“You are eating for two. Come on. I’ll heat it up for you.”
Before the spinach, feta meatballs, and roasted potatoes were heated up, the men from the moving company were gone. We’d hired them out of convenience. Evander wasn’t sure he could get off to bring all the boxes before my lease was up and insisted I not do it.
It was easier to pay someone else to do it.
I ate my fill and began unpacking boxes of books. We’d bought some shelves to go in the living room. Plus, built-ins providing extra rooms.
Evander came into the room and let out a low growl.
“What was that for?” I asked.
“I never thought I’d meet my mate but you’re here, nesting in our house, our baby inside you. It’s quite the sight for an alpha.”
“We have more to do on the nursery before I’m due.”
He nodded. “We have to order furniture. All you have to do is click “buy now” on your lists. I’ve been saving for these moments, omega. I know you fret over finances, but we have the means, and if we buy high-quality items, then we can keep them for the other children.”
I rubbed my belly. “I haven’t even gotten this one out yet. But you do have a point. It would save us money in the long run.”
After the books were put up, Evander insisted I put my feet up. Somewhere in his schedule, he’d managed to make me acookie-butter cheesecake and also insisted I eat it while getting a foot rub from him.
He taught me what life was all about. Living in harmony. Loving each other. Being kind even when arguing about something. Making sure your mate felt loved. Feeling safe.
Trusting my alpha with my whole life.
Chapter Nineteen
Evander
“Don’t you think I’m a little big to play?” Hudson sat beside me in one of the new cars we’d bought just the day before. My two-seater, we agreed, was anything but a good choice for a family vehicle, and his car was old and questionably reliable. My omega had protested that it was too much, that we could get by with one and keep one we already had, but I overruled him. “As your alpha, I insist we have two good family cars.”
He dropped his protests.
But he was arguing about going to the club. We hadn’t been in a few weeks, and even before that, we had limited our visits to socializing since the start of his third trimester. Normally, I wouldn’t have cared about going if he preferred to stay home. But tonight was special, and barring him feeling sick or exhausted, we had to show up.
“We’ll just go and chat for a little. It’s good for you to get out and see other omegas.”
“If you say so,” he grumbled. “But I don’t see why it’s such a big deal. You’re there almost every night of the week anyway.”
“In the kitchen. There are a couple of other owners from Cuffed who plan to be there tonight, and we’re going to visit. Tomorrow, we’ll have some official meetings, but this is a nice way for me as the newest owner to break the ice.”
“Okay, I understand. I didn’t realize you had business to transact.” My omega’s voice softened. “I’m just a little tired and grouchy.”
“We won’t stay long. I’m anxious for you to meet them as well.” With the majority of the investors in the other city, it was rare that they came up this way, and Gatlin had been adamant that I should come tonight if at all possible. “I would havementioned it to you sooner, but I thought you’d be glad to come. We’ll put in an appearance and leave. They all have families themselves, so they will understand.”
“You take as long as you need to, and I’ll just relax and have a cold drink and a snack.”
“I have the most understanding omega. Maybe we can go out tomorrow night for dinner.”
“Or a breakfast date?”
“That sounds even nicer.” My omega loved breakfast dates. “My meetings won’t be until afternoon, so it’s perfect.”
We arrived at the club and parked in my slot. It was the same one I had as head chef, but they had changed the title next to my name.
“Lot’s crowded,” Hudson said. “Must be a busy night.”
“I think so. We’ll go in the back.” As the owner’s mate, and technically an owner himself since we shared all assets, Hudson could hold on to his phone now. Not that he could whip it out and take pictures. Nor would he. Privacy of our membership was important to us. That never changed. “Something’s wrong here.” The kitchen was empty. It was never without at least some staff member at this time. “Where could they all be?”
