Page 26 of A Beary Nice View
“He’s my neighbor but during my vacation we officially met and we’ve grown close really quickly. His name is Dell and he’s wonderful, Oscar. He’s so fucking handsome but he’s more than just a beautiful face, he’s also so brilliant. He used to be a waiter and he was amazing at taking care of his tables and talking to customers. Now he’s an aspiring voice actor and I’ve listened to his work, Oscar. It’samazing.” Oscar is watching me with asmile on his face. I narrow my eyes. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You’re inlove.”
“So what if I am!”
“Oh my gods, I didn’t think you’d admit it so easily!”
I shake my head at my friend. “I’m old! I’m not gonna sit here and pretend or play games. I love him and that’s that.”
“Huh,” Oscar says, continuing to stare at me. “Dell sounds amazing and you sound smitten as fuck.”
“I really, really am,” I say with a smile. I’ve known people in the past who’ve been embarrassed by their romantic feelings, but I feel the complete opposite. I’m thoroughly enjoying telling people about Dell. Everyone should know how wonderful he is. I love people knowing that we’re together. “We’ve only known each other two weeks but you know how it goes. Shifters just love differently than humans. When we know, we know.”
“Why hold back when you’re found the one destined for you,” Oscar says in agreement. “I’m really happy for you, Alaric.”
“Thanks, man.”
As I finish my lunch, I find a note at the bottom. I grin from ear to ear as I read over Dell’s words, telling me that he misses me, hopes I have a great day back at work, and that he’ll be waiting for me when I return. Oscar tries to steal the note but I keep it in my pocket. This is just for me.
The rest of the day goes by quickly and before I know it, everything that needs to get done is done. My chest flutters with excitement as I drive back to my house, knowing that Dell will be there waiting for me. I can’t wait to tell him all about this new project. I can’t wait to hear about all of the auditions he’s found.
This is what it’s like to have a mate. I know it’s too soon to ask him, but I know without a doubt that that’s where the two of us are heading. He’s going to be my mate. I’m going to leave mymark on his shoulder and mark him as mine. It’s only a matter of time. I know it like I know the color of my eyes; Dell is mine.
As I walk in through the door of my house, the air is filled with the smell of cooking food. Dell’s shoes are by the door. I can see that he ran to the store and for some reason, that fills my body with warmth. I can’t stop smiling. Giving him a spare key was one of the best ideas I’ve had in a while. He can come and go as he pleases. He can make this place his own.
There’s nothing I want more than for Dell to see this place as his home.
“Oh honey! I’m home!”
“I’m in the kitchen!”
I walk into the kitchen and my stomach swoops. Dell is bent over, taking something out of the oven. Jesus Christ, his ass looks good in those jeans. He sets the pan onto the stovetop before pulling out a second pan that’s filled with garlic bread. Everything smells so fucking delicious and my mouth immediately begins to water.
After setting everything down and turning the oven off, Dell turns to me, a bright smile on his face. He tosses the oven mitts off and runs into my arms. I wrap him in my arms, pulling him up off his feet. I twirl him in the air and we’re both left giggling breathlessly.
“Hi,” I finally say, setting him down and kissing him.
Dell hums happily. “Welcome home, Alaric.”
“Are we celebrating something or are you just happy to see me?”
I said it as a joke but now Dell is giving me a look that says he really is celebrating something. He shakes his head. “I’ll tell you in a second. Why don’t you go clean up and I’ll tell you everything over dinner?”
“Whatever you’d like, baby,” I say, giving him one last peck before getting myself up to my bedroom. I shower in recordtime, wanting to be with Dell again. I feel like a love sick puppy instead of an alpha bear, but I don’t mind even a little bit. Dell is worth being a little lovesick over.
Once I’m showering and in clean clothes, I make my way back to the kitchen where the table is already set. I spot a box on the counter from the local bakery. I’m so tempted to take a peek at what that might be but I hold myself back, not wanting to ruin Dell’s surprise.
“This smells amazing,” I say as I sit down at the table. “Thank you for cooking.”
“You’re welcome. I might not be able to do this all the time, but working from home has its perks.” Dell’s eyes widen, like he only just realized what he just said.
My heart leaps up into my throat but now that it’s out in the open, I jump on the opportunity. “This could be your home,” I say softly. “If you’d like.”
Dell bites his bottom lip. “You don’t think that’s wildly too soon?”
“No,” I say honestly. “I like having you here. Whenever you have to go back over to your apartment, I instantly miss you.”
“I feel the same way.” Dell sits down across from me. There’s food on each of our plates with a glass of water for each of us. He stares at his food for a moment before finally looking up at me. “My lease is up in six months. But maybe I can start moving things in now. You know, that’ll make the whole moving process so much easier, right?”
