Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Shane
T he alpha across from me is a poor imitation of Mr. Greene, but I’m trying to put myself out there so I don’t sit at home every day and think about my boss. Well, kinda my ex-boss. He’s not making it easy for me to turn in my two weeks’ notice.
Since I got accepted into grad school, it’ll be nearly impossible for me to work the long hours I do at his firm. I love my job and wish I could do both, but if it comes down to which one I want more, it’s to get my master’s in architecture. It doesn’t make leaving the firm any easier though.
While the alpha sitting across from me is objectively hot and older, he’s the polar opposite of my boss. Where Mr. Greene is all dark and broody, the man across from me is light, laughter bubbling up after every few sentences. His smile flashes every few seconds, and his blond hair is shaggy and loose around his face. Mr. Greene would never look so…bright. It’s a little off-putting after being enamored with the delicious darkness that makes my boss who he is.
“So,” the alpha says, getting my attention, “you were walking on campus, and I just had to approach you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone as gorgeous as you.”
My cheeks heat, and I duck my head. The compliment is nice, but it’s not from the person I want to hear it from. “Thank you.”
“Why were you on campus? Working?”
“Oh, no,” I say, perking up. The only time I really like talking about myself is when I’m discussing my plans for the future. “I’m in the grad program for architecture.”
“Oh,” the alpha says, some of his radiance dimming. “You’re a student.”
“I will be in two weeks when the session starts. What about you?”
“I was applying for a job there. As an adjunct professor. So you want to work when you graduate?”
My eyebrows scrunch as I look at him, not sure where he’s going with this. “Um…yeah. I’ve always wanted to be an architect. Ever since I was a kid and saw a program when I was in school. It’s wonderful to think of the designs of a building in your head, then see them being built and used for years to come. It’s important work.”
He sighs. “I love your enthusiasm, I really do.” He leans forward and threads his fingers together. “But I don’t think we’re on the same page here. I’m looking for an omega that wants to be taken care of. I can’t very well take care of you when you’re working. I want my omega to be a house husband, taking care of our children while I take care of them.”
I shake my head, pushing a hand through my hair. “I don’t want someone to take care of me. I want someone to be my partner. My equal.”
This is another way this alpha is so different than Mr. Greene. When I told him I wanted to be an architect when I first began working for him, he smiled widely at me and told me it was amazing. He said he knew I would be great at it and wished me luck. He would never dream of telling me I couldn’t work so he could take care of me. I know it.
I’m not sure if this alpha has old school ways of thinking, where omegas were only meant to stay in the house and have babies, but that’s not what I want right now. Eventually, I want a family, but I don’t want to hinge my whole life on having a family. My happiness lies in getting my degree and using it to make sprawling structures I can be proud of.
The alpha sits back and shakes his head. “Well, I’m not going to lie. That’s disappointing. Not that you want to work,” he says quickly when I duck my head. “But that neither of us is willing to change what we want. But that’s okay. I’m having a great time. We can enjoy dinner and then go our separate ways.” He waves our server over, and we place our orders. “Now, tell me about what you’d like to do in the future.”
Despite my date and me wanting different things, we had a great time. He was funny and charismatic, telling joke after joke that had me in stitches for most of the night. For someone that does want to stay home and be taken care of, he’s a catch. But that’s not for me.
When we step out of the restaurant, Dean turns to me with a smile. “I had a nice time. I’m sorry things won’t work out between us, but you’re a great omega. Someone will be thrilled to have you.”
“The same for you,” I tell him honestly, then feel my cheeks flame. “Not that you’re an omega. But you’ll make someone happy.”
He chuckles and pulls me in for a quick hug. “I know what you meant. I wish you the best. I’ll probably see you around campus if things work out with this job,” he says when he pulls way, looking down at me with serious eyes. “If we do, we can grab some lunch. Hopefully we’ll both be telling each other we met the person of our dreams.”
I grin up at him. “I’d like that. Thanks for tonight, Dean.”
“Get home safe.” He walks me to my car and kisses me on the forehead before I slide behind the wheel. He waves at me as I drive away, a smile still on my face.
The date didn’t go according to plan at all, but I had fun. I thought going out with Dean would help me see that there were other alphas in the sea, but I spent most of the evening comparing him to Connor. Dean was great, but Connor is the alpha that I want. It might never happen, but I won’t settle.
When I step inside our apartment, Gina is waiting for me on the couch, a grin on her face. “Okay, tell me everything.”
I laugh as I remove my jacket and toe off my shoes. “Well, he wanted a house husband.”
Gina chuckles. “So things didn’t work out?”
“Nope,” I say, stretching out on the couch and lying my head in her lap. She strokes my hair, and I close my eyes, sighing at the movement. It’s something she and my mom did for years. “But the date wasn’t bad. We actually had a great time. But what we wanted didn’t align, so Dean said we shouldn’t pretend. I appreciated that.”
“So you’re holding out for your boss?”
“No, Gina. Nothing will happen between me and Mr. Greene.”
“It’s weird you call him Mr. Greene when you’ve been fantasizing about him for years.”
I slap her thigh and sit up. “That’s his name, weirdo. I’m going to bed. Thanks for waiting up.”
“You’re welcome.” I give her a peck on the cheek and head to my room.
After I take a shower, I climb in bed, sighing when my head hits the pillow. I only have a few more days to work for Mr. Greene, then I won’t have time to see him and tell him how I feel. Maybe when we finally have our meeting and I put in my notice, I can say something then. We have our meeting tomorrow so I can tell him I’m starting grad school, and he’ll be working with Olga from now on.
Tomorrow then. Tomorrow I’ll try to be brave and tell Mr. Greene how I feel. I’ll tell Connor how I feel. Maybe he feels the say way.
With a nervous smile on my face, I turn over and close my eyes, dreaming of a future with the alpha of my fantasies.