Chapter Ten
Micah
I’m so sorry, Micah. Please accept my apology. I’ll understand if you don’t want to see me after this, but I hope you do because these last few days thinking about you and not being able to see you has been heartbreaking.
I had been waiting to hear back from him, but it took a couple of days before I realized we’d never exchanged phone numbers. So, even if he’d wanted to text me and say thanks for the food or drop dead or anything…he couldn’t.
He could have come by the shop, though, and for a day or so, every time the bell rang when I was in the kitchen, I jumped. But soon enough, I recognized the likelihood that he was choosing not to visit. I must have done something to upset him, but I just couldn’t think what. And since he knew where to find me, my tracking him down at his home to ask felt stalkerish.
No, I would just have to trust that if he was indeed my fated, he would want to come to me and talk it out. I’d have to be patient. Which, had I been asked, I would have said was one of my better qualities. Before I met my mate.
I’d never been happier to see anyone or more surprised to receive an apology. But he hadn’t done anything wrong, and it was very important to me that he know that. I moved closer to him and brushed his hand with mine. “Oh, Edwin,” I said. “There’s nothing to forgive.”
He brought his other hand up and cupped my cheek. “Omega, you’re too kind. But I’m so glad you aren’t angry with me. But I hope that doesn’t mean we can’t kiss and make up.”
“Let’s avoid interruptions.” I reached behind me and twisted the lock, turned the sign to closed. “Now we can.”
We’d only touched hands once or twice so far, although my imagination had gone far beyond such simple contact. When he enfolded me in his arms, I learned how limited my imagination was. My life had been ordinary as far as shifters went. I’d dated and even had some short relationships, but none of them had been more than fast-fading crushes. I had thought I’d never have a mate, but from the moment he walked into my store the first time, my wolf was fully aware that he was our other half.
“You really aren’t upset at me?” he asked, stroking my back. “Not even a little?”
“I thought it was me.” I rested my head on his shoulder, breathing in his scent, his warmth, his presence. “I’ve been trying to figure out what I said that drove you away so fast.”
“And then you still sent me dinner from Dragon’s Breath.” He kissed my temple. “It was delicious, and I wanted to call and thank you, but I didn’t have your number.”
“You could have come by, wait…you did.”
He held me tighter. “But it should have been sooner. If it means anything, I ran out of a counseling appointment when I realized I couldn’t do without you for even another half hour.”
“Are you paying for the whole time? Maybe you should go back.” I didn’t even know why I said that because if he did, I’d have to go with him. How would that be? Couples counseling before we mated.
“No, that’s the funny thing. He is giving me a discount for today.”
“I didn’t think they ever did that.” Rubbing my cheek on his shirt, I tried to imprint myself on him or him on me. I wasn’t sure. It didn’t matter. “He must really approve of what you came to do.”
“You know they can’t flat-out tell a client what to do, but he did help me come to the decision. And then of course the discount.” He stepped back and studied me. “You did nothing wrong. I think when I told you the whole thing about Jacob and the mess I’d ended up in, I shocked myself.
“Then imagine how I felt when your gift arrived? Omega, you are one of a kind.”
His palm on my cheek raised my heart rate and had my knees wobbling. And when his lips descended on mine, only the hand he clamped on my hip kept me upright. We stood there right in the middle of the chocolate shop, kissing like teenagers and uncaring if a crowd formed outside. Mostly. I opened one eye and peeked over his shoulder, but nobody seemed to have noticed. I would have thought the heat coming off us in waves would draw attention.
When we finally paused for breath, I wanted to do it all over again and again, but I wanted more. “Alpha, would you come to my house for dinner? I’ll cook.”
“I’d love to come.”
“Me too…”