CHAPTER 67: PICNIC

Hailee’s POV

A message popped up on my phone:

"I’m outside your apartment. You done?"

My heart gave a little jump as I stared at it, then slowly let out a breath. I turned to the mirror, smoothing my hands over the soft off-shoulder top I’d chosen—cream-colored, light, and simple but flattering.

I wasn’t dressed too much, but I wasn’t underdressed either.

Just right.

The ripped high-waisted jeans hugged my hips in all the right places, and I’d thrown on a pair of white sneakers to keep things casual. My red hair was pulled up in a high ponytail, a few loose strands framing my face naturally. I added a light dab of gloss to my lips and blinked at my reflection.

"Okay, you can do this," I whispered to myself.

I grabbed my phone, tossed it in my small crossbody bag, and headed for the door. Butterflies fluttered in my belly as I stepped out of my apartment and locked my door.

The moment I turned around, there was Dane.

Leaning against his sleek car, hands in his pockets, dressed in a plain black tee and dark jeans that somehow made him look like a walking magazine cover. His silver hair shimmered under the evening light, and those piercing brown eyes landed on me the moment I appeared.

A slow smile tugged at his lips.

"Wow," he said simply, standing upright. "You look... good."

I gave a small smile, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Thanks."

He opened the passenger door for me like a gentleman, and I slid in, trying to ignore the way my heart wouldn’t calm down.

This wasn’t just a picnic anymore.

It felt like something more.

Something I wasn’t sure I was ready for... but somehow wanted anyway.

Dane started the car, the soft hum of the engine filling the quiet between us. I tried to keep myself distracted by scrolling through my phone, pretending like his presence wasn’t making my stomach flip every few seconds.

But, of course, that didn’t last.

"I have to say it, Hailee," Dane said casually, breaking the silence. "You don’t seem like an omega to me."

My fingers froze mid-scroll.

Slowly, I lifted my gaze away from my phone and looked at him. "What do you mean?"

He glanced at me briefly, then focused back on the road. "You don’t smell like one," he said simply.

I blinked, caught off guard.

"You don’t have that usual omega scent," he explained. "It’s faint. Almost masked."

I swallowed hard, staying silent as my brain tried to catch up.

"And then there’s the way you act," he added, shifting slightly in his seat. "Omegas tend to be... more submissive. Quiet. Careful."

He turned to look at me again, this time just long enough for his eyes to sweep over me before returning to the road. "You don’t speak like them either. There’s boldness in you. Fire."

I stayed still, suddenly very aware of every breath I took.

"And the way you dress," he added, almost as an afterthought. "Most omegas don’t bother with high ponytails, fitted jeans, or off-shoulder tops. You dress in pretty good clothes."

The car fell into silence for a moment, his words lingering heavily in the air.

I swallowed hard, unsure what to say. I felt exposed... like he’d peeled back the layers I’d worked so hard to keep up.

And he wasn’t wrong.

Everything he said—everything he noticed—was everything I’d been told to hide.

I gripped the strap of my bag a little tighter.

Maybe I wasn’t acting well.

Maybe I was messing it all up.

But I didn’t want to admit that. Not to Dane. Not even to myself.

So instead, I leaned back into the seat and looked out the window, whispering softly, "Guess I’m just a different kind of omega."

Dane chuckled under his breath. "Yeah... I think you are. And that’s cool."

Another moment of silence hung in the air as we continued the drive. I kept my eyes out the window, trying to calm the strange fluttering in my chest, but every now and then, I could feel Dane glance at me.

Eventually, the car slowed and turned off the main road onto a quieter, narrower path. My brows furrowed slightly. Where were we?

A few minutes later, we came to a stop in what looked like a hidden clearing surrounded by tall trees. The place was quiet, peaceful, and secluded.

I opened the door and stepped out slowly, the soft crunch of leaves under my sneakers the only sound.

Dane came around the car, his usual confident smile playing on his lips. "Before you look around," he said, "I want to cover your eyes."

I raised a brow. "Why?"

"Because I want it to be a surprise," he said, already pulling out a folded cloth. "Come on. Just trust me."

I hesitated, glancing around. "Dane..."

He stepped closer, lowering his voice just slightly. "Please, Hailee? Just this once?"

I sighed, reluctant... but then slowly nodded. "Fine."

His smile deepened as he gently tied the cloth around my eyes, making sure it wasn’t too tight. "Can you see anything?"

"No."

"Perfect." I could hear the amusement in his voice.

He placed a hand at the small of my back and began guiding me slowly. "Just a few more steps."

The grass was soft under my shoes, and I could feel the gentle breeze brushing against my skin. I had no idea what I was about to see—but somehow, the anticipation made my pulse race.

"Okay," Dane finally said after a few seconds. "You ready?"

I nodded, and he untied the cloth.

When I opened my eyes, my breath caught in my throat.

A picnic.

A beautiful, thoughtfully set-up picnic.

A thick blanket was spread over the grass, layered with plush cushions and small lanterns flickering gently in the evening light. A wicker basket sat in the middle, slightly opened with glimpses of fruits, sandwiches, and snacks peeking out. There were even two tall glasses and a chilled bottle of something sparkling waiting beside them.

And surrounding it all were tiny fairy lights strung low across the trees above us, glowing like stars.

"Dane..." I whispered, stunned. "You did this?"

He looked a little shy for once, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah. I mean... figured if you were going to say yes to a picnic, I’d better make it worth your time."

I blinked at him, touched in a way I didn’t expect.

This wasn’t some rich guy show-off moment.

It was... sweet.

Real.

"Do you like it?" he asked.

I nodded slowly, still looking around. "It’s beautiful."

"Good," he said softly. "Because you deserve something beautiful."