Page 2 of One Last Chance

Joane’s eyes keep bulging out of her head like she’s a child and I’m explaining something out of this world magical.

“So you…want kids in that way? I’m sorry! I don’t mean to be offensive or— I’ve never really met a pregnant man, actually. Well, pregnant omega man, I should say, since my cousins’ best friend has a trans husband, who was pregnant, but I only met him briefly at a wedding.” The speed at which all of that comes out of her mouth is almost asking to be considered for some sort of Guinness Book of Record nomination. “I mean, of course, Iknowomega men get pregnant. I’ve seen it in movies and stuff, but—”

My titter stops her panicked rambling,thank god. “You’ve never really been around an omega. I get it. You can relax. I know that venus aren’t really common in this area. It’s what, like six percent of the city’s population?”

“Think so,” Joane says, and her tense posture seems to relax with a deep exhale. She still darts her eyes around my face to gauge if I’m truly not offended, but I keep smiling. This isn’t the first time I’ve been met with an awkward reaction like this.

“Anyway,” I continue with ease, “there are usually two types of people when it comes to dating someone like me. Those who don’t care about all the second gender BS, and the purists. I’m gay, so being with a female alpha is out of the question, and two male omegas haveabhorrentconception rates. So, my only chance to have my own kid is getting together with a male alpha, but…like I said, for most of them, I’m already past my expiration date for starting a family. If they want to date an omega, it’s often to keep passing these damn genes on, so why lose your time with one who might not even have time to do so,” I say with a shrug, and internally groan over the tragic tone my speech took.

I thought telling her might make me feel better, but now I just sound like I’m throwing a pity party for myself. Joane frowns, visibly calculating something in her mind. I can almost see the gears spin. “I thought you people have like…the best fertility rates?”

“With an already established pregnancy, yeah. Miscarriages are virtually unheard of, but it’s not always as easy when it comes to the actual conception. My particular set of circumstances has the hardest time.”Because of course I do…

“So why not be with a normal—I mean beta—man? That still works, no?”

I snort, feeling sorry for how hard she’s trying to get it all right. Like me trying to grasp algebraic geometry at school. “Yeah, it could… If my parents weren’t my parents,” I say with the appropriate amount of exhaustion. “The purists I mentioned? Alphas and omegas who arerealproud to be what they are, for whatever reasons, and want to preserve our little subspecies by only getting together with each other? My parents sort of fall under that.”

She raises her brows. “Oh…”

Judging by her horrified expression, I worry I might have made it out to be a little more severe than it is, so I straighten up in the chair and clarify. “Don’t get me wrong. It’s not like they would disown me if I got together with a beta. I dated a few in the past. I admit, they weren’tthrilledabout it,” I say with a bitter grimace, “but they really just want what’s best for me, and think the perfect bond with an alpha is it. I come from a long line of omegas and alphas with hardly any mixing outside of that. They’re just…proud of that heritage. I don’t really care for it that much, but I’m their only child, so I don’t want to disappoint them. Would be a shame to let all those generations go to waste,” I mutter, lowering my gaze.

Problem is that if I don’t find an alpha willing to have me who I can also stand, or even love, it will go to waste, anyway.

“I see.” Joane nods sharply, tapping her hands over her knees. “I don’t know if it’s comparable, but my mom had my younger brother in her forties. It’s noteasy, but not impossible either, so I’m sure it’s not as hopeless as it might seem,” she says and her naïve, wide grin actually moves something within me. The stomach cramp I’ve had all day from stress eases, and for a moment, I feel like maybe things aren’t as hopeless as they might seem.

Only she doesn’t even know about my pheromone issue, sitting on top of everything like the notional cherry. Mushy, rotten, stupid cheery. And there’s no way I can burden her simple, beta mind explaining allthat.

“Yeah…” I force a smile that I hope will somehow trick my mind into becoming a bit more positive as well. “You’re right. I guess I’ll see soon if my next romantic venture turns out to be anything more than another douche with commitment issues, since my mom is already lining up another date as we speak,” I say, lifting my phone and waving it to the side, screen up.

“I’m sure it will work out, Dayton.”

I wish. And I wish I didn’t have dozens of dates ghosting me after our encounter to make me think otherwise.

“We should probably get out of here,” I say, glancing at the clock. “The cleaners will be here any minute, and they hate when anyone stays while they work. God, the looks they give you!” I roll my eyes and Joane laughs in agreement.

We both stand, and as she returns the chair to where she got it from, I stare blankly at the back of her head. Maybe going back to my empty apartment to another sad night of watching game shows and ordering takeout isn’t something I should subject myself to today.

“Hey,” I blurt, surprising myself, and Joane turns. I keep telling myself to go out more and make friends—friends I don’t intend to fuck and start a family with. She seems nice enough, so why not? “You want to go for a beer or something? I know it’s Wednesday evening, but it’s been a long day of infuriating team meetings for both of us. Feels like we both need a little mid-week break.”

A spark of light brightens her eyes. Without a hesitation she nods, looking like an excited puppy. “I’d love to! Any place you like? I moved into the city four months ago, so I don’t really know many places. This job has been a steep learning curve, so I didn’t even have time. Where do you think we should go? I’ve been seeing this restaurant on the way to work every day and always wanted to go. Do you like shellfish?”

Joane rambles away while I turn off my computer and clear my desk. She sounds relaxed, like we’re old friends, and that puts me at ease. I decide that for the rest of the day, all I want is to hear about is her.

No more overthinking my own damn life. At least for tonight.

Chapter 2

Rowland

A date? You have got to be kidding me.Groaning, I hover over the electronic diary on my computer, wondering when they managed to put that Friday evening appointment in without me noticing.

Must have been before I went into the meeting. Thankfully, I have some time before lunch with the investors, so I pick up the office phone in front of me and lean back into my chair, scratching my beard while it rings.

“Yes, Mr. Hall?” Riley answers the phone promptly using her flawless customer service voice, but I’m already sure she knows too well why I’m calling and only acts like nothing is amiss.

“Riley…would you kindly tell me who made thatpersonalreservation for tomorrow evening?” Even the fancy restaurant setting has ‘Mother’ written all over it. Brickland Grove? Whoever the date is, they’re going to think I see them as an escort, not a date.

My questionably loyal secretary draws in a sharp, nervous breath, and her silence already tells me enough. This isn’t the first time—or fifth, for that matter. “Mrs. Hall, sir,” she admits in a low voice, and I sigh straight away. “She told me not to mention it. That you were fine with it. I apologize,” she says in a more serious tone, but I imagine she probably sits there with a slight smirk on her face.

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