I have today and tomorrow off. Friday and Saturday as well. If you’re available to go out this week.
I doubted I could arrange a babysitter for tonight or tomorrow. Besides, it was still a school night for Monica. Plus, I didn’t know if I was ready to let someone else put Kirin to bed. A daytime date might be better.How about Saturday during the day?
Sure. Tell me where you would like to meet for coffee. We can figure out what to do after that.
I wasn’t sure I could handle anything after going out for coffee. It was already a big stretch simply leaving Kirin with someone else. I hadn’t planned it that way, but life had befallen me like that, and I needed time to adjust to not having my son with me.
Do you know where Rondack’s is?The place was known for its coffee, soup, and sandwiches, and was only a few blocks down the street from my apartment. I could walk there and still be close enough to rush home if I needed to.
I do now. Just looked it up. Meet you there at two on Saturday?
Sounds good. I’ll see you there.My stomach twisted as I hit send, and I thought I might vomit. As much as I wanted to see Blaze again, the idea of going on a date and leaving Kirin with a babysitter sent my mind into a spiral of doubt and worry.
Looking forward to it.
I wanted to be able to say the same. I was looking forward to the date, but my anxiety got in the way of all that hope and longing. I needed Saturday to arrive fast so I could get the date over with and deal with the afterglow or disappointment at the end of it all. It also didn’t help that my dragon had become harder to suppress since meeting Blaze. That would be okay if I was on my own, but how did I teach my son to control his dragon when mine had suddenly decided to fight for dominance?
Chapter Six
Blaze
“Thank you.” I took my drink from the server at the counter to find a table. One where I could sit with my back to a wall and watch those coming in and out of the coffee shop. It was an instinct I couldn’t fight. Plus, I wanted to be able to see Ladon when he walked in. If he walked in and didn’t stand me up.
I’d arrived at Rondack’s a few minutes early to scope out the place, hoping my date hadn’t arrived before me. As soon as I’d opened the door, I was hit with the scent of coffee and soup. Multiple kinds of both, with the smells complementing each other rather than battling for supremacy while leaving stomachs turning in disgust instead of hunger. There were maybe three dozen two or four-person tables spread around a long display counter filled with racks of delicious-looking pastries.
Once I found the spot I wanted, I took a seat and sipped at the black coffee I’d ordered. As a firefighter, I drank so much coffee, I didn’t think it affected me anymore, yet, I didn’t want to take space at a table without having ordered something. I figured when Ladon arrived, we’d order more or leave to spend our date elsewhere.
Being out on a date for the first time since moving to Saramto seemed long overdue. At least according to those I worked with. Yet, my last date back in Hawthorne had ended with me finding out my soon-to-be mate was having sex with our waiter, the accountant at the next table over, and who knew how many others around town. It was not a moment I wanted to ever repeat in my life.
My dragon kept reminding me that Ladon wasn’t Dennis, because he liked the omega from Saramto with the kid. That had never been the case with Dennis, the omega son of the mayor of Hawthorne. A huge reason why I’d left the town after our verypublic breakup. That and the mayor’s threat to cut funding to the local fire department if I didn’t expunge his son’s reputation.
I longed to move past all that and find an omega who wanted to be with me. Not one who “had never been with a dragon before.” I’d had plenty of offers like that since moving to the city. I didn’t want to be an experiment for anyone, or a box to check off.
“Blaze? Hi.”
I shook myself out of my thoughts to see Ladon on the other side of the table from me. I hadn’t even seen him approach. Immediately, I stood to greet him but paused for a moment as my heart raced in my chest. I didn’t know whether to give him a hug or a kiss or just a simple hello.
My dragon pushed me from within. Reaching for Ladon’s fingers to steady myself, I brushed my lips over his cheek. “It’s good to see you again. I’m glad you’re here.”
His cheeks flushed as he smiled and glanced down at the table. “Sorry I made you wait.”
“Not at all.” I pulled out his chair for him, taking in his sweet omega scent. Every time I saw him, it seemed to be more alluring. “I was here early and decided to get a coffee.”
He nodded as he sat. “I used to be always early until I had Kirin. Now, that is a challenge. Some days more than others.”
I smiled and returned to my seat, having no idea what getting a kid ready for anything was like. I’d never been responsible for anyone but myself. “Have you eaten yet?”
He shook his head. “I made Kirin lunch before leaving him with Monica, but I haven’t had anything myself. I figured since we’re here, we would eat here.” He suddenly covered his mouth. “Sorry. I’m babbling. I’m just nervous. This is my first date.”
I looked at him, confused. “Ever?” How could anyone with a child never have gone on a date before?
Chewing on the corner of his lip, he nodded. “Yeah. Kirin’s dad and I just kind of hung out. But I’m sure you don’t want to hear any of that.”
I leaned back in my seat. “You can tell me anything about yourself. I want to know more about you.”
His cheeks flushed again as he played with his hands on the table. “I am hungry. Would it be okay to order now?”
“Sure.” I quickly glanced over my shoulder to see if there was a lineup at the counter, only spotting one person. “Do you know what you want? Or do you want to come up to the counter with me to order?”
