EPILOGUE
To Ray’s initial disappointment, Will tugged his hand from their clasp before entering The Daily Bean. “It isn’t that I don’t want people to know we’re a couple,” he said, his tone soothing. “I’m thinking the breakup is still fresh in Gabe’s mind. I don’t want to twist the knife, know what I mean?”
Ray thought for a moment. “No, I get it, and you’re a good friend to take his feelings into consideration. I can’t guarantee I won’t be holding your hand under the table, though.” He leaned closer and rubbed their shoulders, adding in a softer tone, “How are you feeling?”
“I’m great.” Ray detected no lies. While Will’s heat subsided Monday mid-morning, enough that he could walk unaided, Ray insisted they take the second sick day in the event of a relapse.
A wise move, Will conceded to him on the drive in to work.
They were happy, in love, and the full pastry case before them made for a nice bonus.
“Morning,” Ray called to the barista after the last customer stepped aside. “Happy Hump Day.”
“Back at you.” Gabe watched their approach to the order counter with a raised brow and growing smile. He knew. Was it that obvious on their faces and in their body language? Ray side-eyed Will and found a matching grin, as though the Omega communicated his joy at claiming a mate.
Well, not quite yet but soon. Will touched his turtleneck collar covering his gland, and Ray anticipated the moment when he’d bite down on it. Soon.
“Have a seat, and I’ll bring everything out to you,” Gabe told them after ringing up their order.
The Daily Bean hosted several customers this morning, scattered around the tables, but they found a free spot near the front with an unobstructed view of the office.
Ray guided Will to his seat, hovering his hand at the small of his back, and pulled out the chair.
“That’s different.” Will pointed toward the agency. “Was there an accident yesterday? Or vandalism?”
Ray took note of the brown butcher paper covering the long glass panel of the front door. While he and Gwen had communicated during lulls in Will’s heat, she’d said nothing about a rock sent through the window as a prank. “I suppose we’ll find out when we get to work.”
“Or, maybe ask us now.”
They turned to find Gwen hovering close to their table, laptop bag slung over one shoulder. “Morning, sunshine.”
Ray blinked. “You sneak. Were you behind us in line the whole time?”
“I saw you two through the window and waved, but you’re acting like you’re the only people here.” Gwen crooked her head toward the counter. “Forgive my bossiness, but I asked Gabe to make your order to go. Phil’s parking his car and we’re about to have the big reveal. Gabe, you want to join us?”
Gwen’s tone commanded, rather than requested, the company of their business neighbor.
Gabe came forward with a folded paper bag and two to-go cups in a cardboard holder, his lips rounded and expression soft.
“Oh, uh,” he said, and surveyed the dining area, “yeah. I think I can get away for a minute or two.”
“Right. Let’s do this.” Gwen charged out of the cafe, forcing the men to double-time it in order to keep up with her. Phil met them at the front door with his own coffee, flashing a sheepish smile as he covered the competitor’s logo on the cup sleeve with his fingers.
“Before we remove the wrap,” Gwen said, grasping Ray’s shoulder, “all credit goes to Ray here for helping Phil and I come to a decision about our agency’s name. I’m not kidding when I say we were at our wits’ end about this, the most important component of the business.”
Ray found the attention flattering, if not a tad confusing. “Uh, you’re welcome? I’m still not sure what I did or said to earn your praise.”
“Is Ray getting a bonus?” Will asked.
Gabe shifted in place, glancing back at the cafe. “Guys, can we step this up? Three people just walked in…”
Enough stalling. Ray stood close to Will, arm around his waist while Gwen and Phil each took a top corner of the wrap and peeled it down and away.
Adhered to the upper half of the glass in a thick black font were the words OPERATION: MATE, with An Alpha/Omega Match Service underneath in smaller cursive.
“What do you think?” Phil asked.
Ray checked Will for his reaction, which rivaled the smile he saw when they woke in each other’s arms that morning. He was nodding and about to speak when Gabe got in the first compliment.
“I like it. It’s nice that I can direct customers to Operation: Mate instead of ‘that matchmaking place across the street.’” He waved off the laughter and took a few steps back.
“Of course, I saw the sign guy applying this the other day which spoiled the big reveal for me. But I wish you guys all the luck.”
“Thanks for not snitching.” Gwen indicated Will and Ray, then shooed Gabe back to his cafe. “What about you guys?” she added. “Phil put the design together. We’ve ordered the business cards and they’ll be in next week.”
“And the site domain?” Will asked.
“Registered and ready to connect,” Phil said. “I’ll leave that to you, as well as the social media setup. We can finally start the paid ads.”
