Page 10 of Neighbors' Omega
“Coming!” Sharon sing-songed, casting a judging glance at both mine and Ryan’s middles before shuffling off.
“Sorry,” Aunt Janice murmured as she walked over. “She promised she’d be on her best behavior.”
“She probably thinks she is,” Ryan sighed.
“Yeah,” his mama groaned. “Come on in. Anna is in the living room.”
“Do I need to help with anything?” Ryan asked.
Janice laughed. “I’ve got it all handled, honey. I was just saving you two from Sharon.”
He echoed the laugh. “Thanks Mama.”
We rounded into the living room to see a bustling party filled with family and Anna’s friends.
“Owen!” Ryan exclaimed. “What are you doing here? I thought alpha men weren’t supposed to come to baby showers.”
Our shy cousin blushed and rubbed the side of his neck. “I didn’t feel like going to the diaper party.”
“I said he could be here if he helped carry things to the car,” Anna laughed.
“Fine by me,” Ryan quipped as he strode over and plopped himself on Owen’s lap.
Owen let out an undignified ‘oof,’ but wrapped one arm around Ryan’s middle to steady him.
“You do know that it’s weird for you to do that, right?” I asked.
Ryan laughed. “He’s comfy.”
“It’s ok,” Owen replied. “I’m used to it.”
I shook my head and found a spot on the floor to sit. Ryan and Owen had been close their entire lives, and we’d all gotten used to how they acted with each other.
We were in the middle of a game—guessing which chocolate bars had been melted to look like poop—when my phone started ringing. I was tempted to ignore it, until I saw Derrick’s name on the screen.
“This is Jace,” I answered, stepping out of the living room.
“Hey Jace,” Derrick said. “I know you said you were busy this afternoon, but do you have time later, or possibly tomorrow?”
I bit my lip. “The party is supposed to end at five. Isn’t that the end of your day?”
“I can meet this evening. The situation is going to be fast-moving, so I want to get you in to see this house.”
“Your office as soon as I can get there?”
“Actually, I’m going to text you my home address. I’ll let Shane know you’re coming, just in case you beat me.”
“Um… ok…”
“Great! I know it’s sudden, but this is the house you’re looking for, I promise.”
“I’ll see you this evening,” I replied, not quite as excited as his tone suggested I should be.
Derrick laughed. “This evening.”
I ended the call and slipped my phone back into my pocket.
“I hope you’re not wearing that to your date.”
