Page 18 of Knight With Benefits

Leaning away from him, I shook my head.

“Nope. Not a chance. Those nachos are calling my name.”

David arrived with a plate piled high, saving me from having to give the real reason. The look on Carl’s face said he knew, but I wasn’t going to confirm it by arguing more.

“Go, have fun. I’ll see you Tuesday, unless you keep stalking me and I see you sooner.”

I shoved a chip dripping nacho cheese into my mouth as he laughed, but I could have sworn his cheeks went pink above his beard.

“Okay. But it’s not stalking if you just happen to be where I’m already going.”

Arching a brow, all I could do was hum around my mouthful. The other alpha and his mate gave me curious looks, but they turned away when Carl stood and started walking toward the door. The others with their group had already headed outside, and the bar grew quieter once the door shut behind them.

Something inside me deflated, as if I was disappointed that Carl had left, but I ignored that part and kept eating, even after my stomach complained it was too much. Once my plate was empty though, I had no excuse to linger, and the Friday night crowd was steadily growing. That was my cue to leave.

“Thanks, David.”

He already had my card on file since I’d become a regular, so I gave him a wave while he was pulling down a bottle for a pair of alphas who were paying a little too much attention to me, and made my way out the door. Another group of people were walking across the parking lot, and I dodged into the shadows, trying to stay out of sight as I made my way toward the street that led to my house.

I sighed as dark silence greeted me when I opened the door. As much as I had wanted to make a change, after caring for others for more than two decades, it was still strange to come home to an empty house instead of noise and people who needed me. My omega side didn’t like it, but I’d learned to ignore the helpless feeling by staying busy, and the first thing on the list was a shower.

Maybe it would relax me enough to sleep, but if not, I had a never-ending list of things that needed done.

***

The weekend passed much the same as the previous month, with me working on the café by day, and the duplex at night. I avoided The Hangout, although I couldn’t have said why. A part of me wanted to see Carl, and perhaps that was the reason. Despite the short time we’d spent together, my omega side was already trying to latch onto him, and finding a new alpha wasn’t part of the plan.

My younger son called Sunday night to let me know how his first couple weeks at college had gone. Logan had always been the quieter of my two boys, focused on his schoolwork and getting ahead. Knowing he was leaving for college had been one of the things that had prompted me to make my own move, although I felt guilty since it meant Adam had been left alone. Still, my oldest had made his choices, and watching him follow in his father’s footsteps made my heart ache in a way that left me feeling just as broken as when Anthony had claimed me. I’d finally responded to his messages, telling him I was still alive and doing fine, but hadn’t given any of the details he’d wanted.

Monday was grocery day, and since part of my deal with Carl meant feeding him lunch, I had to get more than bread and peanut butter. I was oddly excited about providing for him, but I brushed it off as just fulfilling my instincts. Even if it was only one meal a day, I was taking care of someone again.

Eyeing the cart overflowing with grocery bags, I sighed when I realized there was no way I could drag it all on the bus with me. I’d gotten carried away and forgot my circumstances, leaving me with no choice but to pay for a ride.

I pulled my reading glasses from my shirt pocket and woke my phone. The app was thankfully easy to navigate, and I was surprised by the option to choose the designation of the driver. It was hard to believe an alpha would work such a job, but it made sense to want one if you had heavy bags or something you needed carried. Driving strangers around seemed dangerous for an omega, mated or not, and I hesitated over the option, wondering if their alpha would be riding along with them.

I ended up picking a beta and took a seat on the bench outside the store to wait, chewing my lip as I went over my list to be sure I hadn’t forgotten anything. I’d written out a menu for the week and listed the ingredients I’d needed to buy, and I’d spent more than three times my usual amount since I hadn’t even had basic seasonings yet, but worry that I’d messed up still gnawed at me.

What if he didn’t like what I made?

What if I didn’t make enough?

I’d raised two alphas in addition to my mate, so I knew how much they could eat, but Carl was even larger than a human alpha. Shifters had a higher metabolism too, one of the reasons they healed faster than humans, so I’d guessed he’d eat more than Anthony, or my boys.

I was halfway standing to go back inside for more food when my phone dinged, alerting me to the arrival of my ride. I hadn’t even noticed the white sedan that had pulled up to the curb in front of me, and I silently admonished myself for not paying more attention to my surroundings. I made sure the marks on my neck were visible whenever I went out, despite my hatred of them, and used scent neutralizing soaps, but anyone who got close enough would know my scent wasn’t right for a mated omega, and I needed to be more aware. Penford was claimed to be a safe place for omegas, but I knew better.

The driver got out and helped me load my groceries before I climbed into the backseat for the short ride home. Despite the hiccup, and the worries trying to push through, I was still excited to get home and spend the day prepping.

The happy warmth in my chest was because I liked taking care of others.

It had nothing to do with cooking for one, specific alpha.

Chapter Eight

Carl

I’d been disappointed when Gwyn hadn’t come to The Hangout Saturday night, and then again Sunday. I’d spent the whole day Monday pacing Sebastian’s shop while I covered for him, unable to sit still with my bear’s anxiety coursing through me.

What if something had happened?

---