"Yes, I presumed this was the case, seeing as there are no wallet shaped bulges in your pockets of any kind, and I doubt you would carry such an important item in the back of the stroller," Ulysses said. "Perhaps I did not make my suggestion clear enough. I will complete the purchase with my own funds. Do not worry your handsome little head, Ryan."
My jaw fell open for what was probably the tenth time today. Now I was wondering if I had heardhimcorrectly.
"No, I can't let you do that," I began, waving my hands in a flustered manner.
"Hush," Ulysses said simply. "It is of no detriment to me, and it will make you happy, will it not?"
I shut my mouth. My cheeks were burning up. Not trusting myself to talk without it coming out in a high-pitched squeak, I nodded instead.
"Then it's settled," Ulysses said. "Now let us enjoy the festivities. I will carry the bag designated for the picnic."
Without waiting for my approval, he slung the bag and all its contents over his shoulder. It wasn't exactly light considering I used glass containers I'd found at the thrift store instead of plastic ones, but Ulysses didn't complain once.
"Let me know if it's too much, then we can switch," I said.
"There is a very low probability that I will tire," he replied. "Don't worry about me."
In any other alphas mouth, the statement might have sounded arrogant. Ulysses was a little haughty but not in an unpleasant way. It sounded like he was telling the truth, not trying to show off. Honestly, I could've figured that out myself just by looking at his body. He was broad shouldered and muscular without going overboard, yet he still managed to appear streamlined and sleek. The pure white button-down shirt he wore clung nicely to his chest and arms, not leaving much to the imagination.
"Coming, Ryan?" Ulysses asked.
I shook out of my daze and reminded myself to not stare at him. It was rude, even if hewasthe most attractive man I'd ever seen.
I took Andrew's hand and led him down the hill as we made our way back to the festivities. The crowds had thankfully died down, as if Ulysses's presence acted like a ward to keep others away. Wouldn't it have been funny if Andrew was right about Ulysses being magical? The thought amused me.
"Ah," Ulysses said. "One moment. Let me dispose of this."
Ulysses found the nearest garbage can and—as me and a bunch of other onlookers gawked—crumpled up the broken stroller until it was the size of a soccer ball, then placed it neatly in the receptacle.
"How did you do that?" I asked, my eyes still wide.
"With my hands," Ulysses replied, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
I burst out laughing, then Andrew joined in. He thought it was particularly hilarious when things got smashed into smaller things. Apparently, I had the same sense of humour as a two-year-old. Or maybe being around Ulysses was just making me giddy.
He returned to my side with a bright smile. "Mission complete. Off we go."
I noticed that people moved out of the way for Ulysses. Was it annoying that people respected a large muscular alpha more than a single omega dad? A little. Still, I wasn't complaining. Being by his side felt like I was in the presence of a celebrity or something. There was an aura about him that was special. It made my skin tingle pleasantly, like the sun warming it.
But I didn't get it. Ulysses could have picked up any single person here that he wanted, so why had he chosen me?
Geez, Ryan. He didn't pick me up, I thought.Not in a dating way. He's just trying to be nice, probably because I looked pathetic.
The thought sobered me. That was true. This wasn't a date. We were just two guys walking around in a park together. It didn't mean anything.
"Chewwy bossom," Andrew cried out.
My son's exclamation pulled me from my thoughts. He reached for the falling blossoms from the nearest tree, but they were far too high up.
Ulysses kneeled down to Andrew's level. "Would you like a blossom?" When Andrew nodded vigorously, Ulysses chuckled and stood back up. "A man of fine taste."
We watched in wonder as Ulysses lifted his hand into the air. At first, nothing happened. I thought he was just waiting for the right moment to strike and grab a falling petal. But then, the wind rustled. A second later, a handful of petals zoomed right into his hand, as if flying towards Ulysses of their own accord.
Ulysses opened his palm. "There you go. Enough for everyone."
"Yay!" Andrew squealed and took a tiny handful of petals. He stuffed one into his mouth, apparently forgetting that I'd told him they don't taste like cotton candy, then spit them out.
"You don't like how they taste?" Ulysses asked, smiling as he placed one on his tongue. "I think they're quite delicious."
