“I saw them hugging,” Mik pointed out. “It looked intimate.”
“Well, perhaps they’re just friends,” Malek pointed out. “Maybe go over and confront them.”
“That’s way too drastic. Don’t you think? I’m not even supposed to be here. Besides, have you ever known me to be so forceful?”
“Well, if you want to get your mate, you might want to try it out,” Malek said. “You aren’t going to get what you want unless you go for it. I know that for certain, so get in there and get what’s yours.”
“And make a scene?” Mik was askance at the suggestion.
“If necessary,” Malek’s voice was exasperated. “This is your mate, and you need to fight for him. Damn it, don’t be such a wimp. Go get him already!”
Mik wanted nothing more, but so many things were holding him back. For starters, he wasn’t sure how Ro would feel about him chasing him down. He could consider it either romantic or creepy. There really was no middle ground there.
“I’m just not ready to face him. Not when it’s clear to me that I’m not even on his mind.” He hesitated, the image of his mate in another man’s arms could not leave his mind. “You should have seen them hugging. That wasn’t just a friendly hug. They are close.”
Malek groaned on the other end of the phone. “Mik, you’re making this more difficult than it needs to be. What are you afraid of?”
Again, Mik had so many answers to that question. “The list is too long, but for starters… he’s going to think I’m a stalker.”
Malek chuckled, and in the background, he could hear Axel laughing as well.
Mikhail frowned. “What is so funny?” He continued to pace.
“You are,” Axel said. “My brother is freaking out as much as you are. Granted, for different reasons.”
“And I’m laughing because, well, you’re a stalker,” Malek added.
“Gee, thanks a lot,” Mik grumbled.
“You’re stalker adjacent, no question.” Axel laughed at his own joke. “But, come on…the gesture is also sweet. You’re going after your mate. He might actually like that you followed after him. I would.”
“You know I would have followed you wherever you went,” Malek said.
“Aww, babe.” Axel kissed his brother, then whispered, “Love you.”
“Still here,” Mikhail said, his tone dry.
“And Axel is right, so stop dithering,” Malek instructed. “Go and see what’s going on.”
Mik rolled his eyes and turned towards the café again. This time, though, his mate wasn’t facing away. In fact, he was looking straight at Mikhail, and their eyes met.
“Shit,” Mik cursed, frozen. His brain was telling him to duck, but he seemed stuck in place.
“What? What’s happening?” Malek asked.
Well, his options were clearly limited now. “Gotta go,” Mik said and hung up the call. He waved, and Rowan just stared at him. Well, this was a great start, but he thoughtfuck itand began walking across the street and straight into the café.
“No turning back now it seems,” Mikhail muttered.
“Mikhail,” Rowan’s mouth fell open, and he had an incredulous, dazed look in his eyes.
“Rowan… you’re coming with me.” Mik hadn’t been sure what he was going to say, but apparently, his brain had some ideas.
Mikhail’s eyes shifted to the table ready to tell the man he’d seen embracing his mate that Rowan was his, but his eyes widened instead as he took in what was going on.
The man that had been hugging Rowan placed a kiss on top of the head of another man who was leaning against him and whispered, "I love you," to him, and the other man replied, "love you too."
“Mikhail?” Ro said again. “What are you doing here?”
