Page 33 of F Is for Honey Bee

“You didn’t even say goodbye.” Kijani gave him a long, searching look. “I told you last night the subject was dropped, yet you’ve been avoiding me since then.”

Jonah twisted his lips, unsure how to respond. The guy wasn’t lying. It wasn’t so much about Jonah’s conception as it was about his mate knowing his deepest shame.

Kijani had said he wouldn’t see him differently, but he felt as though he’d lost some respect in his mate’s eyes.

His opinion meant a lot to Jonah.

More than anyone else’s ever had.

“Look.” Kijani dragged a hand over his head. “I just want to know what’s going through your mind, honey bee. Just talk to me.”

“That’s just it,” he replied. “I don’t want to talk about it. You saw my canines, and now you know the truth. What else is there to discuss?”

He remained at the door because if he were to sit on the couch, Kijani may perceive it as an invitation to keep this conversation going.

His mate threw his hands up, a reaction Jonah hadn’t seen from him before. “There’s obviously more to talk about if you’re avoiding me and sneaking out of the house.”

“I’m not sneaking,” Jonah argued. “I was just quietly leaving for work.”

“Don’t try to argue semantics with me, Jonah.”

“And don’t try to boss me around just because we’re mates!” he shot back.

Kijani’s nostrils flared. “You don’t need to shout. I can hear you perfectly fine.”

A pang of guilt twisted in Jonah’s stomach. What was he doing? He was so used to arguing with Flint about every little thing that it had become a habit during a disagreement.

Begrudgingly, he admitted Arlo was right. Jonah had been a nicer person before dating Flint.

“I apologize for raising my voice.” He cleared his throat. “I have to get to work now. Please remember to lock the door when you leave.”

“I can’t believe you’re freezing me out.” Kijani shook his head. “I thought we were better than this.”

“Better than what? We’ve only known each other for a few days.” Jonah instantly regretted his words when he saw the hurt flash through those russet eyes. They had shared so much in those few days, and he’d never been happier than when he was with his mate.

The sadness in Kijani’s eyes made him only feel worse as he turned and walked away, leaving behind an uncomfortable tension between them.

While driving to work, Jonah had wanted to turn around a million times and run into his mate’s arms. He hated how he’d lashed out at someone who didn’t deserve his anger.

Since Flint’s arrest, Kijani had been there for Jonah. He’d been nothing but supportive, and Jonah had repaid his kindness with avoidance and hurtful words.

His breath hitched as he pulled to the curb in front of the diner. He’d chosen to run away instead of talking to his mate, but it was so hard for Jonah to open up about something he’d kept hidden most of his life.

It was one thing for Kijani to know about his relationship with Flint. As embarrassing as the situation had been, his mate had been one of the responding officers.

But Jonah wished he had never learned about the horrifying circumstances of his conception, that his mate had never learned of it either.

Ever since Jonah’s mother told him when he was twelve, he hadn’t been the same.

He wiped away his tears and cleared his throat before reaching for his phone. He dialed his boss’s number, explaining that he wasn’t feeling well and wouldn’t be able to come to work today. The guilt was too much, and Jonah needed to talk to Kijani. Besides, he wouldn’t be able to work today with the way he felt.

Or deal with Arlo.

When Jonah arrived back home, he was both relieved and anxious to see the cruiser still in his driveway.

Until Kijani walked out and jogged down the porch steps.

His mate was leaving.

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