CHAPTER FOUR
“Will you take the job, you think?”
Say yes, please, Omega?
Ray counted ten steps from the matchmaking agency’s door to the passenger side of Will Dexter’s car, where Will now leaned while Ray rested against a nearby mailbox.
Well into the morning, foot and auto traffic picked up on the street.
Several customers filled the window space of the coffee shop across the way, and a few cars slowed past them, the drivers looking in their direction.
Waiting for the spot to open, no doubt. Ray got it, but he hated to hurry along the conversation.
It wasn’t quite the time for the metered parking to go into effect, and Ray wanted to get to know this alluring Omega.
“It was nice of Ms. Johnson to offer,” Will said, “and it’s basically a customer service position with some light marketing.
Nothing I haven’t done before.” He gripped his laptop bag, holding it in front of him like protection, as he rocked on his heels.
Heaven help the man, but he looked too cute in this position.
Coy would be the proper term to use if Will were indeed trying to gain Ray’s attention, but…
Why wouldn’t he? nagged Ray’s inner voice.
You’re an Alpha. Own it. Ray tried, despite his best efforts at self-sabotage.
He came down on himself on occasion, conscious about his present lack of employment.
That, and his looks. His blond hair curled naturally so he kept it somewhat short to prevent an all-out fuzzball effect.
He wore contacts for the interview, despite the discomfort they brought.
When he began work in earnest he’d switch to his glasses, which tended to call attention to his Grecian nose.
He’d have to set aside vanity, though, in order to see.
“I ought to clear it with Greg first. He’s the guy who runs Big Man Tech. My boss,” Will was saying. “I don’t think he’d see it as a conflict of interest, but he’s hoping to sell these guys on a monthly retainer for service and repair. I want to avoid hurt feelings, is all.”
“At the end of the day, it’s business. Were you to decline I’m sure Phil and Gwen wouldn’t take it personally.” I hope you won’t.
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Ray glanced back at Gwen and Phil’s office building.
He wasn’t certain how much IT work they needed on a regular basis, given their intent to hand pick mates for their clients.
If this Greg excelled at selling to people as he did in choosing employees, he might make the cut.
“Big Man Tech,” he said, looking back at Will.
“Interesting name for a business. Sounds… manly.”
“Yeah.” Will laughed. “Greg’s last name is Bigelow, so that’s part of it.
His friends called him ‘Big Man’ in school because he was a hot shot on the wrestling team.
I don’t know,” he added with a shrug. “Maybe it’s meant to lend some oomph to the business, what with Greg being an Omega and mostly hiring Omegas. ”
Nice to have that confirmation. “Nothing wrong with being an Omega,” Ray said. He pushed away from the mailbox and moved closer to the car, mindful not to touch it. “Omegas are some of my favorite people.”
“Ah.” Will’s face pinked a touch. He caught Ray’s meaning and hopefully found it flattering.
Ray wanted to keep them on this track of conversation when Will spoke up.
“Anyway, I worry that he might fire me if I take the job. Then I’ll be in the same position I’m in now, looking for another part-time gig to keep my head above water. ”
Well, that sucked. “Doesn’t seem fair. You said he looks the other way on your freelance work, right? So unless he sees a second salaried job as competition regardless of its nature, and he shouldn’t, I believe you’re fine.”
“There was a no-compete statement in my onboarding paperwork at Big Man,” Will said.
“If and when I quit I can’t work for another IT company for at least six months.
Nothing about taking a second job, and most of his contract employees were doing the rideshare and delivery thing. This is different.”
Ray’s irritation over Will’s boss faded. He adjusted the straps on his backpack. “I can vouch for Gwen, at least. I’ve known her a long time, and she isn’t the type to dive blindly into a venture. If she’s co-launching a business, she’s done her homework.”
Will nodded. “Good to know. I’ll sleep on it, definitely. If they change their minds and retract the offer I haven’t really lost anything,” he said. “I still have resumes out all over town.”
“Same. Looks like I have to email a few recruiters and let them know I’m employed.” Thinking back to how Phil and Gwen exchanged silent glances, Ray saw the decision made for the Omega. The job was Will’s for the taking, or refusing. If the former, hope surged in Ray for a deeper acquaintance.
“If you like,” he said, “I’m willing to help for when you speak to your boss. Maybe some confidence roleplay. I’ll pretend to be him and bounce off ideas on how to approach him.” He leaned closer. “How about, uh, over dinner? I’m free tonight.”
Will’s features softened. “I’m not sure practice is necessary.
Greg’s approachable. But… are you asking me out?
” He smiled, giving no indication of disgust or reluctance.
He reached for the high mock-turtleneck collar on his shirt and scratched a spot, leaving Ray to guess it as the location of Will’s scent gland.
“Yeah, I am,” Ray said. “You pretty much told me about yourself, but you should know that I am an Alpha.”
“I figured.” Will’s cute nose wrinkle punctuated the remark. Ray took it as a good sign that Will found his scent pleasing.
Ray rolled his neck to work out a kink. He eye-balled Will at just under six feet, which suited the man’s slender frame.
He’d make a perfect little spoon in bed, though Ray tried not to get ahead of himself.
There was much Will needed to know about him before moving forward with a serious relationship.
“I can’t scent you, Will. I take it you’re on high-grade suppressants? ”
“Today, yes. I don’t use them all the time, but I wanted to play it safe this morning.”
Good first impression, or a coming heat? Not his business, but curiosity lingered. “That’s fair,” Ray said, “but I’d like to know you better. Would you be interested?”
