by Vivian Wood
- Luke
Aubrey frowned at the note and looked at the DVD case.
“A League of Their Own,” she read aloud. She shrugged, never having seen it.
When the door bell rang a few seconds later, she nearly jumped out of her skin. Running to the door, she pulled it open, expecting to find Luke on her door step.
“Hiya!” said a young guy holding a couple of takeaway boxes.
“Uh… hi?” Aubrey said.
“Yeah, Aubrey? I got a delivery for you,” he said. “You don’t gotta sign or anything.”
“Let me guess. A big, dark-haired guy ordered it?” she asked.
“I dunno. I just deliver it,” the guy said with a shrug.
“Right. Of course. Let me just get my purse,” she sighed.
“Nah, it’s taken care of,” the guy said, holding out the boxes to her until she accepted them. “Night, ma’am.”
As she closed the door, Aubrey noticed an incredible aroma rising from the boxes. She sat them on the coffee table in the living room, opening them to find a huge, still-hot steak, steaming potatoes, a crisp green salad, and a piece of chocolate cheesecake. Before she could decide how she felt about the whole thing, her stomach gave a loud yowl of yearning, and Aubrey couldn’t help but laugh.
“Alright,” she said to herself. She grabbed silverware, a glass of merlot, and the DVD Luke had sent. She settled herself in, reminding herself that she could reap the benefits of his datemongering without getting sucked in.
“No problem,” she murmured, taking a bite of steak as the movie began.
16
Seven
Thursday
Aubrey sipped her second chai of the day, having given up on real coffee after another night of tossing and turning. Her mind wandered as she flipped through some paperwork, sighing. She needed a lot of numbers to add up this month, and as usual, she had no idea yet how she’d do it. The shelter slept ten families or up to thirty-five people at a time, and most of those arrived without a penny to their name or even enough clothes for a week. Though Sunnyside Women’s Center had a large network of food pantries, clothing donation centers, and other sponsors, there was never enough to go around easily. Making the pieces fit was one of Aubrey’s many jobs, and this month she was coming up a little short.
She needed to focus, obviously. Luke was a huge distraction, and she hadn’t been on her game all week.
“Knock, knock!”
Aubrey looked up and smiled when she found her BFF and longtime coworker Valerie standing in the doorway, giving her an appraising glance.
“Hey, you. What’s up?” Aubrey asked.
“I could ask you the same thing,” Valerie said, cocking her head. “Any news you’d like to share with your best friend?”
“Uhhh… no?” Aubrey said with a shrug.
“All right. Well, you’d better come see this, then,” Valerie said, turning and beckoning. Valerie led her out of the offices and through the dormitories and family rooms, into the back area of the shelter that housed the kitchen and maintenance areas.
Aubrey followed, puzzled. When Valerie led her to the small laundry room, Aubrey sighed.
“Is one of the machines leaking again? I just can’t fix that this week, you know that,” she told Valerie.
“Nah, that’s not why we’re here,” Valerie said. reaching inside and flipping on the flight.
Aubrey’s jaw dropped as she stepped inside. Gone were the three sets of junky, barely-working washers and dryers from the eighties. In their place were six stacked washer-and-dryer units, all gleaming a pristine white.
“Wha…” Aubrey marveled.
“Yeah. These things are so nice and new, they’re even going to reduce our electric bill every month,” Valerie said, giving Aubrey another appraising looks. “Now you got something you want to share?”
“No, I— Valerie, where did these come from?” Aubrey asked, throwing her hands up.
“Your new boyfriend had them delivered just a few minutes ago, and then he split.”
“My new boyfriend,” Aubrey echoed, confused.
“Yeah, that super hot dude that’s been hanging around, asking about you…” Valerie prompted.
“Oh my god,” Aubrey said, pressing a hand to her chest. “He didn’t! How could he know we needed these?”
“He was asking about the shelter the other day, and I might have mentioned that we needed new machines. I was just avoiding giving out your info,” Valerie said with a shrug.
“Oh my god,” Aubrey repeated, turning back to the machines. “These must have cost a fortune!”
