Page 13 of Baking for His Omega

With Wyatt in his stroller, we walked out into the glaring spring sunshine. Along the way to the bakery, we were greeted by everyone we passed with a smile or a simple wave. That was Oliver Creek, I’d soon found. Everyone was nice. A place right out of a painting. When we turned the corner and were only a block away from the bakery, I saw Gideon step outside. He checked his watch and then glanced down the block in my direction.

I stopped in my tracks.

My whole body flared to life, and even Wyatt let out a giggle of glee.

I could call this friendship, but the truth was, I was already hooked on the baking bear.

Chapter Twelve

Gideon

I was veering into a broken heart. No question that trying to be friends with the omega Fate destined to be my mate would be a greater challenge than any I’d ever faced. My previous business life, selling everything and going to pastry school then opening this bakery were child’s play in comparison.

The party had gone pretty well. Very well, actually, with Kelly making sure all his guests had a great time from the dads to the little ones, and all the chaos and fun had kept me on track to help out without thinking too much about anything but pinatas and upside-down paper plates getting frosting on the rug. Considering the house was small, it had a respectable-size backyard, allowing the children to run around and have a great time.

Once everyone was gone, the voice of my bear was loud and clear. He was ready to declare ourselves and bring our omega and his fawn to our house to live that night. I knew shifters who met their fated and started their life instantly like that. But they generally were not subject to the complications of my omega. If the alpha father wanted to come back into their life, would he allow it? He’d made the fact that he wanted his son to have access to him as well.

Friendship might not be an easy path, but it was the only one not marked withRoad Closedsigns, at least for now. And as an alpha, my job was to put my omega’s needs and those of his fawn before mine. He’d said no in quite a dramatic way to my request for a date, and therefore I had to accept his decision.

I’d never considered that I might meet my mate and be the alpha who helped them without being their mate. I’d have had a hard time believing it. But here I stood.

“Everything should be done,” I told Anisette, going over my list of items for the day, “and, of course, you can take special orders, but not for today.”

“We never take same-day orders,” she said, eyeing me curiously. “Except for that one the other day. We aren’t changing our policy, are we?”

“No.” What chaos that would be. “But there may be other exceptions. Hopefully not many.”

“Gotcha.” She sprayed the vinegar and water solution with a few drops of dishwashing soap on the top of the glass display case and wiped it clean of fingerprints and crumbs. “No worries, boss. Enjoy your afternoon off.”

“I will.” I peeked out the door, but my—the—omega was nowhere in sight. “Let me know if you get any particular requests.”

“The peach day was huge. I think people are liking items made from fresh summer fruits.”

“Agreed.” I looked again. Nothing. Was it possible he’d change his mind and not come? “I’ll check with some of the farmers and see what’s coming in.”

“Mm-hmm.” She disappeared into the kitchen with her spray bottle and rag. “Aren’t you leaving?”

“In a minute. I’m waiting for a friend to go to lunch.”

She returned and took up her place behind the case. “That’s good. You don’t socialize enough. Maybe it’s time you found someone to date?”

I gave the young one my fiercest frown. “For all you know, I have a date with someone different every night of the week.”

“Do you?”

“No,” I blurted before clamping my lips closed.

“There’s an app for that, you know.”

I stepped outside and spotted Kelly pushing Wyatt in his stroller. Just in time. “I’m out of here. The subject of my personal life is officially closed.”

Before she said anything else, I started off down the sidewalk, my steps light as I closed the distance between me, the sexy omega, and the giggling toddler who held his arms out to me.

“Hi, Gideon,” Kelly said as I bent down to boop Wyatt’s cute little nose. “I hope we’re not late.”

“I don’t think so. I didn’t look at the clock when I came out. Ready for lunch?”

We strolled off down the street toward the PBJ place. Most of the town was walking distance from my bakery, including this fun sandwich shop. “I hope you like this place. We can go somewhere else if you’d rather.”

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