Page 33 of What A Croc
Robert:Did you read that in an omega magazine?
Me:No!! But…I might have been told that bysomeone.
I didn’t think it was a great thing to always bring up Levi to Robert. But he had been the one to tell me that my compulsive need to shower him with gifts was my love language. My gifts were never super extravagant, though the roses I had sent Robert after his heat hadn’t been cheap. But that was a special occasion, at least in my book.
It was our first heat together, and I had been honored he had let me share it with him. Because he didn’t need to say yes. We barely knew each other, fated mates or not, and an omega in heat was as vulnerable as they could get. He would have been justified to tell me no and I would have been happy to take him home. Of course, I would have paced and worried and wondered, but I would have accepted his choice.
The fact that I had sent Robert some kind of gift practically every single day this week was just…me. It was how I courted. And yeah, I knew that was a super old-fashioned word, but Robert was kind of an old-fashioned guy. Which had nothing to do with him being older than me. He just came across as a bit of an old soul, with okay, maybe slightly outdated ideas on some things. But it was just part of his charm.
Robert:You can say it was Levi. I don’t mind you talking about him, truly.
Me:I’ve been told it’s bad to bring up your ex’s when you are dating.
Robert:But he’s not your ex, J. He died. That is very different than what Jane is to me.
My heart gave a fast thump at his use of calling me J. He had started it a few days ago, and I secretly loved it. I hadn’t told him, but I loved that he had his own special name for me, even if I knew logically, he probably did it because he didn’t want to type Jackson all the way out. Whatever, I still liked it.
Robert:I think I would have really liked Levi.
Me:I think so too.
Needing to change the subject, I asked how the cookies I had sent were. I was quickly becoming addicted to The Sweet Spot, and cursed Brendan daily for pointing me in the direction of his brother-in-law’s bakery/coffee shop. Every morning, I found myself stopping for a latte and something sweet to have for a mid-morning break.
This morning, on a whim, I noticed that they delivered locally and had sent a dozen assorted cookies to Robert at the daycare. Yesterday, I had lunch delivered to him fromthe local Italian restaurant, since he had told me pasta was one of his weaknesses.
I had this insatiable need to take care of him, and I refused to rein the feeling in. I would have tried had he asked me to, but so far, he hadn’t.
As long as Robert would let me, I planned to shower him in gifts. Any small thing I might see that I thought he would like, that would make him feel special. So he would know how truly amazing I thought he was.
Me:When can we have a do over of our date? I want to take you out and finish our first date since we got interrupted.
Robert:Don’t act like you didn’t enjoy getting interrupted by my heat, J.
Well, I would never deny that. Spending Robert’s heat with him had been one of the best experiences of my life.
Me:I would never say that. But I do want the chance to take you out.
Robert:I’m pretty free. You’re the one that needs to find a sitter.
Me:True. Okay, let me see what I can work out and I’ll let you know.
Robert was right; in my eagerness to spend time with him, I couldn’t neglect Aiden. I had already had to make excuses for why he had needed to stay at Brendan and Ryan’s. I hadn’t told him I was seeing anyone, as I had made a vow to myself that I wouldn’t bring anyone around Aiden until I was sure they were someone I was truly interested in and we were going to have a long-term relationship. He already knew Robert, but still, I wasn’t ready to have the I’m dating someone talk just yet.
Me:How about a week from this Friday?
It only took him a second to answer.
Robert:It’s a date.
Chapter Sixteen
Robert
“What is this place?” I asked, looking around after the hostess had seated us at our table.
Jackson smiled at me over his menu. “It’s an adult arcade. Brendan told me about it and I thought it would be fun. If you’d rather go somewhere else, we can. We can go to the steakhouse again, if you want.”
Taking in the casual atmosphere, the noise all around us; games pinging, pool balls clacking together, classic music from the brightly colored jukebox in the corner, all I could think was how amazing this place was. And how much Jane would have hated it.