“Yeah, looks like your new man is a baller,” Valerie said, her irritation growing.
“He’s not my anything. He’s like, trying to get me to go on a date with him,” Aubrey explained.
“And you’re not doing that because…?” Valerie asked.
“It’s complicated. He might be kind of… stalking me,” Aubrey said.
“O-kay. And you didn’t feel the need to share this with me?” Valerie asked, crossing her arms and pursing her lips. She looked concerned, which made Aubrey feel a little ashamed. Luke might be coming on a little strong, but he would never actually harm her. Aubrey couldn’t let Val think so poorly of the man, even if she didn’t want him hanging around.
“It’s just, it’s nothing. He’s not dangerous or anything. Just,” Aubrey paused and looked around, shaking her head. “He’s just weirdly determined. He’s sent flowers, bought the fancy coffees I’ve been bringing in all week, he’s showed up here trying to talk to me. That kind of thing.”
“You don’t exactly sound like a girl frightened for her life,” Valerie said, her expression softening.
“Luke isn’t like that,” Aubrey said.
“Luke, huh? So why aren’t you going out with Luke, the super hot guy who buys appliances for women’s shelters and does nice things for you? Because…?” Valerie prompted. “Oh, right. It’s complicated.”
Valerie tsked and shook her head.
“Yeah,” Aubrey agreed, her voice sounding weak to her own ears.
“Alright. Well, I’m done for the day and I’m off tomorrow and Saturday. Are we still on for tomorrow night?” Valerie asked.
“Yeah. Yeah, of course,” Aubrey said. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
Valerie gave her one last look before she left Aubrey behind to contemplate the enormous gift Luke had given the shelter. After a moment, Aubrey headed back to the office and picked up her cell phone. Digging Luke’s card out of her purse, she keyed the number into her phone and fired off a text.
Nice try. You can’t buy me, dude. You should just give up.
Aubrey tossed her phone back on her desk with a sigh, shaking her head. This time, though, she wasn’t sure if she was disappointed in Luke or in herself.
17
Eight
Friday
Aubrey sucked up the last few drops of her fruity cocktail through her straw, tilting the glass to admire the way the bar’s neon lights played over the smooth surface. Up on stage, one of their co-workers was singing karaoke, a sad Patsy Cline number. Normally Aubrey loved this song, but right now she was just a little drunk and… well, okay. She was feeling a little lonesome, herself.
“Girl, you have got to snap out of it,” Valerie said, leaning over and squeezing Aubrey’s arm. “A guy you haven’t even bothered to call didn’t pay unsolicited attention to you for one whole day, and you’re seriously bummed out?”
“No, no. I’m fine,” Aubrey assured her friend. “Really. I think I’ve just had a long week, and not enough sleep. Maybe another one of these drinks will do the trick.”
“Grab me one while you’re at the bar, will you?” Valerie asked.
“Course,” Aubrey said, slipping from her chair and heading for the bar.
Once she’d secured the drinks, she turned and wove her way back to the table just as a huge burst of laughter rose from her friends. Elbowing her way back to her empty seat, s
he nearly dropped the drinks on the floor in surprise.
Across from her sat Luke, dressed in dark jeans and a light gray tee that hugged his muscular physique. He grinned at something Valerie was saying, then chuckled as he accepted a high five from Nancy. Shawna leaned close to him, and Aubrey’s brows shot up when she noticed Shawna actually sniffing Luke’s shoulder.
“What the hell?” Aubrey asked, setting the drinks down and crossing her arms.
Everyone looked at her, but she’d already made the grave mistake of catching Luke’s eye. Those stormy sea-green eyes of his seared into her, the yellow rims of his irises visibly flaring when his gaze dropped to her mouth. Aubrey shivered, though she wasn’t the least bit cold.
“Aubrey, this is the guy who bought the shelter a whole new laundromat!” Nancy crowed, giving Luke’s arm a playful pat. “He knows Valerie.”
“Is that so?” Aubrey asked, challenging him.
“Ohh, sure. I mean, we know each other,” Luke teased.
