Page 14

Micah

Over the next few weeks, we spent as much time together as possible. I was busy getting ready for the spring festival attendees, but we had dinner together just about every night, and Edwin even helped me a little in the shop, wrapping the molded chocolates. He had a skill with making things look nice—just one more quality I loved about my alpha.

One day, he stopped by the shop in the middle of the afternoon. “Would you go with me to look at the old dance studio? I have an appointment with a Realtor.”

Surprised, I untied my apron and hung it on its hook. “Absolutely. Let’s go.”

“Are you sure? I hate to take you away from the shop, and I was going to go alone, but then I thought…”

“Rocco is here to mind the register.” The counter man was currently rearranging some of the front window display. He loved doing that. “And it’s pretty quiet.” Of course, even if I had nobody to watch the store, I’d be going. I was so excited that Edwin was making a move. He’d been going back and forth on the subject, considered trying another career but always circled back to the work he loved.

I’d tried to be encouraging without being pushy. Not because he was the alpha and should be in charge. He never acted like the boss in our relationship, although he had a strong, protective side that made me feel good and safe and cared for.

What omega ever had such an alpha? Absolutely perfect for me. Fate knew her business.

I followed Edwin out into the beautiful spring day. Baskets of flowers hung from the lampposts all along Main Street, contributing their colors and scents to the afternoon, and as we headed for the dance studio, I hoped that Fate would have a hand in my alpha’s decision.

He had a dancer’s soul, and it was so unfair for his former omega to have shut that part of him down. Even though we were doing well together, he was still hesitant in so many aspects of his life, and he deserved to have it all.

The Realtor was waiting in front of the studio, dressed up like I’d never seen anyone in Oliver Creek. An actual suit. As we approached, he extended his hand kind of between us, clearly not sure who was his customer. I let Edwin take the last steps ahead of me, clarifying who he was meeting. “Right on time,” he said, shaking my alpha’s hand. “I just got into town about fifteen minutes ago. There was a semi jackknifed on the highway. Didn’t seem to be any injuries, but traffic was tied up for miles.”

That explained the suit. He was not a local. As he unlocked the brick building’s door, he explained that he represented the out-of-town owner. “Mr. Stevens would prefer to sell the building, but he is also willing to entertain a rental for the right client.”

“I see.” Edwin followed him inside, me on his heels. “I am considering a space for a dance studio, and since this had already had that function, it seemed like a good possibility but only as a rental. At least, for now.”

He introduced himself to me as well at that point and stepped back. “How about if you two go through the space and look it over then we can talk further? I do have another client who will be visiting later in the week, so if you want it, you probably shouldn’t waste any time.”

Edwin looked worried, but as soon as the door closed behind the Realtor, I walked him to the back of the big room where we wouldn’t be heard. “Alpha, look at the dust in here. It has not only been empty for quite some time, they didn’t even bother to clean it. If they thought they had someone ready to buy, I think they’d have swept the floor.”

“So you don’t think there is another client?”

“Oh, there might be, but something tells me there’s no rush. Take your time and look it over then consider what you want to offer.”

“I can’t buy it. It would take all my life savings.” He trailed a finger over the ballet barre along the back wall. “What if the other person wants to do that?”

I could buy it… But I knew he wouldn’t let me. Not yet. “If they do, then it wasn’t meant to be, and we’ll find another place for you to set up a studio. There are still a few storefronts that haven’t been redone yet, and I’m sure we can get a good one.”

“I like this one, but the rental price the Realtor mentioned on the phone was a little higher than I’d hoped for. And if I did cave and buy…what would I live on while the business got started?”

“Why don’t you just move in with me?” I heard the words come out of my mouth in the least romantic way possible. Damn. I had been thinking about it since his first night in my home, but I hadn’t planned to ask like this. Serve me right if he turned me down and never spoke to me again.