Page 10 of Baking for His Omega

“That’s true.” She opened her mouth and took a big bite. Chewed. Swallowed. Stayed silent.

“Anisette?” Nerves made my voice twitch. “Aren’t you going to tell me what you think?”

“No because it will go to your head.” She took another bite and groaned. Enough said.

By opening time, my assistant had filled the cases nearly to bursting, and there were a half dozen people waiting for us to open, and I was grateful to have finished all the baking early. My help was needed at the front counter. Which we refilled over and over again.

And then I learned something. The peach scent currently hanging in the air, as fragrant and delicious as it might be, had nothing on the inspiration. Because when Kelly entered with Wyatt, his scent was three times as nice.

He ordered a bear claw, but I wanted him to try the danish he’d inspired—not that I could tell him so—and to give Wyatt one of my little fruit cups. They were always made from what was fresh in season, if possible, so today’s included strawberries, blackberries, and some luscious chunks of peach. They also had just a few cubes of angel food cake, and people watching their diet and/or their sugar intake loved them.

I was so excited to see him that I allowed my emotions to take over and before I knew it, I’d let my guard down and asked Kelly on a date. I knew better—I’d warned myself not to do something like that unless he showed a sign that he might welcome my advances.

Which he had not. He’d merely stopped by to thank me again and buy pastry.

But…I did it anyway, and he was out of the shop like a shot, not even giving me a chance to apologize for overstepping.

I didn’t know how I made it through the day, kicking myself over and over until I got home. Finally, I couldn’t stand it anylonger and picked up the phone. He wasn’t interested in me as a mate, but he did need a friend.

And I could put my own desires aside and be just that.

Chapter Ten

Kelly

In that sacred space between awake and sleep, my ringing phone jolted me up to sitting. No one called this late, except maybe my parents and only in an emergency. We didn’t have a close relationship. I doubted they even knew how old Wyatt was.

I picked up my phone and saw the number I’d saved in my contacts. Bearly Baked. It was late, so why was Gideon calling me at this hour?

“Hello?” I asked, realizing my voice was groggy.

“I’m so sorry, Kelly. Did I wake you?”

I cleared my throat. “No. I was almost asleep though. Is something wrong?”

“No. I couldn’t go to sleep without talking to you.”

I leaned against the headboard, wishing the circumstances were different. If I was a different omega. If I hadn’t been hurt before.

“Okay. Talk.”

He chuckled low and deep. I closed my eyes, imagining he was next to me. That laugh would certainly make my body come to life. His lips would graze mine. It would be the beginning of a night of lovemaking and bliss.

“I wanted to apologize for being so forward today. I realize you’re just out of a relationship and you’ve got Wyatt to think about. That was wrong of me.”

“No,” I protested almost before he ended his sentence. “I was flattered. I really was. But yes, I have Wyatt to think about.”

“That’s why I have another proposition.”

“Go on.”

Another chuckle. This time lower and even sexier. “How about a friendship? I really like being around you and Wyatt, and I could use a friend.”

“You can never have too many in my opinion.”

Gideon sighed. “I think that’s true as well. Thank you for giving me a chance. So, friend, how about lunch this week? There are so many fantastic places to eat in Oliver Creek. I have this Saturday off. Would that be good for you?”

“Can I bring Wyatt?” I asked. I couldn’t afford a sitter, and the daily drop-off rate for the daycare center was a bit much.

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