Page 63 of The Omega's Fake Mate

Zander shrugged. “We went to sleep pretty late so I figured I'd let you be when you didn't even hear my alarm clock.”

“Thank you.” Wehadbeen up for quite a while. When I moved, I could detect some slight twinges in my butt, too. Nothing super bad, though. All just proof of a night well spent. Stretching, I glanced at the food on the tray in front of me. My love had brought me toast and bacon and eggs and it all smelled amazing.

“Dig in,” Zander said, noticing my hungry look.

I didn't have to be told twice. “This is awesome,” I said, swallowing a piece of crunchy bacon. Ilovedbacon.

“I'm glad you like it. I wasn't sure what you eat in the mornings. I also didn't know if you had any more food allergies I needed to know about or... What are you smiling about?”

I didn't notice until Zander asked, but I really was grinning like the Cheshire cat. “I don't know. I'm just thinking about how we're going to learn all these little things about each other and I'm looking forward to that.”

Zander's face fell. The expression lasted only a moment, but I still saw.

“What's wrong?” I asked.

“You're leaving tomorrow,” was all he said, but it was enough. He was right. How could we learn all these little things about each other when he was here and I was in LA?

Suddenly, cold dread wound itself around my heart like a snake.

I wanted to promise Zander that I would call every chance I got, that we could have hour-long video chat sessions every day. But I didn't trust myself. We both knew how good I was at keeping in touch.

No, I had to make an effort. Zander was worth it. Reaching across the breakfast tray, I took his hand, looking him in the eyes. “I'll be back and maybe you can come visit me too. Whatever it takes, we'll make it work. We're not... I'm not twelve anymore. I promise I'm not going to leave you hanging in a phone box again.”

“Okay.” Zander stroked the back of my hand with his thumb. “I suppose you're right. I'm still going to miss you, though.”

“I'll miss you too.” I leaned over to kiss him a quick kiss that tasted of eggs and bacon and coffee. “Think of me when you write your porn.”

That got him laughing. Good. “It's not porn, it's—”

“Romance. I know.” I tapped his nose. “Just teasing. Think of me anyway.”

“I always do,” he said with a level of sincerity that took me aback.

“Good to know,” I replied, and I meant it. “I wish I could stay here all day, but I do have to pop by my brother's before I leave or I'll never hear the end of it.”

“All right. I need to reopen the store too.” Zander paused, as if he was on the verge of asking something but wasn't quite sure that he should.

I raised a questioning eyebrow at him.

“Will you come back here after visiting your brother?” he asked finally.

“Of course I will, silly.”

After all, who knew when I was going to see him again after this?

* * *

Igotto Dean's place shortly after noon. Zander had had to go back to work, but luckily, my brother was off duty today and his mate was working from home so I could drop in while my boyfriend was occupied.

My boyfriend.

It still felt weird to think that. Weird, but good too, because it was Zander.

Dean looked tired when he opened the door and I wondered if he’d only just gotten off a shift at the fire station. “I'm sorry,” I said. “Is this a bad time?”

“No, come in. You're leaving tomorrow, aren't you?”

“Yeah,” I agreed, following my big brother into the house. “But I might be back soon.”