“I would.”
Ray’s pulse raced.
“But…”
Then plummeted into this gut.
Will lowered his gaze. “If I take this office manager job, we’d be co-workers,” he said, “and I don’t know if it’s a good idea to date.
I realize I’m thinking too far ahead since we just met, but I’ve had friends who dated people at work.
When they got along it was great, but every single one of them blew up.
” Will hugged himself tight, giving a subtle shudder that spoke of second-hand nightmares.
“Oh.” At least it wasn’t an I’m not interested.
Quite the contrary, Ray sensed disappointment in Will, which left Ray racing for a loophole in the logic.
“Well, if you’ll allow me a rebuttal, I won’t be your boss,” he said.
“Also, you don’t work for Gwen and Phil right now.
Hell, I don’t even start for a few more days.
At any rate, we’re kind of in the clear tonight. ”
That earned him a laugh. “True. Yes.” Will bowed his head and raked his fingers through his hair, settling the locks behind his ear. Too adorable for words. “I can see that going one of two ways. Either we misfire at every turn because we’re too fixated on events we can’t predict…”
Ray tilted his head, watching Will and waiting.
“Or,” Will said, peering up at him with an impish grin, “we fall madly in love halfway through our first date and ruin each other for future relationships.”
“Yeah, that sounds awful.”
Will laughed, a short barking sound that startled a few passersby. “I’m sorry to jerk you around like this. It’s a real limbo position, and tonight is kind of short notice.”
“Tell you what, since you’ve checked your phone twice and it looks like you want to get moving before the parking meter people show up…
” Ray put a few feet of sidewalk in between them to show respect for Will’s personal space.
“I get your reluctance to date within a workspace, but we can still be friends, right?” When Will nodded, he added, “Take a day or two to figure out your path, and if you take the office manager job I’ll see you here. ”
He grasped one strap of his backpack. “After thirty days, if it looks like we get along fine, we’ll revisit the possibility of going out to dinner or something.
” Ray figured continuing the discussion after the trial period, rather than assuming a date would happen, gave Will some agency.
He liked the Omega and didn’t want to pressure him.
“I ought to tell you this now, because it might impact your interest.” Will rubbed his chin in a contemplative gesture. “I’m not searching for a mate just yet. I mean, it’ll happen eventually, but I’m looking to enjoy myself for a while.”
Ray’s reaction was swift. “That’s fair, sure. I’m talking about dinner, Will, not mating. You have to start somewhere.”
“A lot can happen in a month,” Will said, his tone wistful. “What if some pretty little Omega walks into…” He blinked and twisted his lip. “Well, into whatever Phil and Gwen end up calling this place, and they steal your heart?”
Doubtful, but Will’s delivery suggested he might regret a missed opportunity. Ray smiled to reassure him of his commitment to his proposal. “I’d put them on hold. Seriously, I worry more about some other Alpha scooping you up and taking you home so you can build your nest there.”
Will’s blushing deepened in color, and Ray read genuine modesty in his reaction. A touch of insecurity as well. Why wouldn’t other Alphas find Will attractive? A clever mind and a beautiful face topped Ray’s list. Will had to know he was a catch.
He wanted to express good qualities, too, in particular knowing when to wind down a conversation. “Anyway,” Ray said, gesturing to the office door, “you know where I’ll be next week. If you decide to pass on Phil and Gwen’s offer, I hope you’ll stop by when I’m in between matchmaking appointments.”
“You’ll know one way or the other.”
Street traffic hit a lull, and they parted with a mutual “see ya” before Will rounded his front grill and slipped into the driver’s seat. Ray turned to walk as Will pulled from the curb, and quickened his pace across the street before the light changed.
What a morning. A new job and a romantic prospect, found in the same place.
The notion that both might help him bloom where he planted himself buoyed Ray’s spirits.
It called for a celebration, and the cafe across the street looked inviting.
He’d enjoy a flavored iced coffee and whatever called to him from the baked goods display, and find a spot for quiet time and shuffling around his finances to get through his first paycheck.
He hoped to meet up with Will again, and soon. As much as he’d like to work in the same office space with the Omega, he was okay if Will turned down the job. That freed him to explore the possibilities of a long-term relationship.
Ray paid for his snacks and searched for a free table. As he waited for his laptop to boot up he took Will’s business card from his pocket. His order arrived and the light scent of rosemary wafting from the cute Omega barista delivering it hardly fazed him.
He focused on clearing his inbox, deleting old sales alerts and informing prospective employers that he was off the job hunting market. Halfway through his scone, he paused at an incoming message.
We Miss You! Wrap Yourself in Velvet Tonight read the subject header.
His heart panged on seeing the plea from his favorite club, inviting him to renew membership.
It was an automated mail, of course, sent to other lapsed members of Velvet Sands, and when Ray opened it he saw the expected incentive.
Restart your membership and enjoy your first month back free!
“Nice,” he murmured. He’d hated to cancel that recurring payment, but he couldn’t justify the expense during his unemployment. A free month gave him a nice cushion until payday.
Ray saved the mail, intent on revisiting it later, and closed his laptop. He savored the rest of his scone while watching the office across the street. He looked forward to helping Phil and Gwen launch their business and gain traction with clients tired of wasting time on faulty dating apps.
And Will… he thought about the Omega’s scent, anxious to discover it and mingle it with his own.
Will Dexter had a hold on him, and he longed to return the favor.