Page 49 of The Omega Switch: Part 2

“I’ll keep delivering food if you work late.” He said, and I held back a smile. “And please, don’t work too much if you can help it.”

“Thank you, I’ll take you up on that. And I know better than to overwork now.” I said. I looked at each of them, finally meeting Hunter’s eyes. He was the one who was the hardest to look at. The memory of his bark still hurt when I thought about it.

“I’ll keep you updated on the legal proceedings. We have the best people working on it.” He said, his voice serious.

I felt emotional all of a sudden. This was the pack I’d always dreamed about - a pack that would be there for me, stand by my side, and support me. I just wished they’d been like this from the beginning.

Either way, I finally felt a little more confident about my store and my future. I was no longer fighting my family by myself. I looked around the table - these three people, once the source of my greatest heartbreak, were slowly becoming people that I could trust.

The thought was scary - putting trust into anyone was a risk. But I also felt a renewed energy, a reason to fight. Because now, I wasn’t fighting alone.

Chapter 23

Elias

I couldn’t hide my excitement as I walked toward Ivy’s store. I walked inside, and was greeted by the sound of her beautiful voice singing to herself as I looked toward the office.

I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face. I’d never heard her sing before. The woman I'd met a year ago never made much noise, was visibly meek, and afraid to draw attention to herself. Now she was standing alone in her own office, happily singing to herself and completely in her element. I knocked lightly against the doorframe.

"Good morning," I said. She looked up from the notebook spread across the table, surprise flashing across her face before she gave me a smile that could light up the whole world.

"Elias!"

"God, I love your smile.” The words slipped out before I could stop myself. But it was true - I loved every inch of her, from her dark hair, the way she bit her lip when she was concentrating, to her incredible mind. But most of all, I loved seeing her happy.

She blushed, then laughed under her breath, shaking her head. "You flatter me."

"Not enough."

Her eyes narrowed playfully. "What brings you here?"

"I have a delivery," I said.

She glanced past me just as several movers maneuvered large wooden crates through the boutique. Confusion quickly replaced her smile as she watched them wheel everything toward the back room.

"...What exactly is all of this?" she asked, looking around as the men started setting down boxes.

"They're for you." I stepped aside as another crate rolled past. “It’s a laboratory. A small one, but a start, anyway.”

Her mouth dropped open. "Elias..."

"You don’t have to keep it," I hurried to explain before she could protest. "If you want, I can have it all turned around now. But I thought you might want a place to work on your new ideas without having to stray too far from your store." I said.

"You bought all of this?" she asked, looking around.

"Yes - I said I’d help you with your new ideas. I stand by my word.” I said as the men finished unloading.

"You didn't have to." She answered, her voice in awe.

"I wanted to."

She looked back toward the equipment as the movers carefully unpacked small stainless steel worktables, precision scales, mixers, glassware, pipettes, and some other necessities. It wasn't an extravagant laboratory, but it was everything an independent perfumer could need to begin experimenting again. The men finished up as she watched.

Slowly, she walked among the equipment, running her fingertips across the metal surfaces. "I don't even know what to say," she admitted.

"You could tell me where you'd like everything." I offered.

She looked around, and I could see that mind of hers already placing everything where it should be. "The ventilation hood goes near the window," she said quietly. "The mixer should be over there, and the scale needs to stay away from the sink."