Blizzards and Brews (Holiday Hollow Omegaverse)

Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

Lindsay

T his was it. I was going to make Ollie mine.

Okay, so I had already bitten him, yes. He was mine. But the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to do more .

Ollie had loved me and waited for me to be ready for years. His letter had absolutely gutted me and made me feel loved all at the same time.

I wanted to make him feel special. Feel loved.

He’d been pretty adamant that he didn’t want to be courted, that he had just wanted to be together, but I had also seen the way he admired his new watch this morning at breakfast. His nose was pressed to it or his eyes were looking at it fondly every chance he got.

Adam and I were going on our second date tonight, while Ollie and Dustin covered the bar. I needed to start getting ready soon, but first I wanted to make sure to talk to Ollie.

I went searching for him, only to find him in his nest cuddled in the oversized papasan chair he kept in the corner.

“Have room for one more?”

His head perked up at the sound of my voice. “For you? Always.”

I joined him in the chair, loving how we sank together. He immediately put his arm around me and pulled me into him, burying his nose in my hair. Soft music played in the background blending in with the sound of the small, meditative water element that sat on the end table.

“Do you usually hang out in here?” I asked, curious.

I’d only been in here once or twice before, and it was the first time I’d seen him use his nest since we’d gotten snowed in.

“I’ve never been able to have a heat here, so I mostly just use it whenever I want to chill out or destress. It’s my happy place.”

“Are you stressed?” I questioned, reaching out to take his hand.

“No, just a lot on my mind and I’m processing it all. Though it's become very apparent since I came in here that it doesn’t smell right. I’m going to need you and Spencer to spend some time in here with me.”

“And where is our flirty bear?” I questioned.

“Downstairs in the office working,” he said, his fingers started to comb through my hair. “You’re going out with Adam tonight, right?”

“Yep,” I said, shifting so that my head was in his lap and my legs were hanging over the side of the chair. “That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.”

“About your date with my brother?” he questioned, quirking an eyebrow.

“No, about your date with me,” I said, reaching up to cup his face. “I want to take you out on a real date. Just you and me.”

The smile that lit his face was absolutely blinding. His blue eyes shined with so much damned love in that moment.

“Is that a yes?”

“I’ve only been looking forward to it pretty much my entire life,” he said, holding me closer.

I laughed. “I think Spencer’s sass is rubbing off on you.”

“I could definitely make a joke about how that's not the only thing he’s rubbing on me,” Ollie said, heat filling his expression.

“If you keep looking at me like that then I’m going to be late, and I really want to try to do things the right way with you all.”

“Who’s to say what the right way is, Linds? Everyone’s journey is different. We have a lot of memories and history between us, but you know what the most important thing to me now is? Our future. As long as that future is us together, than it doesn’t matter what the road to get there looks like.”

My heart swelled at his words. “When did you get so smart?”

“I’ll tell you what I told Spencer, I don’t need or want courting. I’m not going through the Holiday Hollow courting tradition before we bond, end of sentence. No matter what my mom says. I’m self-aware enough to admit I’m too impatient for that.”

“I get not wanting to go through the whole courting scavenger hunt, but you have to know that we still want to spoil you,” I said. “And before you say something about not needing it, it’s for us as much as you. You deserve it Roly Poly Olly.”

He groaned. “You should go before I take you in here and my brother kills me.”

“We’ll have our time soon,” I promised.

Unable to resist, I sat up and kissed him. It wasn’t until my lips were swollen that I stumbled back into my bedroom to find a gray box laying on my bed.

My fingers ran over the pretty lacquer of the box, wondering who had put it there. Just as I was about to open it my phone began to ring, a number appearing across the screen I hadn’t seen before.

“Hello?”

“Thank fuck you answered,” a lively voice on the other end said. “I told Spencer to give you my number but he said no one should be subjected to my brand of love without proper introductions. I mean, I’m his damn sister. Which means we’re sisters now. He can’t keep you from me.”

“Alexandra?” I questioned. Spencer had mentioned his omega little sister more than once, but I should have figured she’d have just as much sass as him.

“The one and only!” she said. “But call me Lexi. I figured since I can’t make it down there right now, we could do some sister bonding time and I could help you get ready for your date. Call me after your shower. Love you. Byeeeeeee.”

I stared at the phone in wonder.

She was like a little, fierce wrecking ball of love. The fact that she not only knew about me, but my date tonight as well made me feel overwhelmed in the best way. I knew Spencer and she were close, but the fact that she obviously cared enough to want to get to know me was special.

