Page 9 of Dancing for His Omega
I was just about to suggest we head over to the food trucks and have some dinner when we came to the abandoned dance studio. And his relaxed demeanor changed. First, he seemed eager, peering through the window and mentioning his background as a dancer. And he could teach. I thought maybe he was considering reopening the school.
And then I asked him about what happened with that life, expecting a simple explanation. Dancers didn’t do that job forever. From what little I knew, it was incredibly taxing work. He might have gotten tired. Maybe he’d had an injury or something.
But no, it was so much worse than any of that.
Edwin told me what happened to him without holding back, as if he thought I had the right to know, as if also realizing we were mates. I was so touched, but before I could say more than something about him being poorly treated, everything about the night had changed.
He stammered an apology and took off at a speed my chocolate-tasting body could never keep up with. As if someone had lit a fuse under him. I wanted to run after him, find out what I did wrong. Were my words just the most egregious thing he’d heard?
I couldn’t figure it out.
But at least I knew the streets were safe here, that it was too small a town to get lost in and he would find his way home.
And he hadn’t had dinner. I would have liked to pick something up and deliver it myself, but if I had done something that upset him, I couldn’t do that. So, instead, I continued on to the food truck area and got in line at Dragon’s Breath. Of all the trucks, they always had the longest line, but it was worth the wait. When I got to the window, I placed an order and asked if they had any way to deliver it.
“Hey, Zyran, there’s a guy here who wants delivery.” The young dragon who had taken my order sounded a little sarcastic, but when his boss came to the window, a broad smile broke out on his face.
“Micah! Good to see you. How is the chocolate business? I was gonna stop by later in the week and pick something up for Nash’s birthday.”
“Please do, and if there’s anything special you’d like for your mate, let me know. How are he and Natalie doing?”
“They’re fine, but Nat is running her daddies ragged.”
“No shock.” Their little girl was the cutest dragon in town, eyes sparkling with adorable mischief at all times. “You know I’m available to babysit most evenings. Maybe Nash would like an evening out for his birthday.”
“You sure? I know you’re putting in the hours. You’re as busy as we are.”
“Nothing I like better than an evening of Go Fish and explaining why I can’t breathe fire.” I glanced over my shoulder. “Shoot, I’m holding up your business. Listen, if you have any way to do a delivery, I’d be in your debt.”
“If you watch our darling girl for a couple of hours on my omega’s birthday, we’ll call it more than even. I’ll send Flash there. He’s new in town and way too proud of his fire. Why do you need a delivery? You’re right here.”
“Long story.” My cheeks warmed at the memory and Zyran grinned.
“You can fill me in when I come by the shop. This is going to be juicy.”
He got the info from me. Edwin had told me he lived in an apartment above a garage and mentioned his landlord by name, so I knew just where to send him. “Granger’s rental.” Then I accepted the free burnt-ends sandwich Zyran forced on me and headed for home.
I had to be gentle with this alpha. He’d been hurt and already shown me more trust than I might have in his position. He was my mate and worth waiting for.
No matter how hard it seemed.
Chapter Nine
Edwin
I did one thing very well aside from dancing—avoiding. Over the last few days, I’d managed to traverse every back alley and roundabout way to my destinations.
Whatever kept me from passing in front of the chocolatier’s shop.
Not because Micah had done anything wrong. Quite the opposite. Not only had he listened to me but, that night, he’d sent dinner to my house. The most delicious smoked chicken sandwich along with sweet potato fries and a smoked cream cheese dip. It was like he’d read my mind about the Dragon’s Breath food truck.
It was delicious, of course. Everything I’d eaten in Oliver Creek was.
Especially the chocolates.
It had been hard to eat them since the taste, the smell, it all reminded me of Micah.
“Edwin?” Shay said, sitting in his chair. The sun filtered into his office since I had a late appointment today.
