Page 32 of The Omega's Fake Mate

“But a dashing one at that,” I teased. “If only you wouldn't always mess up your hair.”

As if on reflex, one of his hands went toward his head. I grinned. He stopped with his hand in mid-air.

“It's okay,” I said. “I like it a little messed-up.”

“Oh. Okay.” Slowly, he lowered his hand again.

I gave him a smile before the awkwardness could creep back in between us. Everything was easy as long as I didn't overthink it. Thankfully I was saved from thinking too much by Conner knocking on the open door to get our attention. “Excuse me, but I think we need to get going if we want to be back in time for dinner like you promised my Dad.”

Right.

“Did you pick a book?” Zander asked, stepping out of the small office space.

“Yes.” Conner showed him a thick book. “I'd like this one, if that's all right.”

Zander nodded. “Good choice.”

“It was so hard to pick! I want to read all of them!”

I'd had no idea my cousin's son could get so enthusiastic about something, but it was nice to see. Zander laughed a little. Also nice to see. It was too bad I couldn't take the both of them back to LA with me.

* * *

“Can I ask you something?” Conner spoke up on our drive back.

“Sure. What do you wanna know?” And here I thought I was done with the twenty-questions part of the day. At least our drive was short; we were almost back home. Conner wouldn't have time for more than one question.

So of course, he picked a loaded one.

“You and Mr. Kerner are just friends, right?”

“Yeah,” I said slowly, hoping that would be enough.

But Conner didn't stop there. “Dad says you were friends when you were children too. Kind of like Jake and I.”

“I guess so.” Where was he going with this? I kept staring at the road ahead, just to keep myself from thinking of that kiss I'd shared with Zander. That hadn't felt much like friendship. But Conner didn't need to know that. How old was the boy anyway? Eleven? Way too young to be thinking about stuff like this.

You were twelve when you first kissed Zander.

But that was different. I wasn't surehow,but it was different. I was moving away. That kiss didn't mark the start of anything but the end.Or a very long break.

Shut up, brain.

“That's good.” Conner sat up straight in his seat. “People are saying alphas and omegas can't be friends, but I think they're wrong.”

“Alphas and omegas can totally be friends.” But Zander and I were maybe not the best example of what such a friendship might look like.

“I knew it!”

I made myself smile at Conner.

Better not tell him about my fake relationship or how that was working out for me.

12

Nick

Thursday night was busy.