Page 48 of One Wild Omega

“The company just lost our a senior designer down in the Port Sacrementi office. I want to recommend you for the position. I think you’re ready.”

Fitz paused, letting the information sink in.

Allyn continued. “I know you’rereallyclose to your family, but it would only be a few hours by train to get back up here to see them.” He paused, smiling. “This would be agreatopportunity for you.”

“It would,” Fitz said, knowing he should feel more excited about the prospect. “Do you really think they’ll go for it, though? Thereareother architects with a lot more time with the company.”

“And none of them have the instincts you have,” Allyn said, rising to his full height. “Think it over and let me know if it’s something you want to go for. You’d have my full backing if you did.”

“Yeah. I’ll definitely think it over,” Fitz said, his mind returning to Tanner for some reason. The thought of leaving him hung like an odor in the air.Get a grip.

“In the meantime, get that draft done so I can take a peek and approve. I’ve got a project sitting on my desk with your name on it. You don’t hurry up, I’ll assign them to one of your co-workers.”

“Oh come on,” Fitz growled.

Allyn chuckled as he headed for the door. “Get to it.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Fitz said, pulling the program back up and tackling the corrections. It wasn’t until much later that he remembered the florist’s website. He pulled it back up at the end of the day… once his rough draft was done and sent. He stared at the screen, again reminding himself that flowers weren’t enough before clicking it off and clearing up his desk.

But they might be a start.

* * * *

An hour or so later…

Still in his PJs and robe, Tanner leaned across his kitchen counter, cradling a warm cup of coffee in his hands. The night before had been epic—epicallygood orepicallybad, he still wasn’t sure. All he knew was he was now paying the price for it, just as Raimy had warned. It didn’t matter that it was almost evening, he was just making himself some coffee, as well as a grilled cheese, in hopes to perk himself up.

After another sip from his cup, he rested his forehead on the cool tile of the counter. It felt good against his aching noggin. Suddenly, the scent of burning bread reached his nose and he too quickly lifted his head, sending his vision spiraling.

“Godsdamnit!” Tanner cried soon after the smoke detector began to screech in warning. He stumbled over to the pan, cut off the heat, and then tossed the blackened sandwich into the garbage. The scent of burning food filled the space. He reached up and waved the smoke away from the detector… but before he could stop it, a knock came to the door.

Between the two, spirals of pain raced through his throbbing head. He stumbled over to the door, feeling like hell.

Ripping it open and glaring, he saw Fitz.

Holding ahugebouquet of flowers.

The detector finally stopped squealing, and he sighed in relief. “Whatare you doing here?”

Fitz scented the air. “Burning down the house?”

“I burned my breakfast.”

“It’s after five. Wouldn’t that make it dinner?”

“Did you come by to judge my chosen hour of breakfast?” Tanner asked, lifting a hand to his head. “I had a rough night. Leave me alone.”

“Hungover, hmm?” Fitz offered a slight smile.

He wasn’t in the mood for smiles from Fitz. Not in his current state, especially. “Fuck off,” Tanner cried before slamming the door closed and spinning. Only there was no slam. He paused to look over his shoulder and saw a huge booted foot between the door and jamb. The door slowly creaked open, and Fitz eyed him.

“I promise I’llfuck offas soon as I apologize for how I acted.”

Tanner turned to face his alpha. “Too little, too late.”

Fitz appeared to ignore him. He let himself in and closed the door behind him before offering up the flowers again. “These are for you.”

Tanner eyed the bouquet. “Flowers? Really?”

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