Page 24 of The Omega Archives: Part One

“I’m positive.” I almost laughed at how relieved Rita looked.

Accidentally dating a student was a mistake I watched her make last year. I would not make it myself. It was very awkward ever looking that undergraduate in the eye again until he graduated.

“We met at the coffee shop around the corner," I told her.

“You finally got a coffee there?” Her eyes widened further than when she saw Cal’s name.

"After you said you wouldn’t be home right away, I wanted to so I walked by the door and sort of…ran into him.”

I didn’t tell her that I also almost ran into another alpha today, or an omega that may or may not have recognized my designation. That felt like weeks ago, to be honest.

“I cannot believe this. First, that you didn’t tell me, and second,” Rita sing-songed, “My best friend for the first in her life put off work for a boy!”

“You can stop now. I'm going out on one date with him.”

My phone buzzed. Somehow, I managed to reach for it before Rita did.

Cal: Date night dress code: pants.

I narrowed my eyes.

“What did he say?” Rita asked.

“How do you know it was him?”

“Who else would it be?” She peeked over my shoulder. “Huh.”

“Why would he say I need to wear pants?” I questioned.

“Maybe he just wants to getinyour pants.”

I rolled my eyes. At least Rita was having fun with this. I figured I would anyway. It wasn’t as if I planned on wearing an evening gown out on a first date. Then again, who knew? I never really had a first date before.

Not like this.

“Maybe it is a more casual date. Or something active! Oh, I would pay to see you end up on a hike or something.” Rita laughed.

“He's not going to take me on a hike.” At least, I sure hope not.

“No. Probably not. What I’d give to be a fly on the wall for this historic moment.”

Before I could even consider going to bed, Rita insisted on helping me pick out an outfit for the end of the week. Clothes were spread out and around, it looked like even more of a mess I needed to clean up piece by piece.

Only then could I fully relax.

I stripped down to a loose t-shirt and underwear before I climbed into my bed. I had smooshed the plush mattress into the corner along with all of my pillows. It wasn’t a glamorous life I led. Not in the least. But at this point, it was just the right amount of perfect.

Spending more time with Rita always reminded me of that.

I could do this. I was doing this.

I reached for my phone and computer. I clicked through old emails to an older link I hadn’t used in a while. I hadn’t needed to since the last time things got desperate.

Along with being consistent, reliable, and the one thing was absolutely for sure that I could count on...

I was also desperate.

I watched the money drain my bank account for what wouldn’t be the last time to prove it.

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