As Aubrey struggled to find the right words to shame him, the latest karaoke song ended and the DJ stood up with his microphone.
“Aaaaallllllll riiiiiiiight, ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Samantha. Wasn’t she great? Alright. Next up, we have Luke! Luke, come on up here and sing for us!” the guy called.
Luke popped up off his bar stool and gave Aubrey a wink before he turned and headed for the stage.
“Uh, hey,” Luke said into the microphone. “I don’t usually do this, but I’d like to dedicate this song to Aubrey Rose. Aubrey, I hope this changes your mind.”
The first few notes began to play, and her whole table of friends cheered enthusiastically, elbowing Aubrey and giving her encouraging looks.
“Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone…” Luke sang, his face turning red as he looked out into the audience. “Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gooooone…”
Aubrey blinked, surprised at how nice his voice was. Luke shifted back and forth in place, looking as uncomfortable as hell, but he did the entire song without looking at the words. When he finished, most of the bar applauded wildly, some women even wolf-whistling and going up to the stage to congratulate him.
Luke headed back to the table, ignoring her suddenly-silent friends when he came around to her seat and stopped right in front of her. Aubrey’s head titled back as she stared up at him, biting her lip because she didn’t know what to say. Luke reached out and took one of her hands in both of his, making a warm rush of electricity spread over her skin, the hair rising on her arms.
“Aubrey,” Luke said, leaning down so that his mouth was only inches from hers. Aubrey squirmed, as acutely aware of his presence as she was that of her nosy, gawping friends who were all watching with undisguised glee.
“Aubrey, will you go on a date with me?” Luke asked, giving her a private smile.
Aubrey licked her lips, letting the moment stretch before she finally nodded.
“Okay,” she said.
A grin lit Luke’s face at that, and he pressed a quick kiss to her wrist that had her friends oohing and ahhing.
“All right,” he said. “I’ll leave you to it, then.”
He winked at her and then left without another word, leaving Aubrey in the middle of a whole group of excited, squawking friends. Despite their excitement, Aubrey’s stomach sank. That deep, sad part of her, stuffed too far down inside to ever see the light of day, was rising. Her secret was still buried, but not nearly so deep as it should be…
18
Nine
“I don’t know, V,” Aubrey sighed, setting aside her now-cool cup of tea. She leaned back into the embrace of one of the overstuffed plush chairs in her apartment’s breakfast nook, giving Valerie a considering look. Across the table, Valerie set her own cup of tea down and tsked.
“Do you have some reason not to trust this guy, Aubrey?” Valerie asked, brow furrowing. “I’ve never seen you so hesitant about going on a simple date.”
Aubrey glanced at Valerie, unsure how to explain. Her best friend was wonderful and empathetic, but also human. No matter how close they were as friends, Aubrey could never tell Valerie about her Berserker heritage, or about the arranged mateships that the Alphas’ Council were enforcing.
“I can’t explain it. I just know that spending time with this guy is a big deal. Like, he’s looking for something super serious,” Aubrey said, shrugging. It wasn’t her real reason, though it was true enough. But even Val didn’t know about the aftermath of Aubrey meeting Luke the first time, and Aubrey intended for it to stay that way.
“And you’re willing to deny yourself that big hunk of man just because you think he’s the marrying type? You must be blind, or crazy. Or maybe both,” Valerie teased, picking up her mug and taking a sip of tea.
Aubrey rolled her eyes, drumming her fingertips on the edge of the table.
“I’m fine just the way I am. I have you, I have the shelter, I have a life. I don’t need more than that. I don’t need a man telling me what to do, or how to live.”
“Girl, what you need is to get laid! And that guy… he’s got hot, steamy sex written all up and down that big, tight body of his. Go on one date, let him buy you dinner, and then take him home for a night. Wham, bam, simple satisfaction,” Valerie advised, giving Aubrey a knowing look. “Or maybe you’re afraid that one night will make you want more, huh?”
Aubrey couldn’t help the blush that rose to her cheeks, but she shook her head.
“No. No way. I agreed to one date, and I keep my promises. So I’ll go, but that will be the end of it.”
