He shrugged. “If you insist.”
We ate in silence for a few minutes, then the server who had taken my order brought over another burger plate with a double serving of fries. “On the house.”
Before she left, I asked what kind of pie they had, and when she mentioned coconut cream, I saw my mate’s eyes light up. “Two slices of that, please,” I said before digging back into my lunch. “Best burger I’ve ever had.”
“We do a good one,” the server agreed, winking, her false eyelash so heavy, I thought it might not come up again.
When we were alone again, he trailed a fry through a puddle of ketchup. “Don’t pay any attention to Layla. She flirts with everyone, but she’s a good person.”
“I can tell. No offense here.” I finished my half of the second burger and leaned back in the seat. “That was great. I think I just have room for pie.”
“Our pies are home baked for us. The coconut is the best one.” The omega was still eating, and, since he was on the thin side, I was worried that he didn’t get enough other times.
“Do you get free meals here?”
“I do, when I’m on shift. Gary always feeds me.” He ate three fries together. Maybe he got enough here, but for sure not otherwise. His brothers were shifters, but he was not. There had to be a story there, but I’d ask about it later, when we knew each other better.
For now… “Would you mind if I wait for you to get off shift?”
“You don’t have to do that. I’m all right.” He chewed on his lip. “But if you want to, I guess that would be all right.”
“Thank you.” I dug my phone out of my pocket and turned it on. “I need to make a quick call. Don’t eat all the pie if she brings it. Save me a bite.”
He grinned, like sunshine coming from behind clouds. “No promises.” I loved him making a joke.
Sliding out of the booth, I turned my phone on and stepped out onto the sidewalk. As it came up, I had a whole lot of notifications. From Dad, the betas, the people I was supposed to be visiting with…and, of course, Father.
The others could wait. I dialed Father. Everything had changed, but it was yet to be revealed how it would go from this point. I just couldn’t have them searching for me or assuming something had gone wrong.
“Son, where are you?”
“At a diner, having lunch. Dad, I’m having car trouble, so I mailed the documents to keep them from being delayed.” Documents, purchase order… “It’s going to be a few days before I can get home.”
“I can tell when you’re lying.” His voice was low, dangerous. Lying to one’s alpha had never been recommended. I’d argued and caused all kinds of fuss, but I’d never gotten a lie past him. “So, spill it.”
“Fine. I met my mate.” I held my breath, waiting for his reaction.
“Great, bring him home with you. We can’t wait to meet him.” I heard muffled conversation and a squeal. “Dad wants to know what he likes to eat.”
“I can say with some certainty he likes coconut cream pie.”
“Perfect. We will have one ready when you get here.” I turned away from the restaurant where a couple at the front table were watching. Not that I thought they could read my lips, but a little privacy at some moments was needed.
“I can’t bring him home yet. He doesn’t know we’re mates. He’s human, but his brothers are shifters.”
“Your dad and I want to know more about this.”I must be on speaker now.
“I just met him, and I will tell you more later. I just didn’t want you to worry.” When I’d shut off the phone, I hadn’t even thought of that. “So, I’m going to hang up, and I’ll let you know when I’m, or hopefully we are, coming home.”
“Son, if he doesn’t want this life, you’re going to have choices to make. And we’re here for you if you need us.”
Father and I had been arguing so much for so long, I didn’t know where to go with the offer. I’d seen him as an adversary, as someone who had one goal for me whether I wanted it or not, but maybe I’d been wrong.
“Thank you.”
We spoke a minute or two more and hung up, then I went back inside to find our pie had arrived and my mate had eaten his piece but left mine alone. I picked up both forks, handed him one, and said, “Let’s share.”
After the last bit of cream and crumb of crust were devoured, Temple had to go back to work, and his boss said I could continue to occupy the booth unless it got busy. It didn’t, so I stayed, catching glimpses of him through the pass-through and enjoying the faint scent of my mate even in a diner with everything being fried.
