Page 148 of Omega's Heart

“This evening.” It gave me enough time to paint the kitchen table and chairs, and get the cover made up for the couch. I very much approved of not having to find my own way to get everything over there and into the apartment

“I imagine they can get by for a couple of days, but sooner would be better. I’ll give Housing a call as soon as we’re done.”

“That’s pretty much it. You’ll have to stop by Supplies to get them sheets and towels and such.”

“On the schedule.” I called Hunter back from investigating interesting smells behind a mattress leaning up against the wall. “When will the furniture be delivered?”

Andrei glanced at Hunter as the pup wandered past us to sniff something else new and interesting, but after an hour roaming the warehouse with us, he seemed to have lost his uncertainty. “You mentioned you wanted to get some paint?”

“Just for the chairs and to make the bedroom furniture match.”

He nodded. “The guys should be here soon. I can get the first load over there before lunch if you want, but probably not much earlier.”

“Lunch is fine. I have to go pick out paint and get some cloth.”

“Give me your phone number and I’ll text you when they leave.”

“Thanks. Much appreciated.”

“No problem. And I’m sorry. I hear you had to give up your apartment to make room for them.”

“It wasn’t an issue. We’re going to take one of the New Enclosure places when they’re built.” It was a little disappointing to not be near Ori and Raleigh, but our house would be the first one built. Holland had made a face at the time and apologized for the change, so I tried not to mind. I knew the enclave was still short of space, even though it wasn’t as bad as it had been. We needed Harris to come back and open the possibility for more humans to think about working in the enclave too.

“I heard those are going to be nice,” Andrei replied, impressed.

“Well, we get to have some input on them, which I appreciate.” I called Hunter back to me again for what felt like the hundredth time. He trotted back, grinning, with a huge dust bunny hanging from his ear. “Dirty pup. You’re going into the tub tonight for sure,” I said automatically, then winced—I didn’t even know if he’d be around for me to give a bath to tonight. “I should get him out of here before he finds every bit of dirt in the place and covers himself with it.”

Andrei gave me an odd look but didn’t comment. I held back a sigh and mentally checked Andrei off as one of those shifters who thought I was weird. That we were weird for taking in the dog. Well, screw him. “I’ll let you get back to work. Thanks for letting me dig around in your warehouse.”

He waved that off. “Anyone who wants to fix up furniture is fine by me. Good luck with it.”

I waved politely and then Hunter and I left to go to Supplies while we waited for the furniture to come.

I was tired by the end of the afternoon, but the little apartment was almost ready for Saffron and her grandmother. The paint was still tacky on the furniture and I’d left it out on the grass in front of the apartment in the hopes that it would dry faster. It really needed another coat, but I could come down and do that tomorrow if Saffron didn’t want to do it herself. Really, I should have finished this all yesterday, but I’d been trying hard not to think about it, and it either never occurred to Kaden or he didn’t want to poke that sore spot on me.

The couch didn’t look too bad. I’d found a pretty floral print in a sturdy fabric, blue and pink and green flowers against a white background. I thought it would wash easily and it was stiff enough that the ruffle I sewed around the bottom of it kept its shape beautifully. There was even enough fabric left over to recover the seat cushion for the rocking chair that Hunter had found buried in the back corner of the warehouse.

My phone buzzed. You need anything?

Just you.

Be home soon. I’ll take you out to eat.

You don’t need to.

I want to. Pick you up at home or at the other place?

Sweet, sweet alpha. He wouldn’t even give it a name, in case it hurt me.

I’m still cleaning up at Saffron’s, I sent back, to let him know that I was okay talking openly about it. Should be done about when you get back.

You need some help?

Maybe pick us up some flowers?

Sure.

I’d just put my phone away when there was a knock on the door. Hunter sat up and barked and, for once, I didn’t scold him, because my heart was up in my throat and I couldn’t speak past it. Were Saffron and her grandmother here already? They were early if they were. I glanced around the kitchen and sighed at the boxes of things that still needed to be put away. Well, it was their own fault the place was a disaster if they were going to show up earlier than they were supposed to, so I just made a face and went to answer the door.