Page 136 of Dream Mates
A perfect evening. My phone beeped.
Riley
If the record’s fake, I’ll eat a dinosaur dick.
Oh. Well, it would be quite the coincidence for Grace’s father to be one of the male omegas my father resettled.
Me
Thank you. What’s his designation?
Riley
Omega. Tons of kids. Most look like Grace and have weird names. What’s up? Is that dude really this world’s Grace?
Me
Probably not. Just being cautious. Again, thank you.
Riley
You should have Evan look him up in the Center database.
Oh, I probably should. I sent Evan a text.
“Is everything okay?” Grace asked, coming out and slipping onto my lap, which always felt so deliciously right. She was only wearing one ofmybutton-downs and tights. Her eyes rested on mine, as they got that look in them they often held when I wore my glasses. I wasn’t sure why she thought they were sexy.
But I’d take it.
“Everything's fine. I just had a theory dashed.” I shrugged.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She leaned up and gave me a kiss. “Which one?”
“I was curious if Creed’s father was one of the omegas that my father resettled. That perhaps he came from your world and that’s why you were permitted to stay.” I shrugged. “But it probably isn’t.”
Grace frowned. “I can’t even wrap my head around that theory.”
“It is an uncanny resemblance–you and Creed,” I pointed out, hoping my curiosity didn’t hurt her fragile heart.
“True. But genetics are weird. Also, designations aren’t illegal where I am. They simply don’t exist. If for some reason my bio-dad had been illegal and was sent here, that would mean there would have been a possibility that my mom might have known what I was. After spending an evening with a gamma that escaped a Fundie colony after theybeat the omega out of her, as she so eloquently put it, I’d rather think my mom was just a regular asshole and not the extra special variety.” Grace leaned her head on my chest. “Not that I still understand how I could be an omega in a world where they don’t exist.”
“True. Pardon me for prying. I was just curious.” I planted a kiss on her head.
She looked up at me. “No worries. At another point in my life, I’d probably be curious and full of theories, too. Creed’s nice, and I hope he gets the job. But I don’t know if I’d ever want to meet his parents or all that. Spending time thinking about what my life would have looked like had I grown up in another world probably isn’t very healthy.”
“Absolutely. How are Wes and Evan? Are you doing all right? If you miss them too terribly, we can head back early,” I offered.
Tomorrow was the last official day of the conference. We were planning on spending the day at the beach Friday, then heading back on Saturday. While I was thoroughly enjoying having her all to myself, I understood if it was too ambitious to expect her to be away from her mates for so long.
After all, while I cared deeply about her, she wasn’t my mate yet.
“They’re fine, and I do miss them, but not enough to want to go back early.” She snuggled deeper into my arms, relief sluicing over me.
“I confess, it’s nice having you to myself. But if you need–”
“You’re enough. Promise.” Her lips closed over mine, soft, sweet, and tasting faintly of chocolate.
Her words were everything I never knew I needed to hear.
