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JOSIE

I can’t stop thinking about my guys. It feels weird to call them that, but it’s alright, right?

They’re all a Match, they’ve all expressed that they want me, so I’m claiming them.

Verbally, at least. I hope they’ll all want in during my next heat.

I want to bond with them all, which means they have about two months to get their shit together.

Me too, if I’m being honest with myself.

So, I declared a date night with my Matches.

My Omega pushed for me to call it a Pack Date when the idea struck, but despite that instinct, I know that we’re not really a Pack.

Not yet. Simon expressed concern that he might never want a Pack.

I hope that tonight changes their minds.

I did some searching and found a business that takes cute ideas for first dates and creates them for you.

There are tons to choose from, but I decided to do the classic “Dating Game”.

I pre-wrote some questions for the guys, but we also have a chance to write our own.

The guys will answer the questions, and I have to pick which answers go to which guy.

They have a voice modulator as well, so I can’t go based on their voices.

After, I’m hoping we can go out for some dessert and just spend time together.

Hopefully they’re all up for it. Jesse offered to drive me since we’re literally neighbors, and I took him up on the offer.

Never hurts to save fuel and the environment.

Since we’re doing something a little more old-school, I decided to play up my love for the 80s tonight.

I’ve got teased hair in a high side pony, jeans with a jean jacket, a neon pink tank top, and some Chucks to complete the outfit.

Once I’m dressed, I grab my purse and bounce over to Jesse’s door.

He offered to come get me, but I’m ready a few minutes early, so I decide to surprise him.

I raise my hand to knock on his door just as he opens it to leave.

Thankfully, my hand stops, but he’s already seen my hand, so now we’re standing awkwardly with my hand fisted and reaching out toward him. I unfurl my fingers into a flat palm.

“High five?” I ask.

He laughs and accepts the five, and my own laughter starts in response, and he gives me a hug before turning to lock his door.

“Didn’t expect to see you here,” he teases.

“I got done early, so I figured I’d save you the hassle of traveling to my door.”

Jesse wipes at his forehead, pretending to be relieved. “Phew! I was worried about the long trek, you know.”

I giggle as he opens my door for me before jogging around to his side and climbing into the driver’s seat.

He drives a well-kept mid-size car. Probably a CR-V or something, I’m terrible with car brands and models.

I do appreciate a well-kept car, though, and Jesse’s is really nice.

It’s not immaculate, but it’s not a sty either.

If it was immaculate, I’d be nervous to touch anything.

“So are you gonna tell us what we’re doing tonight?” he asks as we ease into traffic.

“Nope! It’s a surprise. I didn’t want you guys to form opinions before we start.”

Jesse looks over at me quickly, giving me a side eye, “You’re a sneaky one, aren’t you?”

“When I need to be,” I say, flicking imaginary dirt off my shoulder.

He chuckles, and after a few more minutes of small talk and traffic, we arrive.

The location wasn’t a surprise to anyone.

It’s a fairly popular spot for dates, but they don’t know which package I selected.

I’m almost dancing on my toes, I’m so excited for this.

All I can imagine is fun, and hopefully some silly answers.

I hop out of the car, Jesse not far behind, and we wait by the doors for the rest of the guys.

I don’t see their cars here yet, but they quickly appear as we wait.

Simon and Vic rode together, with Henry separate.

“You’re here!” I squeal as the three of them converse on us.

“Whoa, Josie Girl, feeling the 80s today, I see,” Vic teases, landing a kiss on my temple.

All I can do is grin at him. The combination of the four of them being here, plus all of them being Matches, has gotten me so excited that I think I’m beyond words.

“Looking forward to this?” Henry asks as we walk in the door.

“Uh, duh!” I say to him, putting as much sass as I can into it.

Henry growls playfully and snatches me from behind. I squeal in surprise, and when he bends down, I wait for his kiss to land on my neck. However, a raspberry is what I get instead. My skin tickles like crazy, and I can’t stop the high-pitched giggles that escape me.

“Stop! Stop! Uncle!” I say, laughing and enjoying myself.

Henry stops and gives me a real kiss on the neck before pulling back. A Beta receptionist is smiling fondly at our antics and greets us when we get around to moving beyond the entryway.

“Welcome to Date and Busters! Where we serve up dating fun for everyone! Do you have a reservation?” she says chipperly.

“Do you hate having to say that every time?” Simon asks from behind me.

“Yeah, I really do,” she says, a little less chipper now, sounding like a normal person.

“Reservation for Josie?” I say with a smile.

She types something into the computer and grins, “Oh, I love this one! Okay, let me take you to your space, and your date guide will get you going.”

We walk behind her, Simon whispering things to Vic to make him laugh as we go. I bite my lip, enjoying the sounds of their camaraderie behind me. The receptionist stops in front of a door with large letters above it stating “The Dating Game”. She opens the door to usher us in.

“Have a great time!” she says kindly before closing the door.

A Beta male is adjusting a few things as we walk in, and he turns to look at us.

“Welcome! I’m Jim, I’ll be your host tonight!” he says with a warm smile.

My mouth opens before my brain registers words: “Is that actually your name?”

I’m horrified for a moment before he laughs.

“No, it’s not, but it’s kind of fun to use the original host’s name so we go with it,” he says.

“Alright, then, Jim, tell us what to do,” Vic says.

“Jim” situates us so that the four guys are to my left, and there’s a panel between us that I cannot see through.

All our stools are high-backed and surprisingly comfortable.

Once seated, he steps back so we can all see him.

