A charged silence rose between them as Calder realized they were alone in the kitchen. The other staff had cleaned up and left the bakery ten minutes ago.
Only the whir of the industrial dishwasher invaded the quiet.
Calder shifted on his feet.
“I appreciate what you did for Ked earlier,” he said quietly. “I’m not sure he’ll take it, but it was sound advice.”
“It was my pleasure,” the omega murmured. “You know how much I enjoy your children.”
“I know. They like you too.”
Zinn blinked slowly. Deliberately. His knuckles went white as he gripped the worktable. “I never had any younger siblings. I always wanted someone to…teach.”
The dishwasher made a low-pitched hissing noise as it switched to a rinse cycle.
Calder stepped closer. “Sunshine, I’m sure there are many things my sons could learn from you. Things I could learn, too. So, if you ever feel like you need to hold back—don’t.”
Zinn gulped. “Thank you, alpha.”
Alpha.
Calder’s head snapped up. Based on the omega’s placid face, he hadn’t even realized he’d uttered the word.
But he had.
Chapter Twenty-One
Wes
“It’s really homey in here,” Assa said. “And it smells delicious.”
Wes inhaled the fragrant aroma of cinnamon, coffee, and cherries as he closed the glass door behind them. “It certainly does.”
The dozen mismatched tables in the cozy bakery were all occupied, except for a two-seater in the corner that Assa snagged for them. “Popular place,” he commented, hooking his bag over the back of the chair.
“Based on what we saw at the wedding, it’s a hidden gem.”
“Not so hidden anymore,” said a server, sidling up to their table and smiling warmly. “We’re getting a reputation for our wedding cakes. Lots of new customers, which has been fun. I’m Lolo, by the way. Welcome to Felton’s.”
Wes grinned back at the friendly beta. “That’s us. Lured here by word-of-mouth. We were at a wedding this weekend for one of my colleagues. The cake was the talk of the reception.”
“Let me guess,” Lolo said. “It was the one with the alpha falling off the top tier?”
Assa nodded. “How did you know?”
“We only do two or three custom cakes per week,” Lolo answered. “The other one was beautiful but wouldn’t have caused talk.”
Wes chuckled. “Well, theomega-rescuing-alphatopper certainly did.”
“I’ll tell our decorator. He takes it as a huge compliment when folks come in because they saw one of his cakes at a wedding.”
“He should,” Assa said. “When we got married ten years ago, we had a plain white cake with buttercream frosting. I doubt anyone remembers it.”
“I’m sure it was lovely,” Lolo replied tactfully. “And whatever brought you here, we’re always happy to see new faces. I can’t offer you wedding cake, unfortunately, but we have a variety of pastries, including some cherry tarts that just came out of the oven.”
“That explains the incredible smell,” Assa said. “I’ll take a tart, please, and a vanilla latte.”
Glancing quickly at the chalkboard menu, Wes ordered a slice of cinnamon streusel and a black coffee.
