“Totally.” She leaned on the counter. “So, wait. If he’s an alpha, and you’re an omega, does that mean you’re pregnant?”
I tried to ignore the growing uneasy sensation in my gut. “Just because I’m an omega doesn’t mean I get pregnant the instant I date an alpha.”
“I know, I know,” she said. “I was just curious, is all. I wondered if seeing your brother’s baby sparked some omega switch inside you or something.”
I groaned. “I know you’re mostly joking but…”
Jess’s eyes widened. “Did it? Oh my god, Caleb!”
A customer came into the store and started perusing the snack aisle. He didn’t look like he immediately needed our help, so Jess greeted him, then we lowered our voices and continued our conversation.
“It’s not like I want to have a babyright at this moment,” I told her. “But now I feel like… it might be something I want eventually?”
“You are so cute,” Jess said. “My Caleb, all grown up and wanting a baby.”
“Oh, shut up,” I mumbled.
“Can I be the baby’s godmother?”
“There is no baby!”
She grinned. “Yeah, but there totally will be.”
I blushed, not because of the intimate discussion but because I was genuinely nervous that Iwaspregnant already. “We’ll see.”
“If it’s a girl, you should name it after me,” Jess teased.
But as Jess spoke, a growing sense of unease crawled upon me. The unsettled feeling in my stomach returned, more powerful this time. Sweat broke out on my forehead and I gripped the counter hard.
“Caleb? You okay?” Jess asked.
“Yeah,” I mumbled. “My stomach’s just bothering me a little.” I tried to think of an excuse. “Maybe a delayed reaction to the stress or something.”
She nodded in understanding. “That can definitely happen.”
I was vaguely aware of Jess offering me a seat in the background, but my mind was currently focused on two things. One, the growing turmoil in my gut, and two, the lone customer who came in to presumably buy a snack, and so far had done nothing except walk around the store while avoiding eye contact with us.
The memory of the robber flashed in my mind, and I grew even more anxious. My stomach lurched like I was on a rollercoaster, and not in a good way.
“Earth to Caleb,” Jess said loudly. “Can you hear me?”
“Huh?”
“I asked if you wanted some water or something,” she said.
“Um… Sure,” I replied, not really paying attention.
“Okay. I’ll be right back.”
As soon as Jess left, I regretted sending her away. I was alone with the customer, who was still walking around slowly and not picking anything up. My heart rate accelerated.
Is it going to happen again?I thought desperately.Please don’t leave me alone with him!
This time, there was no Adriel to save me. If something were to happen, he wouldn’t be here to protect me.
I clutched the edge of the counter so hard my knuckles turned white. Sweat dripped down my brow. At the same time, a hideous sensation curled in my stomach, and I knew I was going to be sick.
Nausea rose up within me. I couldn’t take it anymore. I scrambled to the bathroom in the back, practically pushing Jess out of the way as I locked myself in and purged the sickness.
