Page 6 of Baking for His Omega (Omegas of Oliver Creek #13)

Kelly

“Are you sure? I just came to bring the cake.”

Gideon was standing there while our guests chatted in the background. His green eyes flitted behind me. The party was in full swing. It would be rude not to invite him to stay. After all, he’d made the cakes last minute and came back to deliver the smash cake. A second trip deserved an invite, at the very least.

“I’m absolutely sure,” I said, nudging Wyatt higher up my hip. “Please, come in. It’s a small party but you are welcome.”

He looked at me and then Wyatt. “It’s been a while since I was invited to a party,” he said, almost grumpy. Goddess, grumpy was cute on him.

“You can’t say that anymore. Come on in.”

My modest furniture was fine with us. I wondered what he thought of it. With a successful and thriving bakery, he lived in a big house with fine things inside.

I really needed to find out if he was mated.

Then again, I didn’t.

This was hard.

“Everyone, you might already know Gideon, the baker who saved the day. Gideon these are all of our new friends.”

Gideon waved but seemed a bit shy. Maybe he took a few minutes to warm up. I did that myself sometimes.

Several people walked up to him and began talking about his bakery and the cake. The smell of it filled the room with vanilla and sugar.

He smelled like a cake, and I wanted to eat him up.

No. Shit. No. I had to focus.

He smells so good because we belong to him. He’s our alpha. Make him stay.

“Should we go outside and let the kids play?” I asked everyone. There were only about ten people, including me and Gideon and Wyatt, but everyone was chatting and having a good time so far. One of my new friends was wearing one of the pointy hats that his son put on his head.

Dad life was silly sometimes.

“That’s so cute,” someone said.

“What is?” I asked. My thoughts were preoccupied with the bear who stayed on my flank. When I moved, he moved. When I walked, he walked. He was trying to stay near me, and I had to admit, I wasn’t sad about it. My deer was flipping out over his nearness.

“The pinata!” I hadn’t had time to put it up in the tree yet. It was in the shape of a car, and I’d filled it with treats the day before when Wyatt was napping.

“Oh, yeah. It is.”

“May I ask you something?” Gideon said. His voice dipped low, and my mind ran wild wondering what question couldn’t be asked louder. Wyatt got down to play with the other kids.

“Ask away.”

His green eyes met mine, entrancing me. His mouth moved, but I had no clue what words were coming out. Damn it. This man had me in a haze.

“What?” I asked, laughing.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I…it’s been a long day and you have really nice eyes.”

Gideon’s cheeks flushed. “Thank you. So do you. I asked you where Wyatt’s other father was, if that’s not too intrusive.”

It wasn’t. Everyone here knew about Judson. Some had asked; others, I’d offered up the information knowing they were wondering. At playdates, we could talk to other adults, sometimes our only chance all week.

“No. Not at all. He and I split up. Almost six months ago.”

Gideon nodded. “And he’s not coming today?”

I shook my head. Was he scoping things out? Wondering if I was single the way I was about him? “He’s not. He was invited but canceled at the last minute. And was supposed to bring the cake. No matter our situation, Wyatt needs to know his other father, but he isn’t coming.”

“He’s missing out. On you and Wyatt.”

My turn to blush. “Thanks.”

We stood side by side watching the kids play. All the parents talked to each other and Gideon joined in. He said he had lots of brothers and sisters so he knew a thing about taking care of little ones.

“How about I get that pinata strung up?” he asked, lightly touching my shoulder.

“That would be so nice. We have to hang it low for them.”

He winked at me. Winked. My knees wobbled and my tummy tightened. “Of course.”

Once the pinata was strung up, the parents helped with the swinging of the bat for the kids’ safety and everyone else’s. I’d picked up one of those little plastic bats, but it wasn’t strong enough to make a dent.

“Mind if I help them out?” Quinn asked.

“Not at all. Rip it open,” I replied.

Quinn opened the bottom of the pinata, and candy went everywhere. I’d provided cute bags to pick it up with, and the kids giggled while finding the candy strewn all over the yard.

Wyatt could’ve cared less.

Instead, he was tugging at Gideon’s pant leg and pumping his fists open and shut. He wanted Gideon to hold him, and I held my breath watching the scene unfold.

“Here, I’ll get him,” I said, not wanting to assume Gideon wanted to hold him.

“I’ve got him.” Gideon crouched down and lifted Wyatt up, and my heart turned to goo. Wyatt wrapped his arms around Gideon’s neck and laid his head on his shoulder. It had been a long day, and my fawn was already tired. We hadn’t even gotten to the smash cake yet.

If Judson hadn’t ruined me and my trust in alphas, I would’ve fallen for Gideon on the spot. I was afraid a small part of me already had. My deer wanted this male for his own.

I broke myself free of the building magic, rebelling against it. This wasn’t the right time, and I wasn’t in the headspace for this.

“Who’s up for cake?” I asked.

Everyone went inside, and Gideon walked over to me. “Did I make you upset? Picking him up?”

“No. Not at all.”