Page 11 of The Omega's Third Wish
Chapter Five
Theo
I had to say the way the curse manifested this time was more pleasant than others. But for the rest of the day, I couldn't make eye contact with Zeph. I knew that would be only a matter of time before he decided our morning activities had crossed a line we couldn’t uncross and my time in Vale Valley would come to an end.
It was a cold night and an icy rain was coming down. Normally, I would have wished for better weather so the girls could play, instead tonight my only regret was that it would probably be one of their last nights together. Yet, I was glad we couldn't go outside because it meant I could avoid Zeph.
After the girls were in bed I started doing the dishes. Zeph came in a few minutes later. I wasn't sure what he'd say, but I wasn't expecting the usual song and dance.
“Oh, you don't have to bother with the dishes, Theo,” he said. “I can take care of them.”
“It's fine,” I said. “It's my job.”
He paused halfway through pulling a mug down from the cupboard and shot me an unreadable look. “Is it?” he asked softly, almost to himself. He retrieved the mug and then took down a second one. “I was thinking I still wanted hot cocoa.” He paused and then said, “I kind of like sitting on the porch with you…”
“It’s raining,” was the only thing I can think of to say
He smiled and there was something shy about it. “Itisa covered porch… Will you join me?”
“Sure.”
I walked to the pantry next to him to get the cocoa powder and opened it up, acutely aware of how close to him the move took me. As I turned with the container, he raised a hand like he was going to take the cocoa powder, but instead put it over mine. My breath hitched at the touch of his warm skin.
“You know, I can make hot cocoa,” he said gently. “You don't have to feel like you have to do everything, just because you’re an omega.”
“I like to. It's nice to…” I paused, not sure if I wanted to say the thought outloud.
“Nice to what?”
Well, it wasn't as if I was going to have this job much longer anyway. “It's nice to have an alpha to take care of. Even if it is just a job.”
“You didn't answer me earlier… when I asked if that's all this is to you.”
I swallowed hard, mouth suddenly dry, and looked up at his handsome face as he watched me expectantly.
“I don't know.” I found myself admitting. “Sometimes it doesn't always…” I trailed off.
To my surprise, finished the thought. “It doesn't always feel like one,” Zeph said softly. I nodded. “Sometimes it doesn't feel like I hired you either… it feels like you’re family. Sometimes I don't argue when you insist on going above and beyond because, well, the truth is it's nice to have an omega taking care of me and our family.”
“Our?”
He bit his lip in an adorably shy way and turned away from me. “It feels like it sometimes…”
“I've always thought,” I ventured, hoping I was making the right decision, “that there's something… you know, between us.”
“Yeah,” he said in a sort of breathless giggle. “Yeah. I feel like you have sort of found your place here.”
We stared at each other. There were several things I wanted to say, but wasn't sure if any would be welcome. I don't know if I was relieved or disappointed when he removed his hand from mine and took a step back
“I guess you can go ahead and make that if you want. It tastes better when you do it,” he chuckled.
I smiled and nodded. Zeph waited in the living room for me and stood, extending his hand for his mug, as I entered. We wordlessly went out to the porch and sat on the bench next to each other like we always did. There was always plenty of room on the bench, but tonight it seemed like we were sittingsoclose together.
It was chilly so I wrapped my hands around my mug and took a couple of sips, letting it warm me. We sat in silence for quite some time, just listening to the rain and trying to think of what to say.
“I want to keep paying you,” Zeph said.
“But?” I asked, forcing back a sigh. Well, this was it.
