Page 14 of A Dragon's Miracle (Fires of Fate)
Ryan
I'd donea lot of difficult things in life, but rejecting Finn ranked high among the hardest. It had been a few weeks, but I still thought about that kiss every damn day. About how my heart had gone into overdrive the moment his lips touched mine and I’d gotten carried away and kissed him back, because how could I not? I’d gotten a taste of heaven that day before reality crashed down on me and sent me to hell. Ihatedthat I had to pull back. It wasn’tfair.But few things in life were.
Some days I toyed with the thought of telling Finn the truth about all the ways I'd lied to him, only because there was no way he'd still want me if I did. There was no reason both of us had to suffer, really.
But maybe he was already getting over me. We still ran into each other in town every now and then, but even though Finn had suggested we stay friends, we hadn't hung out since that day in the forest.
I still kind of hoped to see him every time the embassy made me run downtown to stock up on things--which was quite often, actually. As the only omega around, I was the designated errand boy.
Today, they wanted me to get coffee. A simple job for a simple omega. I didn't mind too much, though. We'd had a lot of miserable days that week, but now the sun was shining and visiting the town sounded much better than sitting in a stuffy office. Even ignoring my secret wish that I might see the man I'd rejected.
I didn't run into Finn. But just outside the grocery store, I spotted someone else I knew. Another human. Zed’s mate.
“Hi, Roger,” I greeted him as I approached the store.
He turned to me with a smile, carrying his baby daughter in his arms. “Hey, Ryan. Look, Allory, it's the man responsible for Papa's frustration.” The little girl turned her dark eyes on me for only a second before deciding that her daddy was more interesting after all.
“What do you mean by that?” I asked Roger. I wasn't aware that I'd caused Zed any grief.
Roger shrugged. “The band's stuck, because one of them's a lovesick little puppy.”
Oh. My stomach turned into knots. “I didn't...”
“Don't worry. I know you didn't mean for that to happen. I don't want to accuse you of anything... I just don't get it, I guess? I could have sworn you were into him.”
“I...” My face turned slightly red. Was it that obvious? “I already have a boyfriend.”
Roger shot me a skeptical look. “You mean the one you never talk about?”
“What's it to you?” I asked, shoving my hands in my pockets. Who I dated was nobody's business but my own.
Roger's eyebrows shot up and I felt a bit bad that I'd snapped at him. “I'm just curious, man. And maybe a little bit worried about my friends. I know what it's like to avoid a relationship because you think you're somehow not worth it or it's never going to work out anyway, so I just wanted to let you know you can tell me if you're scared.”
“Scared?”
“Yeah, of ditching your boyfriend and giving Finn a shot.”
If only it was that simple... “It's not like that, but thanks anyway.”
“Whatever, man. Also, just a warning, but Finn's mom is throwing a dinner party for all of us. I think he's working up the nerve to invite you, so it'd be really cool if you could not shoot him down when he does.”
“Oh... okay.”
“Awesome. I'll be seeing you around.” He took his daughters tiny hand and made her wave at me. “Bye bye, Ryan.”
I looked after the two of them for a few seconds before heading into the grocery store. Was Finn really nervous about inviting me to dinner?
