My Alpha's Secret

Chapter Two

Shortly after watching Amber walk out the front door or the shop, I hear the bell of the door. Amber has returned with a box in her hands. She Turns to the front door made of glass and proceeds to turn my 'We're Open!' sign to the side stating 'Sorry! We're Closed!'. Humming to herself all the while. Grinning like a chesser cat who had just eaten a mouse she returns to the counter. Looking down at the white box made of leather. I raise my eyebrow in question. The only answer I get is her placing the box carefully on the counter. As I look down at the box, I can see it is made of white leather and approximately the size of a shoe box. On top of the box is an white envelope with elegant script written on the cover, *Paige Tate*.

"Okay." I say outloud. "I'll bite. What it is?"

And once again I get no response. Instead she gently slides the box across the counter to me. Still with the goofy smile across her face, she turns the box around to face me. As I pick up the envelope, I notice something else on top of the box out of the corner of my eye .It's a picture that had been burned ito the leather on the top of the box. I lean down to get a better look.

The picture is of two little girls grinning from ear to ear. They had their arms around each others shoulders. One little girl had long kinky type curls that past her shoulders. She was wearing and sundress and sporting a head band with a bow off to the side. The other little girl had straight hair that come down to her jawline and was wearing a striped t-shirt and she had a rose pendant around her neck. The border of the picture was a bunch of sunflowers and roses in the form of a heart. It was absolutely beautiful.

Even though the image was in black and white I knew that the little curly haired girl had brilliant blue eyes. And I knew that the other little girl had brown. I also knew that the pendant of the rose around her neck was an off pink with green and yellow on the leaves and stem. How could I forget. I've seen it almost everyday since the picture was taken. It was us. I remember that day. I had given her the pendant as a gift when she had gotten back from a week long family vacation. She had made a promise to never take it off. And as far as I know She never had.

Tears welled up in my eyes and I became aware at how quite it was in the store. I could feel Ambers watching eyes as she leaned over to grabb my attention. As I look up, i notice she is now inches from me face still sporting aa smile.

"What's this for?" I asked in a cracked tone.

Instead of answering me, she's gestures for me to open the box. So I grab the delicate looking knob made from some type of crystal gem and open the box. Inside is some of my favorite bath and body spray and soap. Along with my favorite chocolates she always says are too expensive and hard to find. There is also a couple of small wine bottles, barefoot Mosato. All the items are displayed beautifully inside the box. The I notice scripted into the side of the box is the question,*Will you be my maid of honor?***

I let out a laugh as tears stream down my face. She knows how emotional I am and still goes all out. To be honest I probably would've cried if she came right out and asked me. Standing in silence with tears in my eyes wasn't doing it for Amber. She made her way around the counter to come give me a hug.

"I was going to wait until tonight to give if to you but now you are talking about not going and you just seemed like you needed a pick-me-up and.." She began to ramble on.

"Why would you have waited til tonight to give it to me?" I asked surprised.

She looked at me and began to giggle.

"Because I knew you were going to react like this..." She stated matter of factly.

"Are you serious Amber?" I exclaimed. "I'm crying right now! Is that what you were going for? Is that what you wanted?"

"No." She replied. "It's cute. My bestfriend in the whole wide world is extremely emotional and I think it's cute!"

I laughed. I hate it. I'm way too emotional.

"It is definitely not cute!" I told her.

"Well you might not think so but I do." She said. "Besides that wasn't the only reason..."

I look at her wondering what her other reason could be. I still had tears in my eyes. She just smiles like the devil. Okay she's up to something.

"Well are you going to tell me the other reason?" I asked.

"So you would say yes." She stated. Smiling ear to ear.

"I would've said yes regardless!" I tell her as I embrace her in a warm hug.

It seems like we've been hugging for ages now. She pulls back still smiling. Studying my face as i look t the box. Yes. I did need this pick-me-up. I feel ten times better than I did ten minutes ago.

"Let me call my mom and see if she'll keep Mason tonight." I tell her and her face lights up with joy.

No sooner than I get the words out my mouth do we hear a knonk on the door.