Page 43 of Omega's Reluctant Mate
I turned into his embrace. “I’m not strong,” I whispered. “I’m terrified. I was already so close to losing him, and that was before I got to know him. He’s so much more than that abstract idea of a fated mate now, and every time I imagine him stepping onto that plane, the memory of him running comes back.”
I paused. “Did I ever tell you about the first time I saw him smile? A real smile I mean, not forced.”
“No.”
“It was on that first day, when everybody thought that he’d hopped a plane. We were talking about me being a dog walker, and he asked me if I liked dogs that much. But… he smiled as if he already knew the answer. It was beautiful, Cody. There he was, the man who’d shattered my heart only hours earlier, but that smile. I wanted to see it every day, and I wanted it to grow. Even then it was clear that he was a man who didn’t have enough joy in his life.
“I wanted to keep giving him reasons to smile, even if I was still hurting.”
“Corey…”
I took a deep breath and stood straight, wiping the last of my tears away. “Sorry for being a Debbie Downer. I just… I love him. I tried to guard my heart, especially knowing that it might never go that way for him. But I look back at all those precious moments, and I love him.”
Cody pulled me against his chest, even though I was several inches taller. “If you love him, then believe in him. He’s not the same man who ran three weeks ago.”
“Where’s Cody and what have you done with him?” I asked. “You’re not my grumpy friend.”
“It’s me. But you were here for me when I needed you, and I think you need me now.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you free after your afternoon walks? We could go to a movie or something to distract you.”
I sighed. “No. I’ve got a volunteer shift at the shelter.”
“At least the dogs will be a distraction.”
I gave him a weak smile. Even dogs wouldn’t be able to keep my mind off Nate, but they would help.
“Lunch?” he offered.
I shook my head. “Thank you, but I’m not all that hungry. I think I’ll pass.”
He nodded. “I understand. But make sure to take care of yourself, ok?”
“Yeah.”
“Call if you need anything.”
“I will.”
I could tell that Cody wasn’t convinced, but I didn’t know what to say to ease his concerns. There wasn’t anything he could do to help. The only person who could was Nate.
“See you tomorrow,” I said.
“Tomorrow.”
I headed out to my car.
Dogs… dogs would help.
Chapter 18 - Nate
The sound of the ocean filled the room as I packed. I’d thought that it would soothe me, but instead it made me want to run outside and see if Corey was still walking Tiny.
Three weeks, that was all it had taken for the sweet man to weave his way inexorably into my life. I looked forward to our morning walks, to the smiles that crossed his face as we discussed the things that made him happy.
An ache formed in my chest at the thought of time away from him. I could talk to him about anything, and he listened. He was shrewd, giving me opinions and insights that made me rethink my approach to problems.
