Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Ray worked another hour, cold calling leads and setting up appointments for later in the week.
Judging from the warm reactions and enthusiasm radiating through each conversation, Ray predicted a smooth launch for the agency once it established a name and public online presence.
The Alphas he contacted were fed up with the faulty algorithms of their mating apps, and the Omegas longed for a simpler avenue of introduction to Alphas who fit their needs.
Some asked about mixers, which reminded Ray to talk to Phil and Gwen about events beyond their open house.
After clearing his inbox, Ray checked his phone to find he had thirty minutes left to spend with Will at The Daily Bean before it closed.
He hated to get up and walk away, however, if his bosses had tasks to complete.
Will would understand if he bailed, he hoped, and maybe they could hit up a diner later tonight.
“I’m fine. Get out of here,” Gwen told Ray when he offered to stay longer. “Phil and I have some administrative issues to button up, and none of it requires your presence. You and Will have fun.”
Ray blinked. “What makes you think me and Will…?” They’d kept their pact on the down low, unsure of how Phil and Gwen might react to in-office fraternization.
Gwen rolled her eyes. “You two are as opaque as cling wrap,” she said. “You think I haven’t seen you guys sneaking pining-ass looks at each other? Will’s a cutie, too, so I don’t blame you.”
“So it wouldn’t upset you if I asked him out?”
“If you make it stick I’ll work it into the marketing. That’s a joke.”
Ray shrugged on his hoodie and Gwen walked him to the door.
“It doesn’t matter what I think. I’m not his mother, or yours.
Even if I were, you’re both adults,” she continued, and drifted closer to the front window.
She paused before the couch, looking out at the nearly empty cafe across the street.
Amid the dark wood backdrop and decor of The Daily Bean, Will stood out like a flame with his red-blond hair and yellow t-shirt.
He was engrossed in his laptop, a paper cup with a cardboard sleeve by his arm.
Gwen pivoted toward Ray, folding her arms. “I like him, and I like you. If you like each other, I hope it works out.”
“I appreciate it, Gwen. Sorry we can’t give you credit if we end up mating.”
“In a way, you can. I offered him the job that’s kept him here.” Gwen clicked her tongue. “If this blows up, though, I hope you two will be professional about it on the premises.” She flashed him a hard stare. “If I want drama, I’ll go home and binge something.”
Her sharpened expression sent a clear message, and Ray nodded his understanding. He wanted the happy ending, and if it included Will, then great. Tonight, he’d get a clearer picture of that possibility.
Above all else, he wanted to scent the Omega.
Ray entered The Daily Bean to an unmanned service counter, yet noises exploded from behind the espresso machines and syrup displays.
He caught sight of the owner’s head, his wavy black hair askew, skimming left to right and back along the lower edge of the pass-through window.
Patches of tense conversation floated out into the cafe.
Somebody wasn’t happy, and Ray guessed the same for the person on the other end of Gabe’s phone.
“He’s not wearing his Omega ring anymore.”
Ray shuffled to one side, his heart pumping hard from the soft but sudden jumpscare. Will stood close, sipping from his lidded to-go cup.
“Oh,” Ray said. “I wasn’t aware one could resign from being an Omega.”
Will snorted. “Funny. Were you aware it was a promise ring?” he asked.
“No.” Ray limited his chats with the barista to the available pastries and the weather. He gave more attention to receiving correct change when he paid with cash than any jewelry the man wore. “Not a clue.”
Will shrugged one shoulder. “He kept it to himself, until now. Gabe ended it with the Alpha who was courting him,” he added, his voice still low. “Guy’s been blowing up Gabe’s phone ever since.”
“That’s rough.”
A loud “Fuck you!” filled the space, followed by another banging noise. Ray pictured the barista’s phone hitting a wall and shattering, thus ending further interruptions.
“Turned out Gabe wasn’t the only Omega in town wearing a promise ring. Temperature’s cooler where I’m sitting.” Will motioned to where he was sitting and ducked away when Gabe emerged from the back.
“Sorry about that,” Gabe said to Ray. He looked composed, though a bit red in the face and his full body apron askew. Ray played dumb and ordered a hot hazelnut latte to go, but Gabe prepared it in a ceramic mug.
“Will said he was meeting you here, and it’s all good,” Gabe said as he slid the finished drink across the counter.
