Page 9 of Omega's Reluctant Mate
“Papa said to try to introduce you to people,” he explained. “But I knew you wouldn’t want a party full of singles. All the couples are from here along Billionaire Row, and a few big companies are represented by them as well. Don’t tell Papa about that though. I figured you’d rather make business connections if possible.”
I smiled. As different as we were, Zaya understood me in his own way.
“I’ll let you get settled,” he said. “Cadence should be home soon, he had to fly to Portland this morning for a meeting with a new district manager.”
“Ok.”
“And Nate?”
“Yeah?”
“I know you’re not happy about this, but I do agree with Papa that you needed a break. Try to make the most of it, ok?”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Is everybody against me?”
He shook his head. “Hopefully by this time next week you’ll see how silly a question that is.”
Zaya then surprised me by walking over and giving me a hug. “We’re on the beach. Enjoy life for a change. There’s a big world outside your office.”
I was still trying to decide how to respond as he walked away towards the kitchen, leaving me alone.
∞∞∞
A half-empty tumbler of whiskey sat on an end table beside me, abandoned when I realized that I genuinely liked the people Zaya had invited.
I could already tell that Wes and Jordan would be important contacts, especially as they continued to expand their software offerings. Their mates, Cody and Theo, were both down-to-earth omegas who seemed nice.
I looked up from a conversation with Kent and Christian when a cell phone rang, and quickly spotted Theo with it to his ear.
“Corey is going to be a bit late,” he announced. “His volunteer shift at the shelter ended up running a bit long.”
Zaya laughed. “Why am I not surprised?”
“Pups over people,” Theo replied with a chuckle.
“And that’s why we love him,” Wes interjected. “I think even Tiny prefers him to me.”
“Hmm?” I asked.
Christian smiled and took a sip of whiskey. “Cody, Theo and Corey come as a set. Corey works as a dog-walker, but also volunteers at the shelter. He was a regular sight along Billionaire Row even before Cody and Theo moved up because he’s got enough of a reputation that people request him to walk their dogs when they come into town. Tiny is Wes’s Great Dane.”
I found myself smiling. I could appreciate a man who was able to make a living doing what he was passionate about.
“I need a refill,” Beau announced, standing from where he’d been at Kent’s side. “Who wants what?”
I blinked and looked at Christian for an explanation.
Christian smiled. “Beau’s a bartender. He’s cut down on hours since becoming a papa, but he loves doing it.”
“And he makes the best drinks,” Gabe added. “Hands-down, the best bartender in town.”
“Stop talking and start ordering,” Beau called out.
I looked at my whiskey again. “Surprise me.”
“Good choice,” Beau declared. “What else?”
I smiled as the orders ranged from non-alcoholic for both Gabe and Theo, to mixed drinks I’d never heard of.
