Page 47 of Alpha's Unclaimed Mate

Her smile falters. A shadow crosses her face. Something’s up.

Once we’ve dried off inside my apartment, I plonk myself in the middle of the bed, catching my breath from the walkwhile she races around, securing the windows in the apartment.

“I miss my Ella Bella so much right now,” I sigh. “Every time it would rain, she would make spicy curly fries and hot chocolate and we’d curl up on the back patio.”

“Awww,” she says before throwing a T-shirt at me from my closet while grabbing one for herself. “Want some hot ramen?”

As I glance at the clock, I suddenly realize Jane’s spent almost the entire weekend at my place. She has made zero mention of Gunner, and hasn’t even talked about when she’ll go back to their place. Something’s definitely up.

“Creamy tomato for me, please. I don’t think you’ll like me at night if I eat spicy ramen right now,” I reply. Her head instantly pops out from behind the door, her eyes narrowed, trying to get a read on my tone.

“You’re taking the couch, by the way, since lately I’ve taken to mid-sleep kicking.”

Her shoulders relax and the tension in her face eases, a small smile breaking through.

“I think Gunner’s already cheated on me, or is about to.” Jane drops the bomb as we settle on the couch, bowls of steaming ramen in our laps.

The chopsticks slip from my fingers, nearly splashing broth everywhere.

Gunner’s always seemed like the perfect boyfriend. Sure, he’s not Mr. Chatty, but I’ve never caught him checking out other women.

“Seriously?” I say, wiping my hands on a napkin. “Have you seen anything, or is this just a hunch?”

Jane shakes her head, keeping her eyes fixed on the noodles in her bowl. “I haven’t caught him in action, but something’s up. He’s always talking about this girl as his ‘work wife’ like it’s a joke, and he guards his phone like he’s got the nuclear launch codes on it. He’s been acting weird for weeks.”

A loud crack of thunder makes the windows rattle, and the rain intensifies, drumming against the glass. I sip my iced tea, trying to digest what she’s said. “Have you thought about confronting him?”

She snorts, rolling her eyes. “As if? I can just picture him being dismissive. ‘Babe, you’re being paranoid.’”

“Then ask to see his phone. If he’s got nothing to hide, he’ll show you. You hiding out here won’t solve anything. And wait, why hasn’t he called you yet?”

Jane finally meets my gaze with a sheepish smile. “Well, I might have blocked him before I came over.”

“Jane!” I gasp, pushing my bowl away. “You’re kidding, right?”

She shrugs, a tiny grin playing on her lips. “What can I say? I needed a break from his nonsense. Plus, I figured a little radio silence would make him squirm.”

“You’ve got to talk to him eventually, you know. But maybe not today.”

She nods, sighing as she leans back onto the couch. “Enough about my drama. What’s going on with you and Ethan?”

“With this forty-inch waist?” I chuckle. “Not much. I’ve kind of put things with him on hold until the baby’s here. I just want to focus on getting ready for the little guy.”

Jane raises an eyebrow. “So…you’re not into him?”

“No, I am,” I reply, gently rubbing my stomach. “What’s not to like? He’s warm, thoughtful, funny...and there’s this childlike quality about him that I really love. But I want to take my time with it. I don’t want to rush into anything just because I’m trying to get over Theron. It wouldn’t be fair to Ethan.”

I want to forget every single thing about Theron before doing anything with Ethan, but in two months I’ll have a permanent reminder of him living in my apartment. How can I deal with that and a new relationship at the same time?

“I hate how boys come into our lives and ruin them. Maybe the friends-with-benefits thing would be better for our mental health in the long-term.”

I laugh at her suggestion. We finish our ramen in silence, the storm outside mirroring the turmoil within us both. Jane brings back a bar of chocolate from the fridge for dessert.

“So, how’s the hybrid work mode going? Gunner and I were just talking about it the other day, and it sounds like you’ve hit the jackpot,” Jane says, handing me half the bar.

“It’s amazing. My gym routine’s still on track, and the office is more like a social meetup now. Twice a week in-person is perfect.”

She arches an eyebrow, looking at me directly. “No clients yet, huh?”

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