Sure, I’d had Claire growing up, but she and Riley were always a bit closer and I never faulted them for that. I had the same dynamic with the guys. But as an only child, I had always wanted a sister.

Figuring I had nothing to lose, I followed her orders and got in the shower. Once I was clean, shaven, and lotioned, I slipped on my robe and gave her a call.

“I told my brother I wouldn’t scare you off,” she said in lieu of greeting. “You have to be tough as nails to put up with his ass. Okay, I’m switching to a video call so we can get this party started.”

A minute later she popped up on the screen waving at me. She was super fucking cute and nothing like what I expected. She had the same dark, jet-black hair and emerald eyes as Spencer but they rocked totally different vibes.

Lexi had an entire punky vibe going for her, from her winged eyeliner to her bangs she was a rockabilly vision.

“You’re stunning,” I told her seriously. “If you’re helping me get ready I’m going to be in good hands.”

“Obviously,” she teased, her hot-pink lips quirking up into a grin. “So, what outfit did my brother get you? Did he go with the blue or green?”

I looked at her questioningly before I remembered the box on my bed, setting my phone on the stand by the dresser so that she could still see, I went back to the box on my bed.

Lifting the lid I grabbed the card that rested on top of the gold tissue paper.

Angel,

I thought you could use something as beautiful as you for your date tonight.

Love, your alpha

My insides did that fluttery feeling, as I set the card to the side and peeled back the tissue paper to reveal a stunning dark-blue dress that was almost the same color as Adam’s eyes. Holding it up and feeling the luxurious material between my fingers I full-on swooned.

I hadn’t expected Spencer to get me gifts. Courting was usually reserved for omegas. But this dress made it perfectly clear that he felt I deserved the same.

For Hollow’s sake, I was completely gone for the man.

Here I was going on a date with someone else and he wanted to make sure I was taken care of. Any lingering resistance was completely obliterated.

“That’s going to look amazing with your hair and skin,” Lexi said from my phone. “Let’s talk hair and makeup, here’s what I’m thinking…”

A half an hour later, my hair was curled in soft waves, and my brown eyes were framed with soft champagne shadow. The tips that Lexi had given me along the way were crazy insightful.

“Do you do this for a living or something?”

“I do! Normally I work on more production based stuff here in the city, but I got my start doing things like proms and weddings. Speaking of weddings, I want to meet you before yours.”

I all but choked. “What?”

“Oh please, my brother is absolutely all in with you. You’re all packed up. Anyway, my parents and I were thinking of surprising him and coming for the winter festival he’s been talking so much about. But we need an accomplice to make it happen. Can I count you in?”

“Of course,” I said, already thinking about what we could do. “I have lots of small town perks being a local. Let me make a few calls and see if we have any vacancies left for the season. If not you all are more than welcome to stay with us, but I’m sure you’d like your own space.”

“Yes, I don’t need to be sleeping in my brother’s sex chamber,” Lexi shuddered. “Just feel free to call me or text me later. If you don’t, I’ll have to come down sooner and make you. Let me know how Adam likes the dress!”

Lexi hung up as fast as the phone call started. She was like a whirlwind, and I loved every second of it.

Now that I was off the phone, I slipped into the dress. The fabric was so soft and silky and it fit like a dream.

Standing in front of the mirror, I barely recognized myself. The dark blue looked amazing against my skin, and all of the tips that Lexi gave me for my hair and makeup had me looking absolutely stunning.

I slipped on a pair of heels and started heading downstairs to meet Adam for our date. A low whistle had me looking up, a smile playing across my lips as I spotted Adam waiting by the door.

He was dressed in a black suit, not just one of those frumpy, old men suits, of course. It was tailored to fit him and hugged his build perfectly.

“You look sexy in that,” I said, not bothering to hide my appreciation. The man was gorgeous.

Adam let out a surprised laugh and shook his head.

“You are the stunning one,” he countered before holding an arm out to me. “Shall we? Don’t want to be late for reservations.”

I perked up at that little clue he’d given me.

“Reservations?” I questioned. “Where are we going, sir?”

“I’m not ruining the surprise,” he said. “It’s a bit of a drive, but dinner will definitely be worth it.”

He was right about the drive. After buckling me in the car, he started toward the highway. Twenty-five minutes later, and we still weren’t there. He finally followed signs for Crested Hills, the biggest city we had around.