Will hooked his fingers around a belt loop on Ray’s jeans and held tight to him. “I think it’s great. It’s a bold name and it’s clear in what it sells.” He nudged Ray. “And you came up with this?”
“I did, and I’d love to hear how.” Ray fixed on Gwen.
“It’s what you told me this past weekend, describing a heat as a delicate operation,” she said, folding the butcher paper into halves until it formed a bundle.
She beckoned for them to follow when Phil unlocked the door.
“I liked the urgency behind the phrase, and ours is a process that generates results while staying true to our clients’ needs.
People will see this and know what we’re about.
“And if it tanks, we’ll rebrand.” Gwen laughed and planted the huge paper roll in the small bin beside Will’s desk. “Seriously, though, Phil and I have agonized long enough over the name and this was the best of the lot. Ray, we owe you big.”
Ray mock saluted and watched Gwen settle into her cubicle. He sipped his coffee and reached inside the pastry for his breakfast when Will cleared his throat, commanding attention.
“Delicate operation?” Will lifted one brow and quirked up his lip. “Is that what I am?”
He sounded more amused than angry, thank the stars.
“What you are is the strongest person I know,” Ray said, hoping his sincerity reached Will through his eyes.
He wanted to pull Will into his arms and kiss him, and it hurt to hold back.
They’d agreed to keep things professional in the office.
He couldn’t wait for lunch offsite. “I don’t equate ‘delicate’ to ‘weak,’ but when it comes to caring for an Omega in heat then yes, I believe the term is appropriate. ”
Will nodded and rubbed his chin. “Much like BDSM, there’s more than one way to achieve satisfaction.”
“Exactly.”
Behind them, Phil and Gwen sat at their respective desks, delving into the day’s agenda.
Good time to risk a quick kiss, but Will put himself out of range.
He flashed a look of apology in Ray’s direction before sitting down to set up his laptop.
“What do you say,” he began, “we have dinner out tonight to celebrate the official branding of Operation: Mate? After three days at home, I need a change of scenery.”
“There’s a great Italian place at the beach. I’ll treat.” Anything his Omega desired, Ray vowed to provide. He bent down to whisper in Will’s ear. “I hear Omegas have ravenous post-heat appetites. A big bowl of pasta will help that.”
“Some of it.” Will winked at him. “It’s not all for food, so you know.”
“Omega.” Ray spoke in a warning but teasing tone, then considered the advantages to office flirting. If they boosted the agency’s vibe, all the better for their clients.
Will folded his arms on his desk and leaned forward. “Not to make it a business dinner, but…”
Ray followed his gaze across the street to the Daily Bean. Gabe, visible in his black apron, was clearing off a table and chatting with a departing customer. Their friend wore a mask of exhaustion, touched with a hint of melancholy.
“I don’t like seeing Gabe so sad,” Will said as though reading his mind. “We should find him a good Alpha who won’t fuck around on him.”
“What happened to not twisting the knife?”
Will’s expression soured. “This is different. We’re helping Gabe meet his ideal mate and in turn proving the agency’s expertise.”
“Gabe has to want help.” Ray understood Will’s concern. A happy Omega, close to mating, wanted the same for his kin. Gabe deserved a faithful Alpha too, but if he declined their aid Will would have to accept the decision and refrain from pushing.
“I realize that, and if he’s still single next month I want him to take part in the open house demo for First Friday.” Will held Ray’s gaze. “Won’t hurt to ask.”
“True.”
With a wicked smile, Will turned back to his administrative work, posture straight and showing a hint of his gland underneath his collar. His strawberry scone scent filled his space, tempting Ray closer for a bite.
Soon. For now, he decided to buck office professionalism.
Crouching to eye level next to Will, Ray feigned checking the screen to point out a website typo.
He nosed away the collar and brushed a quick dry kiss along Will’s gland.
“Whatever happens, Omega, you are mine.” He said it only for Will’s ears and reveled in the silent, shivering reaction.
“You working for Greg later today?” When Will confirmed it, he added, “We’ll have lunch before talking to Gabe.
Brainstorm a bit on how to approach him. ”
“Thank you, Alpha.”
~*~
Ray’s blissed-out expression warmed Will down to his toes. Post-heat euphoria might have accounted for Ray’s amplified attention, but Will expected their love to strengthen over time. In terms of partnership, no other Alpha qualified for him.
“Okay, back to work.” Ray patted his shoulder and lumbered off to his cubicle. Will found the crack in his voice charming. He looked forward to success with Ray and their bosses here, and to building a life with his Alpha.
He also wanted every Omega hiring Operation: Mate to experience the same level of joy filling his soul.
Starting, he vowed as he opened the database of Alpha applicants, with Gabe.