Page 6 of With A Little Luck

Chapter Five

Quincy

I ignore two calls from Pete as I wait for my last table to leave. Once they’re gone, I get their dishes cleared before heading to do my necessary side work.

I haven’t spoken to the cheating dick since the night at his office. I thought I made it clear then that I never wanted to talk to him again, but he called a few times over the weeks that followed and even sent me a text expressing how sorry he was to hear Gran had passed away.

Leaving the asshole on read was an easy choice, and eventually, he stopped trying to contact me. It seems very fitting that, after months of peace, he’s bothering me again.

I figured it would come at some point, but I just don’t have the energy to deal with him today.

Sutton is wiping down menus in the back as I roll my last few sets of silverware. She’s a year or two younger than me, and I love it when we get scheduled together. She was the first person to help me feel welcome here at work and the only one who hasn’t been weird since my belly popped.

I think the other servers don’t want to put too much effort into being friends because they assume I won’t come back after the baby is born. And maybe they’re right. I have no idea how I’ll manage day care once the baby comes.

If I moved back home to Florida, my mom and dads would help… I’m just thinking of that as more of a last resort kind of option. It would take me even farther away from where I met Ridge, and that would kill the last bit of hope I have of randomly running into him.

Not to mention, things have been tense with my family since my gran died. I’m still holding onto some resentment over the fact my mom left me to handle all of Gran’s arrangements.

“Your regular didn’t even get three bites into his sandwich before he bolted,” Sutton says, laughing. Her long blonde hair falls over her face, and she shoves it back. “I’m convinced he’s just hanging around, waiting for the day you cave and ask him to be your sugar daddy.”

I snort, dropping the silverware onto the napkin. “Like that man needs to pay anyone to be in his company.”

“I don’t know…” She shrugs. “He’s weird. I’d be shocked if he has a girlfriend. But with a face like that? I could put up with awkward small talk here or there to sit on it from time to time.”

I let out a very unladylike laugh. “He’s really sweet.”

And ridiculously hot.

Honestly, models would be jealous of his jawline.

“Sure, sweet as can be…until you find him leering over you at two in the morning, heavy-breathing and asking you to make him a turkey club.”

“Moving on.” I roll my eyes. “You don’t happen to know anyone looking for a room to rent, by chance?”

“I really don’t.” Sutton shakes her head. “Did you decide to rent out your extra rooms, or are you trying to get out of that giant house?”

“I need roommates,” I admit. “Money is tight, and it’s only going to get worse over the next few months.”

She frowns, dropping the now-clean menu on the pile. “Have you thought about putting up flyers?”

“For the room?” I ask, but realize how silly that question was. “I’ve considered it. I was just hoping to find someone I know. Or at the very least, a friend of a friend. Someone who can be vouched for, you know?”

“No, I get it. I’ll ask around,” she says, grabbing another menu. “But for the record, I meant missing-person’s-style flyers for your baby daddy. Something like have you seen this man? I need to talk to him, preferably before I pop out his kid .”

An unexpected bark of laughter leaves my lips. “If I had a picture to post… I’m getting desperate enough that I might consider it.”

Hartley sits at the desk in the office, studying something on the computer as I prepare to head out.

I was hoping he wouldn’t mind if I used the office printer. It has Wi-Fi, so I can connect from my phone, but using business resources without asking seems wrong. Plus, the printer is literally in his office.

I’ll have to ask tomorrow instead. Bothering him while he’s busy with actual work seems silly.

I’m just about to head off when his head flies up.

He spots me and grins. “Did you need something?”

My head shakes. “I was going to ask to borrow the printer, but it can wait.”

He waves a hand and stands. “Nah, come on in. It’s no trouble. You aren’t printing off your resume to leave us, right?”

I laugh and stride into the office. “I don’t even have a resume.”

Hart nods to his chair. “Sit down and take a load off.”

I slide past him, and my nose twitches, picking up his scent. It’s such a distinct smell, almost like fresh snow and something woodsy. It’s hard to describe, but I’ve never scented an alpha who smells so fresh and clean.

I’ve come to terms with it.

My nose loves Hartley’s scent.

Settling into his chair, I wiggle around, trying to stop the throbbing in my hips and lower back. Standing is uncomfortable, but sitting is somehow worse unless I can stretch out and get comfy.

“If you’re not trying to quit, what’s up?” Hart asks, leaning his hip against the side of his desk.

“I made a flyer.” My purse rests on my thighs, and I dig in it for my phone. “I need a roommate or two.”

The paperwork I got at the doctor’s falls, landing on the floor as I finally grab my phone.

Dammit, I miss the days when I could bend over and pick something up without it being a huge ordeal.

“Is it safe to have someone you don’t know move in right before you give birth?” Hart steps over, crouches, and grabs the pamphlet for The Omega Exchange.

Sighing, I connect my phone to the Wi-Fi so it will sync to the printer.

“I’ll be careful. I’m hoping to find a person that someone I know can vouch for.

I also found a free renter’s contract that you can print out and personalize.

I think doing something month to month would be smart, at least at first.”

It takes only a few seconds to print five copies of the flyer I made listing the room for rent. It even has little pull-tab-thingies at the bottom that people can rip off with my phone number.

The noise of the printer starting fills the air, and I flip over to the file for the contract and print three copies of it.

“Not to be a nosy asshole, but what is this?” Hart asks, shaking the brochure. “Are you thinking about applying to be matched?”

“No,” I blurt out and pause. “I mean, not really. I don’t know. The doctor has been pushing for me to be matched, or at the very least do visits with volunteer alphas, but I don’t know how I feel about that.”

“Goddamn, the government is way too pushy about trying to force omegas into bonding.” He frowns at the paper. “Have you considered finding a doctor who won’t try to sell you off like a broodmare?”

“It’s not like that,” I assure him. “Dr. Lindsay is great. Most doctors didn’t want to take on a patient with no insurance, but she’s worked with me every step of the way.

” I sigh and shove myself out of the chair.

Dropping my purse onto the edge of the desk, I head over to the filing cabinets to grab my stuff off the printer.

“It’s complicated. There are some medical things that can pop up for unbonded pregnant omegas.

I think she’s just trying to be extra careful. ”

“What do you mean, medical things that can pop up for unbonded pregnant omegas ?” he growls, pulling the brochure down to look at me over it.

My face burns.

There is no way that I’m getting into pregnant omegas needing alpha pheromones and semen.

That is just not happening.

Talking about it with Dr. Lindsay was embarrassing enough.

I’ll melt into an actual puddle of horrified omega if I have to speak those words aloud to Hart.

“It’s no big deal,” I lie. “I’m figuring it out.

There’s a medication I can take instead.

It’s just expensive. That’s a big part of why I’m taking the plunge to find roommates.

” I smile tightly, crossing the room. I snatch the brochure from his hands and grab my purse.

“Thanks for letting me use the printer. I’m beat. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

And with that, I bolt from his office before I can embarrass myself even further.