I take a seat on the toilet, sighing as I rest my head in my hands. As I’m contemplating how to sneak out of the restaurant without Oscar seeing me, someone enters the bathroom.
At first, I think they’re talking to me when I hear a warm voice say, “It’s okay.”
I startle and go to reply, but she speaks again.
“I don’t know. He’s sweet. Better than I expected.”
The stall door next to mine creaks open.
A soft chuckle echoes against the tile. “Yes, he’s hot.” Another pause and the sound of rustling. “Ugh, shut up! That’s not going to happen. I don’t care if he’s bangable, that’s not why we’re here.”
I feel like an absolute creep lurking in the stall next to this omega, listening to her conversation, but there’s something soothing about her voice. Besides, I’m not ready to go out there and face my date, which seems to be a train wreck compared to hers.
I feel even creepier for listening when she pees. “Yes, I’m pissing!” she huffs to whoever is on the other end of her call. “You’re the one who wanted an update, so deal with it.”
My smile at her sass is the first genuine one I’ve made all night.
“It’s weird…yeah…exactly. I mean, I’m glad we can’t, but it’s like my body still senses what he is? Which could be good, or it could be leading me to like him more than I would otherwise.”
She sighs and I have the terrible compulsion to go out of the stall and offer her a hug when she’s done. There’s a rustle of toilet paper and another laugh, then she’s flushing and leaving the stall.
I wait for her to wash her hands, hang up with whoever she’s talking to, and leave before I slink out of my stall.
My sallow reflection startles me. For a minute, I’d forgotten how shitty I feel.
I scowl as I wash my hands, noticing a fleck of oyster on my collar. The soap has an unusual scent. It reminds me of those candy hearts you get with little messages on them. I forget what they’re called. I let out a soft groan at the smell, bringing my hands to my mouth to get a better sniff.
Huh, it’s not the soap.
Whatever it is, it smells amazing. Intoxicating. Makes me want to find the source and lick it.
Damn, I thought I’d gotten the alcohol out of my system, but I guess I’m tipsy.
Just how I want to feel when I go back out there to finish up this bad date. Fuzzy and warm and a touch horny. Please, dear god don’t let him be able to smell that last part.
I wash my mouth out as best I can, ignoring the tingly way I’m feeling and how I’m growing a little slick. I’m sure it’ll go away when I’m back at the table and have to explain why I was gone and find a way to finish up this date as fast as possible.
There’s a pang of envy for the mystery omega and her date. Clearly, she was into him, despite her trepidation.
Must be nice.
chapter 6
. . .
RUBY
There’s a goofy,far too hopeful grin splitting my lips as I hang up the mid-date check-in call with my bestie, Alana. We’ve both been on enough terrible first dates to have a system in place, though it feels a lot more one-sided now that she’s packed up and getting ready for her bonding ceremony. Damn her for finding one of the few decent packs left in the city and leaving me to my fate of singledom.
Although…maybe that’s not my fate. I’m gettingwaytoo ahead of myself, riding high on how things are going. There’s been the typical blind date awkwardness, and it’s clear that he’s very nervous, but I like Beau. So far, at least. With my luck, we’ll get a little further into our conversation and I’ll find out he’s part of the alpha rights movement. Or a clown.
I shudder, and resolve to find out more about this man before I let myself feel all fluttery. My omega will make it hard, since she’s practically purring every time Beau looks at me, but I have lots of practice tamping her down so I don’t make dumb decisions.
Beau is looking at his phone when I return from the bathroom, giving me a moment to observe him.
He’s handsome. Not in a typical, chiseled and polished model way, but that’s never been my type. He’s the perfect blend of bulk and ruggedness, with touches of gentle sweetness. Like his eyes. He’s got beautiful blue-green eyes that make my head go a bit fuzzy when I look directly into them, especially when his blond lashes flutter and the corners crinkle when he laughs. And god, his lips. I’m a sucker for nice lips, and his are so plush and pretty and inviting.
I wonder if he’d hate me thinking about his pretty lips. If it’d insult him for me to point out the parts of him that aren’t typical strong alpha features.