Adam never struck me as the ‘city type’ of guy, in fact, I knew he avoided it if he could. So, that meant he had something elaborate up his sleeve.

He navigated through the traffic as I stared out the window, taking in all the sights and sounds of the city. It felt like we were in a completely different world than Holiday Hollow. There we had our own little haven, a sanctuary from the insanity of society, but this had a beauty all its own.

He pulled up in front of a large skyscraper. The exterior gave nothing away. It was all dark glass and no signs, but the parking lot was already busy.

Instead of parking, he drove up right to the front doors where valets were waiting.

“Adam, what are you planning?” I questioned in shock. He gave me a smirk before climbing out. He walked around and opened my door for me, helping me out, which I needed thanks to the dress. I wasn’t used to wearing something so classy and formal.

He tucked my arm around his and then handed the keys off to the valet, waiting until they gave him a ticket before heading inside.

The lobby was gorgeous. It was all shining marble that reflected the huge chandelier overhead. A grand staircase rested in the center of the room and glancing up I could see the floors and glass railings go on for what felt like forever.

Off to the right was a check-in desk for a hotel, the name scrawled on a fancy sign behind it.

The Victorian Luxe Hotel.

Adam scanned the room quickly before leading me off to the side where a bank of elevators waited.

“This way,” he said. “It’s one of the best kept secrets of the city.”

As the elevator door slid shut, instead of choosing one of the floors with numbers next to them, he chose the Victorian Luxe restaurant. From the looks of it, it was either the top floor or the roof, I wasn’t sure which.

“Look,” he said, turning us around. I hadn’t even realized that the shining elevator was a window. The dark facade gave way as it passed the main floors and started rising up, giving us a view of the city lights below.

I gasped as it continued to rise. Adam’s arm went protectively around me, holding me steady in my heels as I stared out at the city lights.

“It’s breathtaking,” I whispered, almost pushing my nose to the glass like a tourist.

Adam’s voice was low and husky as he answered, “You are, Lindsay. I’ve always thought so.”

My heart slammed in my chest as I turned toward him, warmth spreading through my entire body. He took the opportunity to lean forward and press his lips to mine. The kiss was demanding and had me melting into him, my hands on his chest as he held me close.

We both ended it as the elevator dinged, the door sliding open.

Somehow, I kept my composure as I took in the restaurant we were walking into. It almost looked like an old greenhouse or conservatory with the glass building and high ceilings, but that was where the similarities stopped. A host was waiting for us in a fancy suit.

“Welcome to the Victorian Luxe Restaurant. Can I have your name?”

Adam gave him a reservation while I soaked in every inch of the dining room.

The tables were lined with midnight-blue tablecloths. The silver table settings and candles reminded me of the night sky against the deep blue.

Instinctively, I looked up, taking in the stars that were expanding above us. If we weren’t so high up, I don’t think we’d see it over the city lights, but up here I could see them sparkling faintly overhead.

“Right this way, please,” the host said. Adam started to follow him, pulling me along.

This was officially the nicest place that I’ve ever been in my life, and I couldn’t believe that Adam had arranged all of this.

After seating us, they started to pour champagne into the champagne flutes that were already on the table. Apparently, Adam had already prearranged everything.

When he walked away, Adam picked up my glass and handed it to me before taking his own.

“To us and finally finding each other,” he proposed.

“To us,” I agreed, clinking my glass carefully to his before taking a sip. It was tart and dry, with the perfect amount of bubbles. It was a lot better than the cheap stuff that I’d had before.

“Adam, this is all too much.”

“It’s never too much for you,” he countered with a smirk. The alpha knew he’d surprised me with this date. “They don’t offer a full menu here, it’s a tasting menu that the chef prepares every night.”

Here I was, a girl who was happy to have hot wings and fries at a bar, and I was about to eat a tasting menu in the fanciest place I’d ever been in my life.

“I wanted us to try to experience this together. When I heard somebody talking about this, I knew it was perfect. You’ve always been so great at suggesting pairings for the brewery. A bit out of character for me, but something spontaneous and fun we could do together.”

“Thank you,” I said. “You put a lot of thought into this and it shows. Everything is perfect.”

He smiled softly and took another sip of his champagne. We didn’t have to wait for long before the first course was coming out. It was a small bowl of soup with a fancy design drawn on the surface with white cream.

