Page 72 of The Omega's Fake Mate

“You can't buy anything,” Conner pointed out. “The store is closed.”

I snorted. Darn it, but I liked this kid. And if I likedthiskid, maybe I could like other kids as well. Maybe I was going to be fine.

“Zander will make an exception for me,” Nick said. “Won't you?” He nudged my elbow. “Because we're such good friends.” Inching a little closer again he whispered, “Or do you want Conner to examine the stains on this book?”

That was about the last thing I wanted, so I approached the door and flipped the sign. “I guess we're open for business again.”

“Great!” Conner beamed and ran over to the old phone box with all the omega books that had become his favorite part of the store. He spent so much time there I'd started calling it Conner's Corner in my head.

Exhaling, I turned back to Nick. “So, what are you buying?”

My boyfriend gave the book in his hand a quick once-over, and then he started giggling hysterically.

“What?” I asked.

“The mating...the...” His laughter made the rest of the words unintelligible. I had a feeling I knew what book it was, though.

“Please tell me that's notThe Mating Rituals of Homosexual Penguins.”

Nick said nothing. He only showed me the cover. It was a detail-oriented illustration of two penguins gazing lovingly at each other. Of course it was. Nick looked at me, I looked back, and then I burst out laughing as well.

“What's so funny?” Conner yelled, a pile of five books in his arms.

“Nothing!” I shot back, trying to contain myself as I walked over to the register. Then I stopped. “You know what?” I said to Nick. “I'm going to give you that book free of charge.”

“Most generous!” Nick wiped his eyes. “It'll be my reading challenge for next month. You can quiz me on it!”

“It'll be my pleasure.” I grinned, briefly wondering if the book covered sex positions.

26

Nick

The cat wasout of the bag. I'd told Zander about the baby and he hadn't completely freaked out! And on top of all that, I'd also scored a free book. Things seemed to be working out for me. I was feeling good.

When Conner was done browsing all the book shelves three times, he asked me to come home with him so I could say hi to his family. I was pretty sure what he really wanted was a free ride, but I said yes anyway. It would be good to see everyone.

Zander shot me a questioning look, though, probably wondering where I wanted to spend the night. Seriously, he was so silly sometimes. Like I'd settle for anywhere other than his bed. “I'll be back later,” I told him with a wink before I headed out the door behind Conner.

“You're staying with Mr. Kerner?” Conner asked as he climbed into the beat-up car I'd leased.

“Yup. We're having a sleep-over, just like the good old times.” For some reason, I couldn't bring myself to tell the boy that Zander and I were anything more than friends. I knew I had to sooner or later, but he was so pleased when I told him alphas and omegas could be friends. I didn't want to confuse him.

Sadly, it seemed it was too late for that already. “You're not just friends, are you?” Conner eyed me critically as I started the car.

“What do you mean?”

“I saw you before I walked into the store.”

He saw us? Oh my God.Whathad he seen?

Shane was going to kill me. Just after Kade was done with me.

Maybe I should turn the car around, head straight back to LA. There was still time to make my escape, right? Better check with Conner how fast I had to run. “What did you see?” I asked, trying to keep my eyes on the road instead of the boy next to me.

“I saw you... hug. It just seemed really intimate.”

I let out a breath. Hehadn'tseen anything super inappropriate then. And I was never going to tell Zander—or anyone—how close he'd come. “We were... really glad to see each other again?” I tried. I didn't really think it would work. Of course, it didn't.