversation about some of the pieces that do move us.

She has an interesting view of the world that I probably never would have considered as an Alpha.

Being around her and listening to her makes me feel like I’m a better person just for knowing her.

“So, how are Jesse and Vic?” I ask her, knowing she has a Match with both of them.

“Uh, good, Jesse pops by every now and again, and I actually got to go see Vic’s rental. It’s a cute house, a little small for a Pack bigger than three, but it’s perfect for him and Simon right now,” she responds.

“Oh, I’m glad you got to go check out their place! Did you get a chance to see Simon too? Us guys actually went out and did an escape room, and it was pretty fun.”

Josie smiles, “Oh yeah, I heard all about it from Vic. He enjoyed it too.”

Her neglect to mention Simon doesn’t escape my notice.

“Simon’s goofy side took me by surprise,” I confess, “I hope I get to see more of it. He’s really fun.”

“Yeah, he is,” Josie says softly.

I sense she’s still avoiding the topic of Simon. When we stop moving next, I take the chance to turn and face Josie directly.

“Are you okay with Simon? Did something happen? You don’t seem to want to talk about him, but I want to make sure he didn’t hurt you somehow,” I tell her.

Josie turns to me, surprised, but it evens out into a smile. “No, nothing like that. You’re sweet for caring. I… Well, we were… Um… I accidentally touched his face.”

Her speech slows by the end of her sentence, and she looks unsure of herself. Not on my watch.

“Did he accidentally electrocute you with his face? You know, like static electricity?”

Josie lets out a full laugh, “No, no, not that. We’re… well, we’re a Match.”

Another piece fits into place as I imagine our future together. I knew about Vic and Jesse, obviously, but I suspected Simon was part of it too. Assuming Ray is right, I’ll Match with Josie as well.

“Is that bad?” I ask.

She wanders to a bench and sits. I take the seat next to her and twist my body so I can see her better.

“No,” she sighs, “It’s not bad, but I had a panic attack over touching him without consent.

It’s my number one rule, and I broke it while we were all goofing around.

I’m glad he’s a Match because hopefully it won’t cause a rift between him and Vic, but he also said he’s not sure he wants a Pack.

I know I want one eventually, so I just feel unsettled. Like I don’t know where I stand.”

“That would be hard, I agree,” I tell her, “Sometimes the best thing to do is focus on the moment instead of worrying about the future. I get caught up in the future too much at work, so I make a point to appreciate those smaller wins, the things that are happening in the moment.”

“I can see that. It’s knowing where you want to go, but stopping to smell the flowers on your way,” she says.

“Pretty much,” I agree with her.

Josie looks over at me, “Look at you, Mr. Wiseman.”

“Sometimes. Sometimes I say things that make no sense and make everything more awkward,” I confess with a grin.

Shoring up my nerve, I ask the question that’s been burning on my mind for weeks.

I want that confirmation of a Match, but I know Josie is huge on consent, and I won’t touch her without it.

It’s hard not to imagine how soft her skin will be when I finally do touch it, and my dick stirs with the thought.

“Josie, may I touch you? I want to know if we’re a Match,” I spit out quickly.

One eyebrow raises on her pretty face, “You say that like you’re worried about the outcome. You don’t have to touch me, we can just date. If you’re worried about a Match, we don’t have to go on another date.”

“Fuck, no, shit! I want to be a Match. You’re amazing, and I want that connection with you.”

“So, you want me because you think we’re a Match?” she asks, face full of confusion.

“Goddammit, I’m fucking this up. Hang on a second.

” I take a deep breath and rephrase my awkwardness, “Josie, you are wonderful, and I would be overjoyed to just spend time with you. You’re funny, smart, and so, so kind.

I also want to be your Match. I want to know that we’re meant to be together, like I hope we are.

Knowing we’re a Match would be the most amazing connection ever.

If we’re not, though, I have no intention of letting you go. ”

Josie searches my face for a moment, taking in my words, before she gives me a slow smile.

“Okay, if you really mean that, then I guess let’s find out. If you run away, I’ll just have Vic, Simon, and Jesse chase you down.” She winks at me.

Chuckling, I raise my hand slowly, wanting to cup her face with it.

She leans toward my hand, and the moment we connect, she closes her eyes with peace.

My body lights up like a firecracker, the Match firing through my synapses, changing my world in the blink of an eye.

My nerve endings feel electric, and I swear I almost come in my pants.

Finally re-focusing enough to look at her again, Josie is happily leaning into my touch, and I feel contentment like I’ve never known.

I meant what I said, I would have been sad without the Match, but I would have courted her anyway.

Now, though? She’s mine just like I’m hers.

She can’t feel the Match, but she trusts me to feel it for both of us.

It’s a heady feeling on top of my world shifting to center around her.

I can’t find words yet, so I lean in and lightly kiss her.

She responds beautifully, and it’s everything.