Page 4

CHAPTER 4

RYLAN

Everyone at Medina Manufacturing was so nice. I couldn't believe I'd landed such an amazing job. From the moment I stepped through the doors it felt like I was where I needed to be.

Now if only I could get over the stupid crush I had on my boss, then I'd be fine.

My first week of work is spent mostly trying to analyze what the team had been working on prior to my arrival. The company wants to start a new campaign in the spring and now is the time to get all the details ironed out.

"I really think we need more jewel tones in this ad. You're trying to reach Omegas, people who are known for wanting the best of things. We're hoarders by nature. Nesting is just one sign of it. Going for dainty, even though it's springtime, would be a bad call," I tell the team as I sip a cup of tea.

I'd become addicted to the stuff ever since Ezra shared a sip of his drink with me my second day here. I now start every day with a cup of tea and a heavy dose of what I'm calling 'Boss Watching' in my head. It's the time period where I get to work super early and wait in my car to watch people come in. Or namely, one person.

Zeke Medina.

The man is everything I could want in an Alpha. If only... there's no pull there. Not a scent drawn one anyway. My body wants him. That much I could tell from the first handshake. But I need to know for sure that the Alpha I join with is the one I'm meant to be with.

I can't say for a fact that Zeke is the one. I'd love for him to be. Life isn't fair like that though.

"I see what you mean, Ry. It's just hard for me to picture this all coming together the way you're suggesting." Ezra leans over the desk, his gaze sweeping over the layout.

Maeve and Copper are out grabbing lunch while we rehash the plan again. Neither Ezra nor I want to give up our idea. It's like two opposing sides who just won't budge.

Taking a risk, I reach my free hand up to grab a piece of the design. "May I?"

Ezra nods as he takes a step back. "Be my guest. I'd love to see what you do. It's just not there for me."

With that encouraging word I get to work. My tea goes to the table full of plastic container samples and my mind runs free. I move piece after piece until I feel the design is perfect. Then I bring in more color options to show the layers in which this production could go in.

The choices are bold. Bolder than Medina has ever done, I'm sure. But I truly think it could be the thing that helps expand the company in a new way.

"This is..."

"Magnificent," a voice I instantly recognize calls out from the doorway. I turn to find Zeke standing there like a sentry at the gate.He steps further into the room, his gaze locked on mine rather than the design.

Ezra chuckles while leaning over the desktop. "Magnificent is definitely a better word than I could have come up with. I feel there is so much happening here that I can't take it all in. But like, in a good way."

My head swivels to look at Ezra to avoid staring at Zeke any longer. He's too potent, too tempting, for me to keep watching.

"You really think so? I tried to make it new and different while still sticking to the Medina brand." I rub my hands down my jeans, needing to get the sweat off them. Sharing ideas like this always made me nervous. It doesn't help with Zeke being here.

"If you won't believe me, then believe the boss. What do you say Zeke?" Ezra steps back to give the other man room to step forward.

I watch as he looks over the setup closely. He takes his time going over every piece inch by inch, as if he's trying to uncover the thought process I had to come up with the design. Good luck with that. I don't know how I do it either. It's like my mind sees the colors and shapes, then it just shuffles them around for me.

"This is one of the best layouts I've seen in a long time. No offense, Ezra."

Ezra laughs sharply. "None taken. I have to agree."

"This is just the first thing you've worked on?" he asks. I nod in response. "Then I can't wait to see what you come up with next. Ezra, help him expand this across the Spring line. I want a full workup by the end of the month. Then we can get ahead for the shoots and packaging changes we'll need to make."

"Got it, boss. Anything else?"

"Nope. We're good. See you both later." Zeke makes another hasty exit right as Maeve and Copper return loaded down with food.

"What's up with him?" Maeve asks while Copper shoves a fry in his mouth.

I shake my head at the two as I turn back to the design. "Don't ask me. He and Ezra are the friends here."

Ezra leans on the table, which draws my attention up to him. He's giving me a look that tells me he might realize I have a crush on his friend. I really hope he doesn't bring it up, especially in front of the others.

Thankfully he chooses to let me keep my secrets. "He's fine. The man is trying to juggle about a million things, and it's got to be a lot. Plus, we've got a basketball game later with the kids at the rec center. We volunteer on Thursday nights there."

"The rec center? I still don't know what all this town has," I admit to the trio.

Copper nods in understanding. "Totally makes sense. I've lived here my whole life and still find out new things from time to time."

