Page 16 of The Surrogate Omega, Part One

“What!” I ask, alarmed.

Cam shrugs like it’s no big deal. “There was just an argument between my roommates and me. We’ll get it settled and I’ll be back there in no time.”

Cooper rolls his eyes in a way that says he doesn’t agree, but he doesn’t say anything. I decide I don’t actually want to know.

Once everyone is settled and the food is cooked, we all sit down to a surprisingly delicious breakfast. I’m more of a shake or coffee and protein bar type of guy most mornings, but sometimes it’s nice to have a complete breakfast. Eventually Miri wakes up, and I get to spend some time playing with my niece before I have to leave to meet Avery and Zoe. I’m anxious about the whole thing. I still can’t believe how much I want them to say yes, but I tell myself I won’t be disappointed if they say no or want to wait. Either way, it’s finally time to get an answer and move on from all the uncertainty.

NINE

EVANDER

It’s been nearly a month, and not once has Lake shown up at the coffee shop. Now, I know, I know, I sound crazy. But no, I’m not still waiting for him, not really. I’m here waiting for Lucy to end her shift. And the fact that I always make plans to meet her here on Saturday mornings and usually hang out her entire shift under the pretense of working? Well, that means nothing.

Lucy and I discovered pretty quickly we’re not compatible. We’re both too dominant in bed. I briefly considered bringing Logan into the mix, but I can’t actually picture him being submissive at all, so I dropped it. Despite this, Lucy and I have become good friends over the last month. It’s kind of nice. The only people I ever talk to are my dad, Logan, and my coworkers occasionally. With Logan’s insane and unpredictable hours, it’s nice getting close to someone I can always rely on to be available when they say they will be.

I fessed up about a week ago why I had been asking about Lake. At first, Lu was a little pissed at me, but she got over it quickly once I explained the story. Lucy has no family to speak of, so I invited her to Sunday night dinner at Dad’s the week before I told her the truth. She fell in love with the man immediately and got on board with the “meet Lake Simmons” plan. She even agreed to text me if he happens to come in on one of her other shifts. Now the guy just has to show up.

I’m starting to wonder if maybe he found another coffee shop or moved. I’m reluctant to bring Logan back into it. I’m pretty sure it’s not completely legal looking for the guy like this, and I don’t want to cause any issues. But I’m not sure what else to do.

I’m staring at the new manuscript I’m supposed to be editing but completely spacing on when the bell above the front door of the shop rings. It’s habit to look up, and I have to double take when I see the lanky man with auburn hair, brushed back to stay out of his eyes, walk into the shop. He’s with two other people, which I know is a change in routine, but I barely notice them. All I can focus on is the man who’s now walking to the counter, gesturing to the menu as he speaks to his companions in a low voice I can’t quite hear. I’m glad I’m sitting in a booth that faces both the counter and the door so I can get a clear look at his face, though.

“Lake!” Lucy exclaims loudly while giving me a meaningful look. I dip my head once in acknowledgement, letting her know I already realize it’s him. “We’ve missed you.”

The man looks up from the menu to where Lucy is practically hanging over the counter to speak to him. He smiles, but it’s kind of awkward, like he doesn’t know what to do with the attention. His shoulders are stiff, and I have this urge to go over there and massage them to help him relax, which is fucking crazy. Great, I’ve had eyes on this guy for less than a minute and I’m already certifiable.

“I’ve missed this place too,” Lake responds, and I can’t help but notice he refers to the place, not the people. He has a nice voice though. It’s not very deep, but it’s soothing. “Sorry, I had a last-minute business trip and just returned.”

A trip that lasted an entire month? I suppose that’s possible. Is that normal for an IT guy? Honestly, I have no idea.

“Oh, well, I’m glad you’re back.” Lucy beams, and I know it’s genuine. She’s just one of those sunshiney people who is always like that. It’d be annoying if I wasn’t becoming so fond of her. “Do you want your usual?”

This time Lake’s smile seems genuine. “Yes, please.” He glances over at his two companions. “What can I get you guys?”

The woman smiles up at him. She’s pretty, with long braids pulled up in a ponytail, and her light brown complexion is perfectly smooth. She’s about three inches shorter than Lake and has a killer body. She’s wearing a long-sleeve orange maxi dress.

“I’ll take a vanilla latte, iced, please,” the woman tells Lucy. Lu punches the order into the register and looks at the other guy. He’s holding the girl’s hand and seems distracted. They are clearly a couple, but he seems the exact opposite of her in every way. He’s the tallest of the bunch and slightly bulkier than Lake, though not by much. His light-brown hair is perfectly styled, and he’s wearing black pants with a black Henley.

“Just a regular coffee, cream, no sugar, please.”

As Lucy gets their orders together, Lake turns and gestures toward a booth, one that’s directly across from me. It’s the first time I get to see his face, and holy fuck, the cameras did not do him justice. The man is gorgeous and so fucking perfect. Damn, all I want to do is mess him up. Destroy that perfection. My dick agrees as it makes an effort to come to life in my jeans, and I’m regretting wearing such tight pants.

I take a sip of my coffee that I now get for free (thanks, Lucy) just to give myself time to get myself together. I’m getting way ahead of myself. All I want to do is introduce myself to the guy, ask him to meet my dad or at least talk to him, and then get out of the guy’s life.

But that doesn’t stop me from watching him with his friends. I’m pretty sure that’s all they are to him. While the woman seems fairly affectionate, I think that just might be in her nature. Lake sits on the opposite side of the booth from them and seems to be acting somewhat formally, like he doesn’t know what to expect. Meanwhile, the other two are obviously a couple with how the man has still not let go of the woman’s hand.

Luckily, Lake sits facing me so I can try to not so obviously watch him over my computer screen. I know, I’m a fucking psycho. But I’ve come this far, and I just can’t stop myself. Like, at all.

Lake’s one of those guys who will always have a baby face, and if it wasn’t for the well-groomed dark-red beard, he’d probably still look like a teenager. I wonder if that’s why he always keeps the facial hair. Or maybe it’s so he and his brother don’t look identical anymore. Or maybe he just likes it, who knows? Either way, it does nothing to hide his porcelain skin or his high cheekbones. Fuck. I shift slightly, trying to unobtrusively adjust my jeans.

Lucy brings their drinks over, and Lake smiles at her with genuine warmth in his eyes. I’m a little too far away to make out the exact color, but they’re still beautiful, and Gods, what am I doing?

As Lucy walks away, she eyes me meaningfully, and I give her a little nod in acknowledgement. As much as I’m itching to speak to Lake, I’m not going to interrupt his time with his friends.

The first minute or two, the conversation is friendly. They ask him what time he got back into town, and the female tells Lake she’s glad he came back safe. Came back safe? The more I learn about Lake, the more questions I have.Not important, Ev. You’re not gonna get in a personal relationship with this guy. Stop worrying about the details that don’t fit.

After a minute or so, the conversation changes direction. I try not to listen, I really do, but they’re not exactly whispering. Ok, maybe I’m an asshole, but I also know I’m not the only one listening. Lucy and her coworker are practically hanging over the counter, not even hiding their interest. Since this is the first time Lake ever came in with anyone else, everyone is curious.

“So, since you reached out to me, I guess you made a decision, or at least have some questions?” Lake asks, his voice serious.

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