“They even do soup fancy here,” I teased before picking up my spoon. I was a bit worried because the soup itself was green, but the first bite was amazing. The flavors burst across my tongue, and I hummed in appreciation. I didn’t even need to know what was in it at this point.

“This,” Adam said with a wide smile. “I want to see more of this. I love seeing you enjoy yourself. You’re so–”

“Excuse me,” a woman said, stepping up to our table, cosmo in hand. “Do you think a big, strong alpha like you could possibly help me? I’m afraid my date stood me up and I need a ride home.”

A cloying, sweet smell wafted over the table as she shifted toward him, giving him an excellent view of her plunging neckline. Oh, this omega was working it alright. She’d seen Adam, an attractive, unmated alpha at what I assumed was an exclusive restaurant and thought what the hell? I should just shoot my shot. Who cares that he’s clearly on a date, she’s just a beta.

“No, I’m in the middle of something,” Adam said, not looking away from me. “Ask the maitre’d. I’m sure they’ll be of assistance.”

He dismissed her without a look, reaching over to take my hand.

“I don’t think you understand what I’m saying. I need help.” She all but pouted.

Her hand went to touch his shoulder and Adam moved away, giving her attention then. “No one touches me but my mate, and that’s her. Not you. You should go.”

Warmth filled me, a sense of satisfaction settling deep in my bones as he drew a clear line in the sand.

“Mr. Drake, is everything okay here?” our waiter asked as they brought out the next course.

“One of your patrons here is in need of a rideshare,” I said, tightening my grip on Adam’s hand.

“Certainly,” the waiter said, promptly. “Ms. Levington, Marc will help you at the front.”

Her lips twitched unhappily, but it was clear that she didn’t want to make more of a scene. The tables closest to us had already turned once Adam had shifted so suddenly.

“Thank you,” Adam told the waiter sincerely.

“I apologize she interrupted your night. I’ll make sure no one else does, and please allow us to include a complimentary pairing. The chef likes to make a secret one each night for the staff.”

“That’s very kind,” I said. “Thank you.”

They finished explaining the next dish, but I honestly didn’t remember a word they said. I was too busy looking at the alpha across from me, my best friend who had always stood up for me.

He’d done it when we were growing up, hardly older than five, and he had done it for me now. The context was different, but the man was the same.

And he was mine. All mine.

“You okay there, firefly?” Adam asked.

I smiled, feeling even lighter than before. “Never better.”

Each course was an adventure, small, little, bite-sized portions just enough for us to appreciate before we were moving on to the next. The staff was on top of it, filling our water glasses and champagne flutes if they started to dip below the top and swapping our plates as soon as they were empty.

Not another interruption came as Adam and I had a night I would never forget. The conversation flowed seamlessly just as it always had between us. But now, letting myself fully sink into this moment, I let myself enjoy every single bit of it. Especially the feel of his skin on mine.

By the time the dessert round came, I was relaxed and content, my stomach full without being miserable.

As they set the plate before me, my mouth watered. It was three simple truffles dusted in cocoa with an intricate raspberry sauce design on the plate.

“I have a feeling this one’s going to be my favorite one,” I teased. Of course, I also glanced around at other tables to see how everyone else was tackling the chocolatey dessert. It was clear ours was different and that we had additional options, and damn, did I love that the special pairing was extra dessert options.

The truffle was soft, and the spoon slid right through it. The inside was full of decadent chocolate, and the moment I pressed it to my lips, I couldn’t hide the moan that escaped.

“I think I’m in heaven.”

Adam chuckled before taking his own bite. His groan joined mine as it hit his tongue. We earned a few looks from the people around us. We were definitely not part of their world, but I couldn’t find it in me to care.

We continued to make inappropriate noises as we finished the amazing chocolate and raspberry dessert. I felt bad not everyone could experience this. This was what dreams were made of.

After they cleared the table again Adam’s eyes were on me and I swallowed hard at the heat boiling under the surface.

“I’ve already paid. What do you say we continue this downstairs?”

“Downstairs?” I questioned.

Adam nodded. “The choice is yours, but I took the liberty of booking us a room here.”

A world of possibilities flooded my mind at his words and I pressed my thighs together, trying to gain some relief from the growing sexual tension that had risen throughout the night.

“Are you going to ravish me, alpha?”

His eyes darkened at my words, and the heat between us surged to life again.

“For hours, Lindsay. I’m going to worship every inch of you and make sure you never forget this night.”