2

Baylee’s POV

When I wake up, I realize Aspen is on top of me, Dusty is under my head as a pillow, Sandy is at my feet, Lou is on the floor with her head beside mine, and Dexter’s mum, Zoe, is curled up next to me on the sofa. In that moment, I realize just how lucky I am to have a pack that would come and soothe my pain.

Although… the dog hair is a little extreme.

As I look up, I spot May and Ryan standing by my feet, both of them looking concerned.

“What time is it?” I whisper, my throat dry from the nap.

“3 p.m. Get up, we’re going shopping and getting our makeup done!”

I groan, rolling my eyes. “No, I’m staying here!”

Ryan growls, shaking his head. He grabs my waist and flings me over his shoulder. I squeak in surprise.

“What the hell are you doing!” I growl, hitting his back.

“I’m not letting that asshole ruin both your birthdays. We’re going shopping, and when we get back, I’m punching that bastard in the face,” he grumbles, ignoring my protests as he walks down the hall to my room.

“Now, you either get dressed and come willingly, or I’m dragging your ass to the shops in your sweats. What’s it gonna be?!” May grins at me as she follows behind. I can see it in her eyes—this day is getting ruined for her. And that’s not something I’m okay with.

“Fine, okay, I’ll go. Just please put me down!”

He stops at the foot of my bed and drops me. My stomach flops as I bounce onto the soft mattress. He winks, dusts off his hands, and walks out.

“He’s so damn dreamy,” May mutters, fluttering her eyelashes at him as he passes.

I roll my eyes and climb out of bed. I dress quickly—jeans, a vest top, my Converse—and grab an oversized cardigan. Then we leave. I jump into the back of May’s new car while Ryan hops into the front seat. He adjusts it, gets comfortable, and we head into town.

When the manicurist starts on my feet, Ryan giggles like a schoolgirl beside me. May convinced him to get a pedicure after a long day of shopping, and he looks ridiculous. He’s at least 6’6”, built like a tank, and if you didn’t know him, you’d be terrified. So to see him laid back, getting his feet done, is beyond anything I could’ve imagined.

“Ahhh, that tickles!” he giggles, wiggling his toes.

The poor lady doing his feet is so distracted by his looks that she barely notices how childish he’s being.

“Babe, sit still!” May scolds him, grinning as her lady starts painting her toes in her favorite green shade. I pick purple, grinning as another woman starts on my hands, painting them to match.

“Are you sure this isn’t too girlie?” Ryan asks, pointing at the clear nail varnish.

May rolls her eyes, but I can see the smile tugging at her lips. “Of course not. Plus, nobody is going to know. Baylee won’t tell.”

I snort, making no such promise.

Ryan glares at me. “If you tell anyone, I’m going to kill you!”

I roll my eyes. As if I’d let it slip that the biggest pack in the world has a beta who gets his toes painted in his free time.

“I pinky promise I’ll tell nobody important,” I say innocently.

He narrows his eyes. “Baylee, you better not tell the asshole.”

I snort again, imagining Caden’s face.

Don’t get me wrong—guys can do anything girls can, and vice versa. But the men I know usually spend their free time at the gym, not pampering themselves.

“I promise. I won’t tell. I swear.”

Ryan nods, satisfied—just before squawking like a bird when she rubs the bottom of his foot.

Just then, my phone beeps. I pick it up and groan when I see Caden’s name. I hand the phone to Ryan.

“Check that and see if it’s important. If it’s a rejection, just delete it,” I snap.

He opens the message and raises his eyebrows, then hands the phone back to me.

“Sorry for being a dick earlier. I was shocked and thought you hated me, so I ran like a baby. Meet me at the bar tonight?”

My eyes glaze over, my stomach flipping. I grin, glancing at Ryan and May, who both look thrilled.

“Told you he wasn’t going to reject you,” May says with a smug smile.

I grin, type out a quick reply, and hit send.

“What did you say?” May leans over Ryan to peek.

I show them the screen. “Okay. See you there.”

I’m not much of a texter.

May rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “So boring. You could at least freak him out a little. It’s what I do when Ryan pisses me off.”

He scoffs. “Me piss you off? I do nothing wrong. You’re the one running around with boys, skirt halfway up your ass cheeks. If I don’t step in, nobody will!”

May snorts and winks at me.

“Well, I’m not in the mood for games. I just want to be with him. Finally.”

Ryan pats my hand and smiles. “You’re right. Just have some fun today and see what happens tonight. So… what’s next?”

May grins at him. “Now makeup!” she squeals excitedly.

I roll my eyes. I wish I could get as hyped as she does about this stuff. Instead, I groan and close my eyes.

“Wake me when they’re done,” I mumble, yawning. All this pampering is making me sleepy.