Page 52 of Shattered Trinket
“Who says I want anythin’?”
She rolls her eyes, wiping her hands on the towel she hit me with before placing her hands on the counter and narrowing her eyes at me.
“I know you better than you think, young man. Now, why don’t you just spit it out? Because I’ve got a lot to do and no time for your shenanigans.”
I chuckle softly, shaking my head in amusement. I swear, you can’t get anything past her. She sees everything.
“Alright. Will ye help me wi’ something? I wanna ask Cozy tae go on a …” I pause, clearing my throat and rubbing the back of my neck as I feel the tips of my ears heating. “A picnic wi’ me,” I finally say a bit shyly, feeling absurd, but also feeling like this is the right move.
Mama V laughs softly and when I look at her, she’s grinning from ear to ear, eyes sparkling with tears. She claps her hands together, quickly wiping them away before moving all around the kitchen.
“Go to the closet in the hallway and grab the picnic basket out of there. I’ll start putting some things together, like some of her favorite snacks. Oh! Don’t forget to grab a spare blanket from the closet as well. There should be some thin ones that are soft.”
The sound of her quick footsteps fills the kitchen as she energetically stacks things together, making my eyes widen a fraction with surprise. When she realizes I’m still just standing there, she lets out an exasperated sigh and forcefully ushers me out, muttering about how difficult we all are to handle. As I stumble out, the door behind me swishes shut, and I can’t help but chuckle quietly to myself as I walk towards the hall.
Finding the closet, I grab the basket and a couple of blankets, tucking them securely under my arm before heading back to the kitchen. When I enter, I hand the basket to Mama V as she goes to pass me, watching as she handpicks items to pack. Hoping to remember Cozy’s preferences, I make mental notes of the things she adds.
With the basket brimming with a colorful assortment of freshly cut fruits, sliced cheeses, crackers, cookies, and fingersandwiches, she meticulously arranges the blankets I grabbed, placing them on top of our lunch before closing it and sliding it towards me. It’s clear that we won’t be able to eat all of this, but I’m glad there are plenty of choices available for Cozy to pick from.
“She’ll love this.”
“I hope so,” I murmur, feeling my heartbeat pick up in my chest.
I plant a quick kiss on her cheek, feeling the stubble of my beard brushing against her smooth skin, and flash her a grin before grabbing the basket and the bag with Cozy’s presents and heading for the back door to find my omega.
Down by the water, I find Cozy and Ripley, their laughter filling the air as they playfully dip their toes in. Cozy’s red curls cascade down her back, catching the sunlight and creating a fiery glow. Her slender figure is delicately wrapped in a pretty green sundress, the fabric falling gracefully just below her knees. The cream cardigan draped across her shoulders shields her fair skin from the sun—and my eyes—but gods, she’s still beyond enchanting. I find myself unable to do anything but stand there—completely mesmerized—and gaze in awe.
Rip’s eyes lock onto me before I can say anything, a mischievous smirk forming on her lips as she spots the weighty basket in my grasp.
“Zeke, what brings you all the way down here?” she teases, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
I clear my throat and smile awkwardly when Cozy turns to see who Ripley is talking to. Her eyes light up when she sees me, her cheeks taking on a pink tinge. I walk closer, that invisible ropepulling me to her until I’m at the water’s edge directly in front of her.
“I, uh, wis wonderin’ if ye’d like tae have a picnic wi’ me?”
Her clear blue eyes on mine ensnare me, causing my heart to race uncontrollably. She’s the most breathtaking sight I’ve ever laid eyes on, and I can’t help but feel undeserving of her presence and completely inadequate.
She glances over at Ripley, who smiles encouragingly at her. When she turns back to me, her beaming smile lights up her face, and her eyes shimmer with joy as she gazes up at me.
“I’d love to,” she murmurs, biting her lip and tucking her hair behind her right ear.
The corners of my mouth turn up into a smile that I can’t suppress, and my heart skips a beat in response. In an instant, a wave of elation washes over me, electrifying every nerve in my body.
“Aww. Young love. So stinkin’ cute!”
Ripley sighs dreamily, and when I glance at her, she’s batting her lashes at us. Cozy’s cheeks burn the brightest shade of pink, and I have to bite back the groan that tries to crawl its way out at the sight.
Fucking phenomenal.
“Well, I’ll just get out of your way. Have fun, you two!”
Ripley winks at me and smacks me on the arse when she passes me. I turn to glare at her, which only makes her laugh as she takes off back up to the house. I huff out an exasperated sigh and roll my eyes, then turn back to the woman of my dreams to give her a lopsided smile.
“Little sisters are the worst,” I joke, and she laughs softly.
“I wouldn’t know,” she shrugs with a light laugh as I hold the crook of my arm out for her to take.
The instant her tiny hand touches my skin, a surge of tingles shoots through my arm, causing a shiver to ripple down myback. With her so close to me, her mouthwatering lemon tart scent tickles my nose, and I can’t help but inhale discreetly. It’s quickly becoming my favorite.