The doorbell rang, and Aubrey’s head snapped up.
“Expecting someone?” Valerie asked, following Aubrey as she rose and headed for the front door.
“Nope. I keep my address private, just like you do. Shelter rules.”
Aubrey pulled aside the curtain next to the door, peeping outside.
“What the hell?” she murmured, opening the door. A bike messenger stood there, holding a rectangular black box tied with gold ribbon. The package was huge, three feet long and two feet wide.
“Aubrey Umbridge?” the guy asked, juggling the box as he pulled a handheld tablet from a pouch on his belt. “Can you sign for this, please?”
“Uh… okay,” Aubrey said, scrawling her name on the dotted line.
“Great. Here you go,” he said, thrusting the box into her arms. It was lighter than it looked, at least. At the last second, he turned back. “Oh, yeah. There’s a card.”
After sticking a white note card into Aubrey’s fingers, he hopped on his bike and headed off.
“Special delivery?” asked Valerie, her curiosity evident.
“It seems so,” Aubrey said, heading back inside and kicking the door closed behind them both. She brought the box to the breakfast nook, setting it on the table, and looked at the card.
Dinner. 7pm Tonight. The Tonga Room, 950 Mason St. Wear one of these, if you like.
— L
“Well, what does it say?” Valerie asked, practically ripping the card from Aubrey’s hand. “Ooooh, L! Omigod, open the box!”
Aubrey took a deep breath and turned to the elegant black box, carefully untying the ribbon and pulling off the lid. Cream-colored tissue paper beckoned, parting under Aubrey’s fingers to reveal two stunning dresses. Both were floor-length gowns, both beyond lovely. One was black, with a sweetheart neckline and delicate bronze flowers stitched from the waist down. The other was a pale pink, with a low neckline, gold seed pearls stitched at the neckline and waist, and—
“Look at the side slit in that dress!” Valerie squealed, beside herself with glee. “Ohmigod, ohmigod! Aubrey!”
Valerie launched herself on Aubrey, enfolding her in an enthusiastic hug that almost made Aubrey drop the box on the floor.
“Oops,” Valerie said, pulling back. “Sorry, I’m just excited. And jealous, so so jealous.”
Aubrey flipped up the hem of the first dress, turning it inside out to find the tag. He
r exact size was printed there, plain as day.
“I—” she started, then paused. “Well, shit.”
Aubrey sank into her chair, dropping her face into her hands. Try as she might, she couldn’t stop the tears that burned in her eyes. Her bear rose instantly, ready to charge but uncertain of the target.
“Aub?” Valerie asked, instantly at her side. “What’s wrong, hon?”
Aubrey shook her head, guts churning.
“He knows my dress size,” she mumbled, wiping at her eyes.
“Yeah, I guess,” Valerie said.
“That’s so private!”
“Oh, honey. I don’t think he cares about some stupid number. He’s the one pursuing you, remember?”
“Yeah, because he has to!” Aubrey protested.
“What do you mean?” Valerie asked, crouching down and looking up at Aubrey.
“I can’t— I can’t really explain it,” Aubrey hiccuped. “Luke is part of the same culture as my parents, and we’re both being pressured to settle down with someone from our kind.”
“Your kind? What, Anglo-Saxon?” Valerie scoffed.
“Norse, actually.”
“What?” Valerie gave her a strange look.
“Scandinavian,” Aubrey corrected herself. “Look, it doesn’t matter. I met Luke once, years ago, and he wasn’t interested in pursuing anything serious then. Now he’s probably dead serious, but not for the right reasons.”
“Aubrey,” Valerie said, reaching out and taking her tear-dampened hand. “You’re going on one date with this guy, not signing your marriage license. Pressure, no pressure, whatever. He picked a really nice restaurant, he got you two beautiful dresses, and all you have to do is just go and have dinner. It’s so easy, girl.”
“I don’t know, Val…” Aubrey said, feeling silly.
“I’ll make you a deal. If you need to bail, you text me and I’ll come get you. I do think that you should go. You haven’t been on a real date since—”
