Page 25 of Omega’s Oath

Rose frowned. They weren’t her favorite and she wondered how he didn’t know that. Rose loved peonies and sweet peas, but she didn’t say anything. “Do you want coffee?”

“Yes, please. Can I help you?”

“Sure, pass the mugs from the cabinet on the left.”

Harlan leaned over her shoulder and placed the mugs down as she poured them both a cup. She felt confined in the kitchen mostly because of her size now and wanted a little distance as he was crowding her. “Let’s take it through to the living room.”

He followed, carrying the mugs and she sat in her armchair and let him take the couch.

“So how are you feeling?”

“Like a beached whale.”

“Well, you look radiant, glowing even.” Harlan sipped the coffee and offered her a genuine smile.

“Thank you for saying that, even if it isn’t true.”

“Are you coping okay on your own? It must be hard. I could come over more and help out with things.”

“Don’t you have a job to get back to?”

“I’m taking a sabbatical for a few months. I realized after my marriage ended that I’ve worked flat out for years and I needed some time to reevaluate things.”

“That’s good, Harlan. Do you think you’ll stay with Pharmacorp?”

He shrugged and pushed his hair, which had flopped over his forehead, out of his eyes. “Not sure. I like my job, but the pace is brutal, and I’ve realized lately that there are things that are more important.”

“Yeah, I get that. I had the same thoughts. Which is why I decided to have this baby on my own. I love my job, but the family I have by choice, my friends and the people in my life, are more important.” She was thinking of Aide, but Harlan seemed to get the wrong idea.

He sat forward, taking her hands in his. “Yes, you’re so right. It was why I sought you out. I’ve missed having you in my life, Rose.”

“Harlan, I love that you came and found me and that we can renew our friendship, but you have to know that’s all it can ever be. You’re like the brother I always wanted, and I care for you but not as anything more.”

“Is it the other guy?”

Rose knew he meant Aide and wanted to be honest with both him and herself. “Yes. We’re taking it slow, but I really think he could be the one.” She wanted to gush about Aide and all he did for her and all he meant to her but knew it wasn’t right to rub Harlan’s nose in it.

He dropped her hands and nodded. “I had to try.”

“I know but can we be friends? I’d really like that.”

“Yes, I’d like that too. So, tell me about your job. I want to hear every exciting fact.”

“You’ve been watching too much TV. It’s not as exciting as you think.”

“Humor me.”

She did and they fell into a long conversation about her work. She told him about her friends, and it was like the old Harlan—the one before hormones got involved—was back. He cracked jokes and made her laugh as they reminisced. As the clock struck the hour she wondered where Mack might be and checked her phone.

“Can I use your bathroom? That coffee went straight through me.”

“Yes, it’s off the laundry room behind the kitchen.”

She sent Mack a text as he walked off.

Mack quickly replied that she’d be there soon and was running late. As Rose was standing to clear the mugs away, she heard the key in the front door and turned to see Aide walking toward her.

She smiled, happy if a little surprised to see him, but a frown quickly covered her face as she watched Dax and Cruz walk in behind him. “Hey, you’re home early.” She waited for Aide to reach her and knew from the look on his face that something bad had happened.