"As for tonight, if you're up for it, come by the center around six thirty. It's near the main part of town, except instead of heading to the post office, you'll turn away from it and take Magnolia St. until it dead ends. Can't miss it."

I nod at Ezra. "Magnolia street, got it." I don't know why I'm so intrigued, but I can't let go of the vision of Zeke helping little kids play basketball. It's enough to make me risk getting turned around just to see it in person."

"Now then, let's show these two the magic you made while they were away," Ezra says as he points towards the design on the table.

* * *

After work, I go home to eat dinner and decide if I'm really going to go through with it. Will I truly show up at the rec center just because Ezra says I should?

It feels too good to be true. Like maybe it's a joke or something.

After nearly an hour of debating it, I decide that going won't hurt. If nothing else, then Ezra will be there, and I can chat with him. Who knows? Maybe I'll even make a new friend or two. It's not like I've been going out or anything since the move. I've been too focused on the job itself to do much else.

The drive to the center is easy enough. I follow the directions from Ezra and soon enough I'm pulling up outside. The parking lot is pretty full, so I pick a spot off to the side and check the time. Six-thirty on the dot.

Knowing what awaits me, I push down the nervousness I feel to go inside. The minute I step through the door, a grin pulls across my face. Children of all ages are running around, some on the basketball court, others up and down the sidelines. It's a big open space with bleacher style seating beside the court. I see stations set up with activities for some really small kids, and there's even what looks to be a nursery.

My Omega senses tingle at the thought of one day bringing my own kids here. I shouldn't be thinking such things, but it's been harder and harder to control since Mr. Hot as Sin, aka my boss Zeke Medina, showed up in my life.

"First time?" A voice asks me as I stand a few steps from the entrance.

I turn to see a face I'd recognize anywhere. Michael Medina. Father to Zeke and the previous CEO of Medina Manufacturing.

"It is. How could you tell?" I try to keep the nervousness from my tone. I'm inadvertently meeting Zeke's dad for the first time. It kind of feels like a really big deal.

The older man laughs at me as he claps a hand on my shoulder. "Because I looked the same way the first time I stepped through the door, only I was about a third your height. Been coming ever since and even convinced my boy to help out from time to time."

"Sounds like a great family legacy," I tell him.

He smiles at me, his cheeks rounding completely in a way that sends joy radiating through me as well. "It truly is. I'm thankful he'll have those memories of me, even when I don't."

The words leave me confused. I'm not sure what he meant by that, but it doesn't sound good.

"Michael! There you are. We've been looking for you. You know you can't wander off." An Omega and an almost exact replica of him stand side by side, their hands on their hips as they face off the man beside me.

He snorts a laugh, then loops his arm through mine. "I was just trying to be a good person by welcoming our newest victim. I mean, newest volunteer."

"Oh no! I'm not good with sports. Or really anything athletic. I'm just here because Ezra suggested I come by. He said I would have a good time."

"You know Ezra?” the Omega across from me asks.

I nod. "I do. He and I work together. My name is Rylan. So sorry. I don't know where my manners are."

"Rylan? Oh! Oh my gosh. This is going to be epic. So nice to meet you. I'm Osvaldo, but you can call me Oz or Ozzy if you like. I know it's a mouthful. This is my son, Johnathan. And I see you've already met my friend Michael."

"I have. He's been a delight," I say around a laugh as I pat the hand holding my arm.

"Let's get seated. I need a hot dog and some popcorn to make it through this thing. You want something, kiddo?" At first I think Michael is asking Johnathon, the young boy. It's not until I turn to see them all looking at me that I realize I'm the one he's waiting for.

I shake my head quickly as my free hand pats my stomach. "None for me. I ate before I came. I didn't know there would be concessions. Ezra didn't tell me much about what all went on here."

"Bet he didn't," Ozzy mumbles as he leads us to some seats. I have a feeling there's more to this entire situation than I know about. I can't quite figure out what it could be though.

No sooner than we're seated do Ozzy and Johnathon head off to get the food. I'm left in the stands with Michael watching the little kids finish warmups. As my eyes moves across the court I get my first glimpse of Zeke. It's enough that I nearly gasp aloud.

Gone is the serious businessman in a suit. He's in nothing more than basketball shorts and a hoodie. As I watch, he bends down to speak to a little boy who can't be more than five of six years old. He tells him to do something, then watches as the boy tries it out. I'm guessing he gets it right because Zeke is cheering and hugging the kid afterwards.

Crap. He couldn't just be handsome. No, he had to be good with kids too. How do I resist that?