GRAY
Istared at a small crack in the ceiling above my bed. Usually, I got up the moment my alarm sounded, but I wanted to delay the start of this day as much as possible.
It was Westin’s birthday. Not that she’d told me—I’d seen it on her ID and, for some inexplicable reason I didn’t want to think too seriously about, had programmed it into my phone. I was bracing myself to watch her be fawned over all day long. Omegas were obsessed with being spoiled and getting attention, and I’m sure she’d have friends all around her to celebrate today.
I finally got out of bed and into the shower. I grasped my hard cock—only hard because it was the morning, not because I was imagining certain pouty lips around it and silvery hair wrapped tight around my hand. I groaned as I came embarrassingly fast.
I pressed my hands against the tile shower, trying to get a grip. Being cold to Westin felt wrong, and I couldn’t understand why. She was the one who had lied to me.
I quickly finished getting ready and left to pick Westin up. She had that flat, blank expression as she walked out of the house, saying a polite “good morning” as she got in the car. Ikept glancing back at her in the rearview mirror, part of me wishing she’d insisted on sitting next to me again. She looked tired today. There were dark marks under her eyes, and she kept rubbing her neck.
I parked on the street in front of the bakery, keeping an eye on our surroundings as we headed inside. There had been no further letters from the stalker, but I had been notified last night that the police had released her attacker on bail. I hadn’t told Westin yet, and I wasn’t sure why. The thought of her being afraid didn’t sit right with me.
“Hey, Westin.” Ben gave her a little wave as we walked into the bakery. “Josie asked if you could get the espresso machine set up. It’s acting up and she said you fixed it last time.”
“Of course,” Westin responded, her voice bright.
If I knew what was good for me, I would leave. There was no reason for me to stay. But every morning, I stuck around for a cup of coffee and a pastry.
Josie emerged from the kitchen a while later. “You are a lifesaver,” she said as Westin got the machine working. “Or a witch. The machine only listens to you.”
Westin grinned, handing her a latte. “Extra caramel in there for you.”
“That’s it, you’re getting a raise,” Josie said, holding the mug close to her body.
They chatted for a while longer, but Josie didn’t wish Westin a happy birthday, and Westin didn’t say anything. I pulled out my phone, checking the picture I’d taken of Westin’s ID to make sure I didn’t have the date wrong.
I didn’t.
Westin dropped off a latte and cinnamon roll in front of me, turning on her heel before I could say anything. I shifted in my chair, feeling weirdly uncomfortable.
I finished breakfast as the bakery opened and snuck out the door as the first customers entered.
I staredat Westin through the window as she served the next group of customers. Her shift was over in a few minutes and I couldn’t understand what was happening. I’d assumed there would be presents and balloons in the bakery, maybe a party planned, but there was nothing. The only thing that made sense was that Westin hadn’t told anyone about her birthday.
She glanced up and saw me outside the window. Her smile fell, and she quickly averted her gaze.
I wanted her eyes back on me, and I hated myself for it.
About ten minutes later, she came out the front door.
“Hi,” she said softly. Her tote bag swung on her shoulder as she shifted her weight. “I thought I might go roller skating for a bit.”
I clenched my jaw. “You want me to stand around while you skate?”
“Oh.” Her breath hitched slightly. “Umm, well, I could just go on my own?”
My chest clenched with fear at the thought of her out alone with her attacker on the loose. “Without protection? Why would you do that unless you don’t think there’s any threat to you?” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them, and I wished I could take them back.
I’d never seen Westin cry, but for a moment, I thought she might. Her brown eyes grew wide and glassy before she closed them and took a deep breath. She opened her eyes again, her jaw set as she met my gaze.
“If you could just take me home, then, that’d be great. I have a stop I’d like to make, but it’s on the way.”
“Fine,” I said, knowing I was being completely unreasonable. I hated how sad she looked, and hated that I had put that expression there.
She got in the back without arguing. The stop she wanted to make was a fast-food restaurant. I’d never seen her eat fast food. Well, I hardly saw her eat anything except for the occasional bakery item.
We parked by the restaurant and I stayed hot on her heels as we headed inside. When she got to the counter, she showed the cashier something on her phone.
