Page 85 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus

Melody still stands off to the side. I disentangle myself from Tom and head in her direction.

"Hi," I say, offering her a hand to shake. "I'm Everly."

"Melody," she mutters. "I'm so sorry. I didn't even want to come. I thought…" She shakes her head. Her cheeks are pink, and she looks defeated. "I thought Ben was finally ready to buckle down and stop playing games. I had no idea he was planning to…"

My heart sinks. Luke's brother is a real piece of work.

"How about you and I grab some hot chocolate while we let them catch up?" I offer. The words are out before I can hold them back. I freeze.Did I majorly overstep?Becauseit feels like maybe I did.

My eyes fly to Luke's, and I mouth, "I'm sorry."

"Hey, Mel," Luke says, pulling me into his chest. He scent marks my cheek and then the other side. "Thanks, sweetheart," he murmurs, pulling my mouth to his. "Don't get too sugared up. Let me get rid of them, and we'll get back to marking things off your list." His hand lands on my lower stomach, and he beams.

"Okay," I agree breathlessly.

Luke smirks, smacks my ass, and swaggers off toward the conference room. There is something about a guy in unlaced boots and tight jeans that's incredibly freaking hot.

"Don't think just because of the extenuating circumstances that I won't be keeping track of your sugar intake," Tom says. "It's probably gonna get worse before it gets better."

I snort a laugh and lead Melody off to the café.

The last thing I expected to do on Christmas Eve was listen to Luke's ex sob into her hot chocolate about what a douche canoe his brother, Ben, is.

Murphy frowns, shaking his head. I look at him for guidance but he shrugs, glancing away quickly.

I pat Melody's shoulder and hand her a wad of napkins. Okay, so, after listening to her story I actually feel alittlebad for her. She's older than I am, and still unbonded all because she fell in love with an asshole who plays games.

My sister's pack may have left me for her, but they actually wanted her… They bonded her and treat her extremely well. Melody made some poor choices when she was sixteen, but she's spent the last ten years basically in limbo.

"Listen," I say, patting her shoulder. "I know it's not my business, not at all. But at some point I think you have to cut your losses. Ben doesn't seem like he's in a place to change, and I only met him for five minutes."

"No, I know," she whimpers, wiping at her eyes. "I need to apologize to Luke. And honestly, I'm sorry to you, too. I shouldn't be here."

"You don't need to apologize to me," I clarify. "But I do think it would mean a lot if you spoke to Luke and put the past to rest."

Tom growls. My eyes fly to his, and he shrugs. "As long as she keeps her distance. Don't expect him to baby you or wipe your tears. You fucked him over,hard."

Melody's hands fly to her face, and she cries harder. I shoot Tom a look that screams "what the hell?"

"What?" Tom asks, scratching at his jaw as he frowns. "Are we pretending that never happened?"

I try to stifle the laugh, and fail miserably. It comes out as a terrible sound between a cough and a snort. He's freaking adorable, and totally clueless about social niceties.

It's one of my favorite things about him.

Cassie marches into the cafeteria with Colin on her hip. She spots me and comes over.

"Do you mind?" she asks, glancing behind her. "I've picked up a stalker, and I may need to lay his ass out."

"Hey, Colin," I say, scooping my nephew out of her arms.

Ben swaggers into the cafeteria. He spots Cassie and makes a bee-line for us. I hug Colin, and he squeals.

"Weevie," he says, smacking a kiss on my cheek. He's still working on how to pronounce my name properly. He's precious. He gives me another slobbery kiss. "Missed you."

"Listen, asshole." Cassie heads for the line, jabbing a finger at Ben. "I'm bonded and pregnant. I didn't fuck around with himbos before I was married, and I certainly don't have time for your shit now."

Ben smirks, following Cassie unrepentantly. "I'm a changed man. You'll see; I can besogood for you."