“Are you a writer?”
Mal chuckled, looking delighted. “I wish. No, I’m a vlogger.”
“Is that a real profession?” Cain frowned. “How do you make money?”
Mal sniffed and gave him a wounded look. “I make enough to get by, thank you very much. More importantly, you should ask me what I post about.”
“Please, forgive me, mysterious traveling vlogger,” Cain said, voice tinged with laughter despite his efforts. “What do you post about?”
Mal’s expression brightened and Cain swore the whole room became lighter and more cheerful. “I post about a lot of differentthings, but my most profitable content is about cooking from scratch. I film short episodes, edit them, and post to multiple places. I even have sponsors now.”
“Interesting. How would I find your work?”
“My site is calledSimply Living.” Mal cupped his tea in both furry hands. “It’s really starting to take off. Basically, I focus on getting back to the basics with food and life. I choose recipes that use a minimal amount of natural ingredients but still taste yummy. Since I travel so much, I do episodes about finding the best places to buy fresh ingredients and where to forage when it’s legal. I’m well known in the mycophile community,” he stated proudly. “Do you think Ernie would give me permission to hunt mushrooms out here? I saw some prime spots when I was sneaking in.”
“Wow, you sound so mysterious, you scoundrel,” Cain said dryly, rubbing his chin. “Can I trust a wild mycophile around my friends?”
Mal gave him a wounded look. “How could you ask such a thing? I may be the bad boy of mushroom foraging, but I forage for good, not evil. I’m completely trustworthy.”
Cain chose to ignore the fact that he had caught Mal trespassing mere moments ago. “Ernie and Reuban probably won’t mind but ask them first. Get the permission in writing if possible.”
“Okay, Mr. Lawyer.”
“Do you really make money doing all that? Foraging and whatnot?”
Mal shrugged. “Enough to pay most of my bills. I started it as a hobby, but it really hit with a lot of people. Oh, I also have a beginner’s yoga channel. It’s not as popular as my cooking one, but you should join it. Yoga would really help with your stress.”
“I look that stressed?”
Mal nodded. “The bags under your eyes have stories to tell. You don’t just miss your family, do you?”
Cain pressed his lips together, wincing. “No.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” Mal reached across the table and settled his fur covered hand on Cain’s. “You gave me free legal advice after all.”
Cain shook his head. “It makes me feel pathetic.” It was unlike him to even consider telling someone something so personal. Mal was really a stranger and had admitted to liking gossip. It would be stupid to tell him anything important.
“We’re friends now, right? Please tell me?” Mal pouted and stared at him with the best puppy eyes that Cain had ever come across in an adult. “I’ll tell you my secrets too.”
“Fine.” Cain drew the word out as he sighed in defeat. “I want a family of my own. A partner and a child.”
“Hmm. That’s not exactly surprising. Human beings are social after all.” Mal looked puzzled. “You’re handsome, have a job, and seem like a nice enough man. Why don’t you already have a partner?”
Cain gave the omega a flat look. “That is the question my mother asks me every time she calls.”
Mal snickered, then looked guilty. “I’m sorry. That was rude. So, really. What’s the problem? If you aren’t interested in omegas, your parents would understand. Surely you know that. Oh, wait. Are you extra kinky? There are communities for that and you shouldn’t feel ashamed.”
Cain felt his face heat. “Please stop talking. It isn’t anything like that.”
Mal looked doubtful. “It’s alright. Really, there’s no shame in loving someone.”
“Oh, shut up. I simply haven’t found anyone I want to be with.” Cain scowled. “I’ve dated many people. It’s not like I’m not looking. I’ve met some amazing omegas. They camefrom a similar economic background and were handsome, well-mannered, and highly intelligent. Each one was an admirable person with many good qualities.” Cain winced. “It just doesn’t feel right with them.”
“Admirable, huh? Well, maybe you’re trying too hard.” Mal shrugged. “One of my older cousins went years dating anyone she could because she wanted a family more than anything, then when she finally gave up on meeting the right person, she realized she really liked her next-door neighbor. They’ve been married three years now.”
“Lucky for her,” Cain said, grimacing. “No, it’s just that thereisone man, but it’s impossible.”
“Unrequited love?” Mal gave him a sympathetic look. “I’m very familiar with that.”
