Page 11 of Baking for His Omega

“Please do. He’s always welcome as far as I’m concerned.”

“I would love to, then. Meet you at the bakery at noon?”

“Sounds perfect. Good night, Kelly.”

“Good night, Gideon.”

I hung up the phone, but there was no way in hell I could sleep after that conversation. It somehow made my deer fall even deeper for the alpha. I’d turned him down for a date but he still wanted to hang out with me as a friend and with Wyatt?

He couldn’t be more endearing if he tried.

I got out of bed and made myself a cup of tea. I hoped Gideon was able to sleep tonight. Running the bakery and then making cakes must’ve been hard work. Running a business was hard work.

And this hardworking, sexy, handsome man was making time for me. As a friend, of course, but the gesture and the meaning behind it struck me right in my heart.

I would have a hard time not falling in love with him, but I would try.

Tea in hand, I went to the living room and tackled the pile of laundry waiting for me. It was a chore, but I loved folding the little shorts and shirts my son wore. I would have to go to the thrift store in town soon. He was growing like a fertilized weed, and the T-shirts were becoming crop tops by the day.

After the folding was tackled, I cleaned up, trying to rid myself of the chains of overthinking. I checked my bank account.

Goddess, I needed to find a job and quickly. I had enough for us to make it on meager means for about three to four more months, but that was it. I had nothing else to fall back on.

Something would come up, I told myself. It had to.

I could ask Judson for child support, but he would string the whole thing with a legal mess and trouble and threats. He loved to threaten me. Keep me scared. Because scared equaled control, and my ex mate loved nothing more than to be in control.

I’d rather work two jobs than to ask him for a dime.

Despite the two cups of sleepy tea, I was wide awake. I tried a hot shower but as I lay in bed, the only thing I could think of were my troubles and Gideon. He was one of the troubles.

I couldn’t let my heart get broken again. I was still picking up some of the pieces from Judson.

Gideon wouldn’t break my heart; I was sure of it. He was so kind and observant. He saw that I didn’t want to give Wyatt more sugar. He picked up on little cues no one else would ever notice.

Even so, there was a speck of doubt inside me.

I had to figure out my life before I involved anyone else.

My deer didn’t like the idea of keeping Gideon as a friend, but he was also happy I didn’t dismiss him altogether. This way, we would get to spend time with him.

This way, my heart wasn’t on the line.

I groaned, rolling over to bury my face in the pillow.

Who was I kidding? I wanted Gideon. A part of me needed him in my life.

Damn this human mind of mine. Debating. Changing opinions. Flipping from one thing to another.

If only I could let my deer take the lead and lean in to Gideon. Let him ease all the doubts I had and take up the life I deserved. Happy. With a fated mate.

If only.

Chapter Eleven

Kelly

The morning of our date, not a date, Wyatt had a playdate at the library. My son loved books and had never really taken to TV and I was glad for it. The library days were his favorite. Some of the other kids walked around and did their own thing while the story was read aloud, but my fawn sat still, staring, in awe.

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