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“You’d think.” He pulled his shirt over his head and laid it on a chair. “But in fact, they are not all that different from one another. The experts want to tell me about how I should have swum a race, and the fans mostly want to tell me all about themselves.”
“Themselves?” I’d never thought of such a thing.
“Yes, when I was first starting to win the big races, I was very nervous about having to talk to people who approached me, but my coach said that nearly everyone wants to share about themselves and all I had to do was be a good listener.”
“As long as you’re okay with the healer knowing about you.”
“He’s cool.” Sheppard finished undressing and pulled on the gown. “Want to get the healer?”
I rapped on his door, and the healer came out and followed me into the exam room.
Sheppard was sitting on the edge of the table, legs swinging. “I am pretty sure I don’t need to be here,” he said. “But my alpha worries.”
“Don’t they all,” Josh agreed. “At least the good ones. So, before we get started, why don’t you share with me what things your alpha is worried about.”
I took a seat while Sheppard and the healer discussed his symptoms, all of which it seemed were ordinary and to be expected.
“Are you sleeping well?” he asked.
“Yes, I feel fine until the morning when I…well, when I don’t feel so well.”
“Morning sickness should be passing soon. As long as you’re eating and drinking enough, many omegas are off their game, so to speak, in the early hours. I have a tea to recommend. If you sip it slowly, I believe it will help.”
He had many such helpful suggestions, all of which were natural. Teas, tinctures, foods that held the most nutrition while also being easy on the tummy, and “more water than you think you need.” Josh also wrote a prescription for foot rubs that made Sheppard laugh but also wave it at me.
“No problem, omega. I’m very happy to rub any part of you that you like.” I whispered this while Josh was washing his hands, but his shaking shoulders made me think he might have heard. I didn’t want to ask.
When we left the office, Sheppard seemed much more relaxed and cheerful. “Do you feel better, alpha?”
“Oh yes.” I didn’t mention his lessened tension. “It was nice of you to indulge me.”
“I know, right? I think my benevolence deserves a reward.” The skip in his step made me smile.
“And what did you have in mind?”
“Is there anywhere around here to get ice cream?”
“I don’t know.” That’s what came from never treating myself to the simple things in life. “Let me pop back in and ask Healer Josh.”
The healer indeed had a recommendation, and I promised myself to take the time to learn my own city beyond places you would go for a business meal.
“It’s just down the block,” I told Sheppard. “So we can walk.”
The storefront had a neon sign that saidDelightand cafe tables and chairs set on a black-and-white diamond patterned floor. And they had a menu of sundaes that covered the entire wall behind the counter.
“Welcome,” greeted the young man behind the counter. “What can we delight you with today?”
Sheppard was reading the menu, his lips moving a little and eyes flicking back and forth. “I just don’t know. There are so many choices!”
“Well, we hope you’ll come back many times and try everything, but we do offer a sampler for two? You can pick the flavors, or I can make it from some of our customer favorites?
“That sounds perfect.” I sure didn’t want to have to choose.
“Is there any flavor you don’t want?” he asked, getting out a silver dish with multiple indentations.
We told him we were in his hands, and we soon learned that each of those indentations would be filled with a little single-scoop sundae with different toppings and flavors. While it looked intimidating at first, we ate it all.
Chapter Nineteen