He explains the rules, that I’ve given them three questions and I have to guess which answer belongs to which guy.

Their voices will be disguised, so I can’t tell based on that.

Then, if they want, they’ll all have a chance to have me answer those same three questions.

“Alright, question number one: What animal, if you could pick any, would you be? The cheesier your answers, the more fun the game is. Let’s start with bachelor number one!”

“Well, seeing as how I’m so full of pride , I would clearly be a lion. Ready to protect you at any cost.” One says.

The voice modulator makes them sound like chipmunks, and I almost fall off the stool laughing.

When the guys laugh, it just adds more chipmunk sounds to the situation, and I’m now laughing so hard there are tears streaking down my face.

“Jim” comes over with some tissues, and I mop the tears and take some deep breaths to compose myself.

“Oh my god, I didn’t know it would be chipmunk voices, sorry, phew,” I say, taking one last big breath at the end.

“Bachelor number two?” Jim prompts.

“I’m always watching over you, baby, so I’d be an eagle, ready to keep an eye on you.” Two responds.

I fan myself, pretending to be overcome by the answers. The guys have a small feed of me that they can watch, even though I can’t see them.

Three doesn’t wait, “Having you touch me is the best feeling in the world, so I’d be a chinchilla, ready for you to caress me all the time.”

“What you really need, bachelorette, is someone to hold you , so I’d be a monkey, holding on to you all day long.” Four wraps up.

I can’t stop the giggles that burst from me, “You guys are so cheesy and I love it so much!”

Jim moves on to the next question. “Question two: Is a narwhal a unicorn? Why or why not?”

The chipmunk laughter comes through the speakers again, and I try so hard not to crack up at the sound. It doesn’t work great, but at least I can pay attention through the laughter this time.

Bachelor one, “No way, Unicorns are considered to be non-existent, but we already know Josie is a true unicorn, so narwhals cannot be unicorns.”

Bachelor two, “Narwhals are definitely unicorns, the unicorns saw Josie and knew they couldn’t compete, so they submerged into the sea.”

Bachelor three, “Narwhals can’t be unicorns, there’s no such thing. Now, an Alicorn, those are definitely real.”

Bachelor four, “Narwhals are definitely unicorns, they bring joy and magic to the sea, there’s no other explanation.”

Jim watches me laughing, waiting for his cue to continue. He clears his throat and asks the final question.

“What is your favorite thing about Josie?”

Bachelor one, “Her laugh, it brings me joy any time I hear it.”

Bachelor two, “Her mind, she’s so smart and so caring, it blows me away.”

Bachelor three, “How mischievous she is while looking so innocent.”

Bachelor four, “How good of a snuggler she is. I don’t know many people who can snuggle at a Josie level.”

My cheeks turn red, “Aw, guys… thanks. I had expected silly answers, but that’s so sweet.”

Jim is smiling as he looks at the guys. “What question do you four want Josie to answer?”

There’s high-pitched murmuring coming from the speakers, and more laughter spills out of me at the sound. I’m not sure I’ll ever not find the noise funny. One of the bachelors answers Jim after a moment of whispers.

“We want to know what Josie’s favorite thing about each of us is.”

Jim turns his attention to me. “Josie?”

“Can I guess who they are while I answer?” I ask.

“Absolutely, I’ll write down your guesses as you go, and we’ll do the grand reveal after,” Jim says.

I squirm a little in my chair to get comfortable before I start talking.

“Bachelor one, Henry, my favorite thing about you is your confidence in us. Even before we Matched, you liked me enough to buy me a gift. It made me so happy. Bachelor two, Jesse, my favorite thing about you is how clever you are. You like to hide it, but I can see it, and it’s amazing.

Bachelor three, Simon, your humor and zest for life bring out my own, and it’s so much fun to be near you.

I would definitely pet you if you ask. Bachelor four, my Vic, thanks for being my monkey for years and holding on to me.

That’s my favorite thing about you.” I clear my throat, surprised by how deep that went. Didn’t expect to get emotional.

“Are you ready for the reveal?” Jim asks.

“Yes!” I shout, both hands in the air.

“Bachelor one, was Josie right?”

A moment later, Henry walks around the partition, grinning like crazy. I squeal in delight and fling my arms open, allowing him to swoop in for a huge hug.

“Bachelor two, who are you?” Jim asks.

Jesse walks around the partition, a shy smile on his face, and he ducks his head when he gets close. I grab his arm and pull him to me, making him look into my eyes before giving him a soft kiss.

“Bachelor three, is Josie going to be correct on all counts?”

A moment later, Simon rounds the partition, and Vic isn’t too far behind. My hands fly into the air again.

“Yes! I knew it!” I hop down and skip the few steps to the two of them, and throw my arms around them.

We spend a moment laughing with each other over answers and the chipmunk voices before turning to Jim. He’s smiling wide, clearly enjoying the sight of happy customers.

“Thank you all so much for coming, you were a joy to work with,” he says, reaching out to shake my hand first. Jesse steps in front of me, grabbing Jim’s hand instead.

Internally, I roll my eyes as all the guys follow suit, nobody wanting me to touch this guy.

I also internally melt at their protectiveness.

My Omega instincts scream that these are good mates, and I intend to keep them.

Jim has gotten the subtle message not to touch me, and he just nods in my direction.

Pleasantries exchanged, he leads us to the main lobby and we see ourselves out.

“Did you guys have fun?” I ask nervously.

“I don’t know about these guys, but I had a blast,” Simon assures me.

The guys all agree, and I dance in place, filled with excitement and pleased that I did well on picking a date.