Page 75 of The Omega's Fake Mate

“I wouldn't say I wasanxious,” Zander said, pulling me inside where it was warm.

“What word would you use then?” I held on to his hand as we went up the stairs. I liked the feeling of his skin on mine, craved the connection.

“I would say I was... hopeful.”

“Hopeful?” We stepped through the door into the apartment above the store and there was Betty, eyeing me critically for a moment before deciding that I could pass. Oh, that old dog was going to love the baby.

Zander closed the door behind us and helped me out of my jacket. “Hopeful that you'd come back to me,” he elaborated.

I gave him a smile, feeling my heart warm up along with the rest of my body. “I promise I'll always come back to you. In fact, how would you like it if I moved in with you?”

“You want to move in with me? Here?” Zander put his hands on my hips, drawing me closer.

“Yes, here. I think it's perfect.” I cast my eyes around the apartment. “We might need to get rid of some of the books to make space, though.”

“You're not being serious.”

“Oh, I am. I totally want to move in.”

“Not that part.”

“You mean you can't sacrifice any of your books?” I teased. “You do realize that you're already a book abuser, though, right? Or do I have to remind you what happened toThe Mating Rituals of Homosexual Penguins? That book's got somestainson it.” Suppressing my laughter as Zander's eyes grew wide was the most difficult thing. “Where's that list of book abusers? I want to add your name to it.”

“Don’t you dare.”

“Stop me.”

Zander kissed me—as if he thought that could distract me. I had to admit, he was making a strong point, but the thought of messing with one of his lists was just too tempting. Goal in mind, I broke away from my boyfriend and made a beeline for the kitchen. The list was still on the fridge where I’d last seen it. I needed a pen, though. Where did Zander keep those?

Everywhere, apparently. I spotted one on the kitchen table, one on the counter next to the stove and another one on the top of the fridge. I grabbed that last one and uncapped it. Zander stood in the door, watching me.

“Go ahead,” he said as I poised my pen. “I stand by what I did. I would sacrifice my books for you any day.”

“Aw, that’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me.” Coming from Zander, it really was. “Don’t worry, though. I won’t make you.”

“That’s why I love you.”

I put the pen back where I found it and joined my mate at the door. “I love you too,” I said, resting our foreheads together, breathing him in and feeling at peace with the world and the decision I’d made. “We’re going to have a fantastic time here together.”

And nothing else mattered, did it?

27

Zander

Nick wantedto move in with me. Finally, everything in my life seemed to be going in the right direction. Well, except for the part where I was unexpectedly becoming a father, but even that thought had started to appeal to me. I wasn't lying when I told Nick that I was looking forward to seeing his belly grow, and it wasn't just that either. I was sure he was going to be the most fun parent ever and I couldn't wait to see that. Couldn't wait to meet his child—our child.

I'd never wanted to parent on my own, but with Nick? Yeah, I could see myself doing that. It would be an adventure. The greatest adventure of my life, perhaps.

To be honest, I got kind of excited thinking about all the books I could read to the little one. Already I was wondering what genre they might like best growing up. I'd loved everything fantasy-related as a child, and during the first week of February, I dug through the shelves in the bookstore to find all my old favorites.

I realized it would be a few years before the baby was old enough to share my love for these stories, but you could never start preparing too early, right? Besides, Nick got a giggle out of watching me make a mess of the shelves in my search. Whatever made him laugh couldn't be bad. So yes, I was warming up to the idea of being a parent. There was only one thing, really, which was still a thorn in my side. The rest of my family. More specifically, my parents.

“You think we should visit your parents?” Nick asked, his face telling me exactly what he thought of the idea when I brought it up with him as he sat on the couch with his sketchbook.

“We should at least tell them that you're pregnant, don't you think?” I ran a hand through my hair. “Maybe then they'll finally stop bothering me about growing up.”

Nick put his sketchbook down. “Do you think they'll finally sell you the store?”