Page 19 of Alpha & Omega

“That smells fantastic.”

“Thanks. There’s some coffee if you want. I have mugs in the cabinet next to the fridge. There’s cream and sugar, too.”

“Want some?”

“Sure. A splash of cream and two teaspoons of raw sugar.”

Once the vegetables were tender, I added the sausage crumbles back into the pan. As our breakfast simmered, I made little wells in the mixture and cracked several eggs, dropping each one into the well without breaking the yolks.

Kingston handed me my mug of coffee and hopped onto the counter next to me to watch me cook. I took a tentative sip of the hot brew before sitting it on the counter. I spread his knees apart and slid between them. He draped an arm over my shoulder, smiling down at me.

“I had a great time last night,” he said.

“So did I. I ah… it feels like you’re still inside me.”

His smile turned devilish, and his blue eyes twinkled. “I like the sound of that. Makes it hard to forget me.”

“And I wouldn’t want to. I’d really like to do this again.”

“Definitely. Me, too.”

“When are you free next?”

He thought about it. “Thursdays until Sundays are always really busy. And I usually head out of town on Mondays to check on my foster brother, but I’m off again next Wednesday.”

I feigned a pout. “I have to wait a whole week to see you again, huh?”

Kingston smiled and leaned forward to kiss me before pulling back. It was just a brush of lips and not nearly enough. The romantic side of me always wanted to be kissed with passion, but this would have to do.

“Afraid so.”

I stepped away from him, sprinkled the grated cheese on top of the skillet, and let the meal cook for a couple of more minutes before removing it from the heat.

Instead of plating the food, I loaded up a fork with egg, potato, and vegetables, and brought it to his awaiting mouth. Kingston opened wide and took a bite, slowly chewing and savoring.

“Delicious,” he said with his mouth full. “I can’t cook shit. I never really learned. Well, I’m notthatterrible at cooking, but I can’t do anything like this.”

“This is nothing. It was easy to make. One night, I’ll invite you over for dinner.”

He took the fork from me, reached over to the pan to scoop some food, and fed me a bite as well. “As long as we get to feed each other like this.”

My smile was crooked. “Is there any other way to eat?”

It’dbeenfivedayssince my date with Harley. I hadn’t told my family about him because I didn’t want to deal with the incessant teasing they loved to dish out on each other. All they knew was that I had a date, and it went well, which didn’t stop them from nagging the hell out of me for the details, but I’d managed to keep a tight lip until they eventually grew bored.

I drove down to Arlington, VA, right outside of Washington, DC, to see my foster brother. I checked in on him two to three times a month to make sure he was doing well, but I tried to get down here every Monday if I could.

When I parked the car in the parking lot of the apartment complex, I got a text.

Harley: You know what’sreally stupid?

Me: That we don’t have universal healthcare?

Harley: …

I laughed and sent another response.

Me: Sorry, sore spot.

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