Page 24 of Admiring His Omega
“Meowr,” Truffle rumbled loudly.
Betty snuffled from the back, already asleep.
“Poor little piglet,” he cooed, picking her up.
“Need help?”
Mal let out a squeal that was absolutely, completely manly. “Bianca, don’t sneak up on me like that.” He turned to her.“What’s wrong?” he asked in a whisper, taken about to see her crying.
“Paula is so stupid.” Bianca picked up Truffle, lip trembling. “I hate her.”
“Come inside, sweetness. Tell me what happened.” Mal unlocked his door and carried Betty to the pet bed. “Are you hungry? How about some alfredo?”
“I love alfredo,” she said, settling on the sofa with Truffle.
Mal washed his hands, then pulled out the ingredients. “I made the fettuccine last week and the heavy cream is from Farm Fresh. You know it’s gonna be good.”
“So modest,” Bianca laughed and wiped her eyes.
“Now, start at the beginning. Why is Paula stupid?”
Bianca squeezed her eyes shut. “She’s so judgmental. I’m an adult and know what I’m doing. She has no right to tell me that I’m –” She stopped mid-sentence. “Anyway, she makes me feel likeI’mthe stupid one.” She shook her head and opened her eyes. “I don’t have to listen to her shit. Idoknow what I’m doing.”
Mal winced, unsure how to comfort her. “Well, you aren’t an adult, you’re only sixteen, but you do have a good head on your shoulders. I would trust you with Truffle and Betty, and that means something.”
“I’m basically an adult,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I have a job and paid for the Vespa.”
“There’s a lot more to being an adult than having a part-time job and a vehicle.” Mal waved his cheese grater at her. “That’s a whole other topic, though. What did Paula do?”
Bianca stared at him for a moment. “You’ll tell Mom anything I say.”
“Yes, I will.” He nodded and vigorously grated his dwindling block of parmesan cheese.
Bianca sighed. “I am seeing someone.”
“Ha!” Mal gave her a smug look. “We knew it. Who are they? What do they look like? What’s their family like?”
“I’m not saying.” She gave him a firm look. “You and Mom wouldn’t understand. Paula doesn’t. She said it’s wrong, but love is never wrong.”
Mal gave her a sympathetic look. Paula and her dad had seemed nice, but a lot of bigots seemed nice before they found out you weren’t straight.
“Why do you think your mom and I wouldn’t understand? We aren’t exactly a conservative family.”
“You just won’t.” Bianca huffed and let Truffle leave her ever tightening embrace. “I shouldn’t have told Paula.”
“It’s hard to lose a friend, especially over something like this.” Mal set a saucepan on the stove and began to slowly cook the butter and chopped garlic. “Your mom and I will love you, no matter what. Even if for some reason we don’t approve of who you’re seeing. Though, seriously, I don’t expect that to happen.”
Bianca looked particularly stubborn as she grabbed Truffle again. “I’m not telling you who it is.”
“When you’re ready, I’m here.” Mal added seasoning to the pot as the butter and garlic sizzled. “You’re the daughter of my heart and I will never not love you.”
She smiled and hugged Truffle. “Thank you, Mal.”
Chapter 8
Afew weeks later, Cain sat in his office and rewatched Mal’s latest cooking show for the seventh time. He liked the longer formats better, so he watched the full videos from Mal’s website instead of the shorter ones posted to social media.
When cooking, simple doesn’t always mean easy, Mal said on the screen.It takes more time, which not everyone can afford to give. Be kind to yourself and don’t feel guilty if you have to cheat a bit.He wore a plain, black t-shirt and a bright, floral-patterned chef headwrap. To Cain, he was the most beautiful person in the world, and Cain wanted to be there with him.
