Page 27 of The Omega's Fake Mate

She was right; I really shouldn’t let my parents interrupt our routine. I had to play nice with them, though. At least for as long as their name was still on the deed for the store’s building.

“Tall Tales Bookstore, Oceanport. How might I help you?” I answered the phone only because I knew it would annoy my mother.

“Quit that,” she demanded. “Even you can’t be at workall day.”

Try me.“Oh, Mother, I didn’t know it was you. How delightful to hear your voice.”

“You can cut that out too.”

Wasn’t I allowed to haveanyfun?

“Your sister told me how obstinate you're being over Thanksgiving dinner.”

“I'm not being—”

“Surely you're not thinking this through,” my mother went on talking, ignoring all interjections. Sometimes I wondered whether she would have been happier had I never learned how to speak at all. But no, nothing could make her happy. I should know; I tried. “You must know that we still own the building your beloved store is in.”

“I'm very well aware.” How could I not be, when it was pointed out to me at every turn? The worst part was that I had more than enough money to buy them out. They simply refused to sell. It was maddening. Could I have looked for another property and moved my store? Sure, but this wasgrandma'sstore. I wasn't just going to abandon her legacy because her daughter was being difficult.

“Honestly, I don't know why you like that dusty store so much,” my mother said. “If you weren't spending all your time in there, I'm sure you would have found yourself a mate by now.”

“Did it ever occur to you that finding a mate might not be everyone's highest priority?”

“Nonsense.” Even though I couldn't see my mother, I knew she was waving me off with manicured fingernails. “You're an alpha like me, dear. You're biologically wired to seek your mate and as your mother it is my top priority to ensure your happiness.”

She had a funny way of going about that. “I'd be happy if you sold me the store.”

“Please, Alexander, do we need to have this discussion again?”

“Apparently so.” If she thought I was going to give up, she was sadly mistaken. I might not be the most typical alpha in existence, but I could be stubborn. I would not rest before this store was truly mine in every sense of the word.

She sighed. “That is not why I called. I'm sure your sister told you about the young lady your father and I would like you to meet Thursday night.”

A young lady, huh? Knowing my parents, she was sure to be omega too. Internally I sighed. Did my parents really not understand that I didn't want to raise an army of children? I would make a horrible parent. The house could go up in flames around me while I was reading and I'd never even notice. “I'm afraid that's not going to work,” I told my mother. “I'm bringing someone. Contrary to what you believe, I don't spend my whole life in my store.” As much as I wished I could.

“You're bringing someone?” I imagined my mother's eyes jumping out of their sockets.

“Indeed I am. So you see how this might be an inappropriate time to introduce me to someone new? The poor girl would be embarrassed. You should cancel those plans.”

“Alexander Cornelius Kerner, you better not be trying to pull something on me.”

I smirked, glad she couldn’t see me. Finally, I was one step ahead of my parents. It was surreal. This whole day could have been lifted straight out of one of my novels, honestly.

“Please, Mother, you've raised me better than that,” I said only because I knew she would believe it.

“Tell me about your date,” she demanded. “Why have you never told me about this person before? Honestly, you have no consideration for the amount of work it took me to find you an appropriate date for this dinner.”

I grimaced.

Don't snap at her now.I was so close to getting her out of my hair about this. “It's all still a bit new,” I informed her. “Although, not exactly new I suppose...You know them.”

“I do?” My mother's voice went into a higher pitch. She was clearly intrigued—andbelieving my story. Well, I wasn't an author for nothing. If I couldn't spin a believable romance I would never have seen success.

“You remember the boy I used to play with as a child? Nicholas Kramer?” I was glad this was a phone call and my mother couldn't see the wide grin on my face. I knew a part of her was worried I'd be ending up with Nick even back then.

“Oh, I remember all those Kramer children.” My mother wasn't eventryingto hide the note of disdain in her voice. Funny how she could judge another family for having a ton of children when it seemed like that was exactly what she wanted for me too. “You're dating this Nicholas kid?” she asked. “I remember him too.” Her tone was carefully guarded now. “Has he grown up at all?”

“A little,” I said, unable to keep the grin on my face from shining through in my voice. Nick had certainly grown up physically. He'd grown into avery handsomeyoung man.