Page 119 of Puck My Life

I find a seat near the window where we can watch the street. He sits opposite me.

“Talk to me.”

And, in jarring sentences, I spit the whole thing out. Telling him about the heat, the lead-up, how they were so sweet and kind, and then coming home last night with forever in my eyes and finding instead another omega in my place.

“Indy?”

I nod miserably and pull at the croissant that is sitting on my plate.

“It’s weird that they just changed like that.”

“Maybe they didn’t change; maybe this is who they are.”

“But they’d never hurt you before; in fact, they were rabid if anyone hurt you, so why would they just start?”

“Sex changes things,” I whisper. “Maybe I’m no longer Vae; now I’m just a notch on the bedpost.”

Jansen gets a call and excuses himself to answer it. I catch Marilyn’s name, but I tune them out and stare at the world. It’s so cold without them.

It was one thing to walk away before, but walking away like this…this is worse.

“Come on, Vae. I’ve got something to show you.”

I follow him as he leads me on a half an hour walk. He stops in front of a small, closed shop. A guy stands there and hands over a key.

“Thanks, Rosco.”

Jansen opens the door and guides me in.

“I want to offer you a deal.”

I wince and then regret my action.

He chuckles. “No sex or dating. You and I are going to be the best of friends.”

I peer up at him. “What’s the deal, then?”

“I have been investing in small business, and I really wanted to part-own a bakery.”

I blink up at him.

“If you would want this property, it could be yours. You liked the neighborhood, right? It’s in a very central spot. Nice parks, people, and family friendly. Plus, since I know you’re not going to want to stay with anyone, there is a room upstairs if you wanted to live above the shop until you can find your own place.”

I stare at him, my head reeling.

I’ve lost my heart, but he’s giving me my dream.

“Jansen, you can’t-”

“Don’t tell me I can’t. I have too much money, and I get bored, and this is what I do. I will draft a contract, but look at it this way: I’m going to choose someone, so why shouldn’t it be you? Besides, I really like cake.”

Before I start to cry, he wraps his arms around me and holds me tight.

“I promise, Vae, it will not feel like this forever. It will get easier, and until it does, you can keep yourself busy with your shop and your new best friend. Please stop crying, Vae; you need to sleep. Come on, you can stay in my guest room for a couple of days.”

He guides me out of my soon-to-be bakery and takes me home, where he tucks me into the most luxurious bed I’ve ever laid in.

I’m so tired that I fall asleep almost instantly.