Page 19 of Omega's Secret Baby
“Is that so?”
I nodded.
“Would you prefer to discuss it with me?”
I opened my eyes and studied him for several minutes before I shook my head. “I appreciate the offer, but… it’s still too raw.”
“Understood.” Owen stood. “However, do keep in mind that the offer is open. We may not have worked for you long, but we are concerned. You’re a good man and it’s obvious that you’re hurting.”
I managed a weak smile. “Thanks.”
He started walking out, then paused by the door. “Why not schedule a trip to Harris Cove? Maybe you don’t want to talk to your friend about whatever happened, but a social outing is just what you need.”
I shook my head. “Thanks, but… for now at least… I think I need to stay out of Harris Cove.”
He sighed. “If that’s really what you think is best.” Then he walked out of sight.
I leaned back in my chair and stared up at the ceiling. Of course it wasn’t for the best. But if I went to Harris Cove I couldn’t ensure that I wouldn’t try to find Theo. I needed him in my arms. So the more space between us the better.
I didn’t know why he’d so suddenly cut me out of his life. But I knew better than to push the boundaries any more than I was already doing. Texting and calling from a blocked number was one thing. He never knew I was still trying to reach him. Anything more would be violating his wishes.
No matter how much it hurt, this was how it had to be.
∞∞∞
“Hey Mack,” I said as I walked into the shared working space and spotted the software engineer working at one of the stations.
He looked up at me, seemed on the verge of saying something, then frowned. “You feelin’ ok Jordan?”
“Huh?”
He shook his head. “Sorry man, but it just seems that you’ve lost some weight. You’ve got circles under your eyes too.”
I growled under my breath. “Do I really look that bad?”
“I think the only time I’ve seen you looking worse was that time you came in and didn’t want to admit that you had the stomach flu.”
“Ouch,” I winced. “That’s a low blow.”
“Just callin’ it like I see it. So what brought you in today?”
“Thought I’d get out of my condo for a few hours.”
“Makes sense. It’s easy to feel cooped up after a while.”
“You can say that again.” I took a seat across from him. “How are you handling the change?”
He shrugged. “Mostly ok. Meetings are a bit of a jugglin’ act now with half my team in other time zones, but we’re handlin’ it so far.”
“That’s good to hear.”
He nodded. “The productivity boost is worth it. Except for meetings and any collaborative elements, I trust everybody to manage their own time. It’s allowed everybody to work when it’s best for them. The team’s happier, and that makes all our lives easier.”
“Good.”
Mack quieted and shook his head. “I hate to bring it up again. But are you ok man? You really look like hell.”
I sighed, then remembered what Owen had said about talking to somebody.
