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Although, I had no doubt my fated mate and I would live in bliss together, once he got here. I hung up the phone and went back to my new favorite hobby—pacing.
Sheppard gifted his furniture to his brother for simplicity’s sake and because I already had everything. If there was anything else he wanted, I’d take him shopping and let him pick it out. If he hated everything in my place, I’d call the donation truck, and we’d start fresh. I’d never spent enough time at home to care about what I had there, and if truth be told, I’d picked out a full suite for each room from a catalog when I moved into the place. It was good quality, and expensive, but looking at it now, I realized it totally lacked personality.
We would be shopping. And maybe there was a shelter somewhere in this city that could use it. The one where I volunteered on Thanksgiving maybe? Davey, my assistant, was an avid supporter of this shelter for abused omegas, so I sent him a text about steps forward to make the donation.
I received texts when Sheppard stopped for gas and calls when he took meal breaks, and video calls when he was in his motel for the night. I ached at the distance between us and imagined where he was on the road. How alpha would it be to ask him to let me use location to follow his trip?
It would only be in case of an emergency, but still felt pushy to me, and I didn’t want him to regret his decision to come and make a U-turn. Not that he would. Or that I was overthinking. He should be here soon.
My phone buzzed with a text and I launched myself across the bedroom at it.
Want to tell the doorman to let me in?
Letting the phone fall, I buzzed the intercom and barked, “Let my mate in, Gus. He lives here now.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And I’ll be right down. Get someone from maintenance to unload his car, please.”
“Yes, sir.”
A man of few words, Gus, but having one of the last great doormen in the city, maybe the last one considering we were not a huge city and there were not all that many tall buildings here, was a real plus in choosing my building.
I hopped in the elevator and reached the lobby to find Sheppard arguing with Gus about handing over his keys. “Mr. Sheppard, I don’t want to upset Mr. Locke. Please give me the keys so Jason can unload your car.”
Reaching the podium, I folded Sheppard into my arms and closed my hand over his keys. “We have a freight elevator, and Jason will pull right up to the loading dock and have everything upstairs in two shakes.”
“It’s part of his job,” Gus agreed. “It’s no trouble.”
Sheppard still seemed hesitant. “I’m not sure.”
“Let them do what they need to while I give you the tour.” I managed to free the keys from him. “I’m sure you’ll want to see the pool?”
His eyes widened. “The pool…here?”
“It’s on the roof, but it has a glass enclosure at this time of year, when it’s kind of cool out.”
“You know, if you had told me, I’d have driven faster.”
I handed the ring to Gus, shifted the backpack from Sheppard’s shoulders, and passed that over as well. Along with a folded bill. I usually only tipped at Christmas, but despite what I said, it really was a bit out of the ordinary for them to act as moving men.
“Pool first?” I slipped an arm around his waist.
“Yes.” He leaned on me. “So it’s open all year?”
“Every day.” We entered the elevator and I pushed the button for the rooftop. “Did I say I was glad to see you?” His lips were warm and firm under mine, and I didn’t notice arriving on our floor until the sound of someone clearing their throat alerted us.
Stepping back, I found myself facing an eighty-year-old in a bathing suit. “Mrs. Fetherly. I want to introduce you to my mate who also likes to swim. This is—”
My neighbor from across the hall stumbled back, her hand over her mouth. “I watched you win the gold. I was on the team sixty years ago, but I never approached your speed.” Before I knew it, she was showing Sheppard around the pool area, telling him all the features and inviting him—hopefully us—over to dinner soon so they could share their Olympic stories.
My mate followed the lady, asking questions and steadying her when she misstepped. He was so good and kind and had already made a friend. After a few minutes, he walked her to the elevator and then came back and joined me. “Looks like you’ve found a fan.”
He chuckled. “I am a fan. She may not have approached my speed, but hers was good enough for three golds and a bronze. Wow. Why didn’t you tell me you were friends with Olivia Fetherly the legend?” His eyes sparkled, and his smile was huge.
“I just thought she made good oatmeal cookies.” And I didn’t know any of my neighbors all that well. Something I sensed was about to change. “Come on downstairs and I’ll show you the bedroom.”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