“You guys are welcome to hang out while I close. I plan to take my time with it. I’m in no hurry to go home.
” His exhausted expression punctuated the remark, suggesting that more volatile conversation awaited him outside the cafe. Not fun.
Ray thanked Gabe and left him to his business.
At a table on the far side of the cafe, chosen, Ray presumed, to allow Gabe some privacy, Will nursed his coffee.
His laptop closed, he sketched in a wirebound artbook.
Ray settled in the opposite chair and caught a glimpse of the work in progress, a woman’s face.
“That’s coming along well.” He waited for Will to move the large workbook before lifting his mug for a sip. Gabe had filled it to near overflow and he didn’t want to stain the page by accident.
Will smiled, lowering his eyelids. His creeping blush brought out the fiery golden color of his lashes and eyebrows. Ray caught notes of hazelnut and milk from his coffee, but detected nothing of the sweet Omega close to him. He sniffed harder in vain.
Damn. Ray supposed so long as they met in public, Will’s scent would stay contained.
“It’s Gwen,” Will said, “or it will be when I’m done with it.”
“Yes, I can see it in the eyes. She’ll love it.”
“Oh, I don’t plan to show it to her. Not for a while, anyway.
” Will put his forefinger to his lips in a bid to keep his secret.
“I’m still practicing. This drawing isn’t indicative of my style, you see.
I can draw realistic figures and objects, but I prefer manga.
” He turned the book to the front, showing Ray his various doodles and characters and answering Ray’s questions about his craft.
“I’ve been at it since I was ten,” he said.
“People think I’m a natural, but it’s taken years to get where I am. ”
Ray hovered his fingertips over a page depicting an action panel, two robed soldiers dueling with swords.
“I draw a bit myself, so I can definitely relate,” he said, and pulled his hand back to let Will turn another page.
“These are awesome. I don’t read manga but I like graphic novels.
I could totally see something like this in a book. ”
“I used to dream of drawing a full graphic novel,” Will said.
“Yeah? What’s stopping you?” Soon as he asked, though, he cursed to himself on seeing Will’s enthusiasm fade.
Apparently something or someone had stifled Will’s dream, either financial strife or low self-confidence.
Or, some asshole insulted his work once and the comment stayed rent-free in the Omega’s head.
Ray felt bad for triggering him, and it angered him to think a negative influence might have discouraged Will from embracing his artistic side.
“I’m sorry, that was too personal and it’s not my business,” he said. The urge to protect Will from criticism burned strong in his heart.
“No, you’re fine.” Will shook his head and set the workbook on a vacant chair.
“It’s not a question of time or opportunity.
Drawing characters’ expressions and scenes aren’t the issue, but coming up with a whole story with a plot and conflict and all that isn’t my strength.
I tried partnering with a writer friend once, but we argued too much over the plot and how we should portray the characters.
On top of that, he wasn’t as dedicated as I was to collaborating.
He wanted to write his own book.” Will sighed. “We’re not friends anymore.”
Ray murmured his sympathies, realizing he was partially correct, and they fell into an awkward silence.
Will’s earlier concerns about workplace romances rang in his head with greater clarity.
He wanted to assure Will that he was above arguing nitpicky details, be it while involved in a work project or during a casual conversation, but he decided it was better to pivot to a new topic.
He wasn’t a shit stirrer, just somebody who embraced his passions.
Right now, that meant focusing on success at his new job, renewing his kink interests, and getting to know Will better. Will took priority at the moment, and he appreciated Will opening up to him. Time to contribute something personal about himself.
“Looking at this picture reminded me of earlier today, when Mr. Schulz was in the office,” he said, calling up his gallery app.
Will was quick to interject. “Yeah, you know I’m not interested in that guy, right? I was trying to be polite…”
“Will.” Ray spoke with a soothing tone, and watched as the one word seemed to settle Will’s nerves.
Promising. Such a good little Omega. “I know. I think he came on too strong, but he’s anxious to find an Omega himself and I intend to do that for him,” he said.
“Getting back to what I was saying, your artwork would look great as body ink. Have you thought about designing tattoos?”
“Not before Mr. Schulz teased me about it.” Will scooted his chair closer when Ray rested his forearm on the table, holding up his phone. “Oh,” he said, his voice pitching higher with surprise. “Did you draw these?”