Page 20 of Mistletoe Omega
He beamed. “Okay. Then that’s what I’ll make for dinner.”
I climbed down from the stool, and closed the pantry door. I tucked the stool away and faced Sam. “Would you like any help cooking?”
He pursed his lips. “Huh, I hadn’t thought about it.”
“I used to be pretty handy in the kitchen. Ethan hated to cook.” I started grabbing all the loose plastic bags and stuffed them into the little holder near the trash can.
“Well, if you want, you can mash the potatoes. I find that tedious.”
“Happily. Just let me know when you need me.” I grabbed a soda from the fridge. Popping it open, I drank half of it, and set the can on the counter. “Do you work all weekend?”
He dropped his gaze. “Um… maybe. I volunteered for more shifts. Not sure if Ralph will schedule me though. He has his favorites and I’m not one of them.”
“I’m sure he’ll throw some shifts your way.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure. He doesn’t seem to like me.”
“He hired you, didn’t he?”
He shrugged. “Yeah, but he doesn’t talk to me like he does the others.”
“Do you try to talk to him?”
Giving me a sheepish look he said, “No. I mostly stay out of his way.”
I chuckled. “Try engaging with him. He’s a good guy.”
“If you say so.”
I sipped my soda. “You get out of things what you put in, kid. He probably thinks you don’t like him either.”
He flicked his uncertain gaze to mine. “I doubt it’s that easy.”
“Things often are.”
“Not that I’ve noticed,” he muttered, flipping through his phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking for recipes. I found one for the meat loaf, but I want a good one for the potatoes too.”
I studied him as he frowned at his phone, taking in his wind-blown hair, and dark lashes. There was something about him that tugged at me. My heart ached a little when I watched him. I wanted to protect him and watch over him. I knew it was probably just the alpha in me responding to an omega in need. But it didn’t make ignoring those emotions any easier.
I cleared my throat. “I was thinking of getting the tree next Saturday. If you’re not working, maybe you could help.”
He looked up. “Um… I guess.”
“You don’t have to. It’s just easier with two people.”
He shrugged. “I’m happy to help. If I’m free.”
“The place I always go to gives out free hot chocolate to the customers,” I said, coaxingly.
“Really?” He perked up. “Do they have those little marshmallows?”
I laughed. “I don’t remember.”
He smiled at me. “I love those little marshmallows. Not the big ones, but those tiny ones.”
