“That’s right,” Wes said.
“Okay, good,” Ryde said. “I was just telling you because I’m invited to Patten’s party. So maybe we can go to the go-kart track before then so I can practice. I’ve never done it before.”
Assa blew out a breath and shook his head. Would he ever stop projecting his own insecurities onto his child? “We can go, nugget. I’ll figure out a time.”
“Thanks.”
Across the table, Wes shrugged at him. Ryde was such an enigma sometimes. Perversely, Assa wondered whether Ryde’s omega father would be able to read him better than Assa and Wes.
He chided himself for the thought. He didn’t truly resent Zeller. That poor boy—he supposed he was a man now—had had his child stolen from him. He wasn’t the villain here. If Zeller did show up, perhaps it wouldn’t be the end of the world. He would be another person to love Ryde, like Wes had alluded to with Asher. Assa refused to believe there would be some kind of custody fight. From the way Asher described his brother, Zeller would do what was best for his son, which meant not ripping him away from the only parents he’d ever known.
Wes and Assa had been amenable to the idea of open adoption before Ryde came into their lives. What if there was more that they could offer their son? A relationship with his birth father. With his uncle.
And maybe, if everything fell into place down the road, with Valentin.
***
The day of Ryde’s party arrived. Assa had been nervous that it might be too chilly for the water-themed inflatable—Bellwether Province was known for early spring cold snaps—but the stars aligned to give them perfect weather.
Kids would arrive at noon. At a quarter past eleven, Wes went outside to heat the grill for hot dogs and hamburgers while Assa prepped side dishes in the kitchen. He was excited for eleven-thirty to arrive because that was when Calder was scheduled to deliver the cake from Felton’s.
Ordering the cake had been an interesting experience. Over the past three weeks, Calder had reached out multiple times with questions. Assa wasn’t sure why the bakery needed to know how long they’d lived in Bellwether Province or whether Ryde had any first cousins in order to make a good cake, but he assumed the alpha’s inquisitiveness was more friendliness because of their unique connection from eight years ago.
Oddly, Assa and Wes never spoke directly with the cake designer. Contrary to what he’d initially said would happen, Calder remained firmly in the role of intermediary. They had communicated over email and met once more in person, eventually signing off on a concept that captured Ryde’s unique interests, but they’d never met the mysterious Zinn.
They theorized the omega was shy, preferring to remain behind the scenes while Calder handled customer-facing duties. It was cute seeing the sappy look in the alpha’s emerald eyes whenever he mentioned Zinn. They were clearly more than boss and employee. But there was something else there too, a certain wariness Assa couldn’t put his finger on.
Ryde ran around the house in a T-shirt and a pair of red swim trunks. The rental company had set up the bouncy castle with the water slide attachment that morning and its motor hummed in the backyard.
Rocking on his heels in front of where Assa mixed a fruit salad, he asked, “May I go outside?”
“Sure. Dad is by the grill. But only bouncing for now. You can get wet later when everyone else gets here.”
“Got it.” Ryde giddily hauled open the slider. “Hey, Pop?”
“Hmm?”
“Can you believe I’m eight?”
The innocent question hit Assa in his chest. “It’s hard to believe it, nugget. But I’m so proud of my brand-new eight-year-old.”
Ryde grinned and headed outside. Assa paused chopping strawberries, momentarily frozen by the knowledge that his son wouldn’t really be eight for another month. He was grateful Asher had given them the real date, but at the same time, it was sad. Someday, they’d have to tell Ryde.
He rolled his shoulders, returning to his task. Today was not the day for those worries. Ryde being outside would make it easier for Calder to get the cake set up. Assa and Wes still hadn’t told their son that they’d ordered something special.
The doorbell rang at exactly eleven-thirty. Calder stood on the front porch holding a large bakery box with a cake stand squeezed under his elbow.
“It’s good to see you again,” Assa said, opening the door wider and motioning toward the dining area. “We figured it would be easiest to set up on the big table.”
Calder’s eyes darted around the living room as he passed. “Nice place,” he said. “I didn’t realize how close you were to Felton’s.”
“Yeah. We’ll be regulars after this.”
Something shifted in Calder’s expression, but he didn’t reply.
Assa cleared his throat. “Do you always deliver the cakes yourself?”
“No,” Calder said. “I’m sure you’ve noticed that I’ve taken special care of you and Wes, and to be honest…well…there’s something I’d like to speak with you both about. I wanted to get past this party first, but if you have time afterward, I’d love to come back and have a chat.”
