Page 15 of Hansen

Loud laughter made him jump.He turned toward the back door on instinct, then looked away again instantly when he realized he could see Davey and Orion through the small window in the door.They weren’t doing anything they shouldn’t be doing at work, but it still felt like Evan was invading their personal space.

From what Evan had seen, Davey had to be sitting on one of the counters.Orion was pressed against him, and Davey’s arms were around Orion’s neck.

They were happy.They looked like they belonged together, and they did.

Could Evan and Hansen have that?They were mates, too, but Evan felt broken.He wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to give Hansen what he deserved.He didn’t think that would be enough to send Hansen running, but just because they were mates didn’t mean the man had to stay.

Hansen would.He and Evan had been talking on the phone and texting, and Evan felt that he was starting to know his mate.Everything Hansen did and said was centered around Evan.He wanted Evan to be happy and feel safe, so much so that sometimes, it was overwhelming.Hansen didn’t hover as badly as Davey, but Evan was sure that the instinct to do it was there.Evan hadn’t pulled back because he knew that wasn’t what Hansen wanted.He really was the perfect man for Evan, but Evan didn’t know what to do with that.

More laughter from the kitchen made him roll his eyes.These two needed to get a room before they started fucking in between the pastries.

He put down his cleaning supplies and went to knock on the door.He didn’t wait to push it open, grinning when he caught Davey and Orion still kissing.Davey’s eyes widened, and he scrambled off the counter.

Sometimes, Evan wished he could read his best friend’s mind because he was ridiculous.“Why don’t you two go home early?”he suggested.

Davey frowned.“I don’t think Orion wants to close the shop just yet.”

“Who said anything about closing the shop?I’ll stay until close.”

“You don’t need to do that,” Orion said.

Great, he was frowning, too.This wasn’t what Evan had been going for.“I know I don’t need to do it.I’m offering.You two haven’t had time alone since I arrived in town, so you should take advantage of the empty house.”

Orion’s cheeks flushed.“There’s no need for you to do that.”

“Maybe not, but Iwantto do it.Besides, don’t you want to give me more responsibilities?I need to show you that hiring me was a good idea.”

“I already know it was.”Orion glanced at Davey.“But we could go home.”

“Please do.No one wants to watch you make out over the croissants.”

Davey laughed and moved closer to Evan.Once, he would’ve pulled him into his arms.Now, he patted Evan’s shoulder as if he was afraid Evan would break if he tried anything more intense.“Fine.We’ll go home, but you have to promise that you’ll call if you need anything.”

“Yes, Mom.I promise.”Evan hoped he wouldn’t need to.He had to start standing on his own two feet and stop letting people protect him.That included Davey, but Evan would have a fight on his hands if he pushed his best friend right now.

“I’ll be fine,” he promised.

He hoped he wasn’t lying.

* * * *

HANSEN WAS HAPPY.IThad been a long time since he’d felt like this.Hell, there’d been a time when he hadn’t thought he could ever be happy again, right after he’d escaped from the lab he’d been locked in.His entire life had changed.Hehad changed.He’d tried so hard to go back to his old life, but it had been impossible because he wasn’t the same person as he’d been when he was taken.When he’d finally realized that, he’d thought that his life was over.

That was when he’d found the other mutants.Working with Moore and the others had given him a new purpose, and, slowly, it had given him his new life.Evan felt like the last piece of the puzzle, and Hansen couldn’t wait to see what their life would be like once Evan managed to settle down.He didn’t care how long it took.He just cared that he had everything he could want.

He’d finally met his mate.It felt incredible and like it couldn’t be true, but it was.He wouldn’t have to hound Olga so she could tell him when it would happen because it had.

He reached the bakery and pushed the door open, already smiling because he knew he’d find Evan behind the counter.He hadn’t been surprised when Evan had started working with Orion.He was starting to get to know his mate, and he understood that Evan needed to get out of the house.Staying there all day, every day, would drive anyone nuts, but especially someone who was trying to forget bad memories.It was better for Evan to have something to do and people to talk to, and the bakery was perfect for that.

Evan was stacking the boxes he and Orion used to pack pastries, but he stopped when he heard the door.He turned, and when his first reaction was to smile, Hansen felt like his heart might be about to beat out of his chest.

“We didn’t make plans, did we?”Evan asked.

“We’ve never made plans, so no.”

“Are you saying that I’m a bad mate because I haven’t taken you out yet?”

“I wouldn’t saybad.”

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