It had seemed too good to be true that both Theo and Parker had been able to get jobs in D.C. After graduation, but as time went on, Connor had slowly stopped worrying for the other ball to drop. He had been completely blindsided by not only Theo’s betrayal, but Parker’s as well.
Moving to D.C. and leaving Denver behind had been bearable because he had that support network, but the moment his parents and Leon flew out, Connor was all alone again.
Maybe it wasn’t fair to try to fill that void with Gavin, but he was nice and funny and so easy to talk to, Connor immediately felt comfortable around him in a way that he rarely did around people. It was strange that he had warmed up to Gavin so easily, but Connor wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth, not when he was so desperate for some form of human contact.
It didn’t help that Gavin was incredibly handsome.
He was the epitome of ‘tall dark and handsome’ and he made Connor want.
When Connor had first met Gavin on the wedding day he hadn’t really appreciated just how good looking the alpha really was. At the time, he had had eyes only for Theo, but now that Theo was out of Connor’s life, Connor had given himself permission to look.
Connor didn’t need a rebound. He was pregnant, he still missed Theo, but that didn’t mean that he couldn’t enjoy the view.
He knew that he needed to keep his thoughts about Gavin in a strictly platonic lane, and he had been slightly relieved when he thought that Gavin was about to be married. If Gavin was in a relationship, Connor wouldn’t be tempted to do something stupid, like make a move.
Gavin was single though and had expressed absolutely no interest in Connor whatsoever. He was a friend and nothing more. Connor needed to say in his own lane and not screw this newfound friendship up.
Unfortunately Connor had had to walk to work for the past few weeks while he waited on the repair shop to finish working on his car. He could get a rental, but suddenly looking at life as a single father had him squirreling away every last cent he could save.
His parents and Leon would help financially if he needed it, Connor knew, but he also felt bad about imposing the costs of his own actions on them. He would ask for help if he needed it, but he also wanted to be as self sufficient as possible.
The walk to work wasn’t that long if Connor took a certain shortcut, but on an unusually hot Friday Connor found himself staring despairingly at construction tape that prevented him from going down his normal path.
He could take the long way, but it wouldn’t be particularly pleasant.
Connor was half way home when a particularly good smell made him look around for the source.
Oh, there was a bakery across the street. It looked a little familiar but Connor couldn’t quite place where he remembered it from. Maybe he had stopped in there at some point.
Connor’s stomach rumbled.
He didn’t really need any sweets, but it had been a long week and he deserved to treat himself, or at least that’s how he was going to justify his little excursion in his head. Connor quickly made his way to the crosswalk to get to the other side.
Just as Connor was about to enter, something on the window caught Connor’s eye and he stumbled back in shock. The sign on the window said Sweet Beginnings Bakery.
That’s where it was familiar. Connor had gone there to do some taste testing when he and Theo were trying to decide on a cake flavor.
Just the thought of Theo made something in Connor’s chest twinge painfully, but the pain, while still fresh, was getting a bit duller with time. Theo had been so intertwined with Connor’s life that it was nearly impossible to go without some reminder of him, and Connor had to constantly keep reminding himself that there was nothing he could do to change the past and that he needed to let go, for his own sanity.
After all, when the baby was born he would have a constant reminder of Theo. Connor couldn’t ever imagine resenting a baby, but he knew that he needed to learn to let go before he or she was born. It wasn’t his child’s fault that Theo had ran away, and he was absolutely not going to let any of his lingering resentment cloud his child’s life.
Connor stood in front of the bakery looking at the sign for a second then went in.
This was the place that had catered his ‘wedding that never was’ and while there was still lingering hurt, he couldn’t deny that the food itself had been phenomenal. He’d choose a good steak over ice cream any day but even then, he couldn’t stop from devouring the cream puffs and other baked goods that were left over.
Wallowing on the couch with Leon, shitty movies, and designer cupcakes had been better than wallowing on the couch with a tub ice cream.
Connor jumped slightly when a little bell rung, but the omega at the counter just smiled at him politely.
“Have you been here before, or do you need a moment to take a look?” He said softly, and Connor couldn’t help but smile back.
“I’ve been here, but it has been a while. I’d like to take a second if you don’t mind.”
“Certainly.” The man said, and flashed that smile at Connor again. “Our special today is maple apple pie, made fresh by our head baker, which would be me. Let me know if you need any assistance or when you’re ready to order.”
Connor tried to look in the back, but the window in the door was too small to see anything without it looking like he was snooping.
Was Gavin here? Would it be weird if Connor texted him that he was at Gavin’s place of work?
Yeah, it would probably be weird, even if Gavin worked at one of the most popular bakeries in town.
Connor was pulled out of his thoughts when the bell rang and the face of the omega tending the front counter suddenly lit up.
“Eric! You’re early.”
“You weren’t supposed to be working today.” A tall alpha grumbled as he walked past Connor to stand at the counter.
“Lenny was sick and the sitter was already here so…” The omega trailed off and leaned over the counter to press a kiss against the alpha’s lips.
“Mark, stop fooling around!” A stern but familiar voice called from the kitchen.
“I’m not doing anything!” The omega, apparently named Mark, called back in an exaggerated huff.
A head stuck through the doorway and Connor saw the omega that had catered the wedding with Gavin. “If Eric’s here you’re up to something.” The other omega grumbled. “You’re still causing trouble and he doesn’t even work here anymore.”
“Hey, he always started it!” Eric squawked.
“Don’t play innocent. You liked it enough to marry him.” The tall omega said, and came fully out the door.
Connor could tell the moment that the other omega noticed him, because his expression changed immediately.
“Oh, hello. Connor, was it?” The omega’s voice was kind. Connor noticed the name tag on his apron read Jeff, a name tag that Mark was apparently missing.
“Yes.” Connor grinned sheepishly and held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you under better circumstances.”
“I’m sorry about what happened.” The words might seem shallow from anyone else, but Connor could easily read the sincerity in Jeff’s voice even if it came out a bit awkward.
Connor shrugged with faux casualness that he didn’t actually feel. “It happened and there’s nothing I can do to change it. I can just try to keep moving forward.”
Jeff nodded, and Connor got the feeling that Jeff could understand more than he let on. “Well, if you ever want an ear to turn to, I’m happy to help out.” He fiddled with something behind the counter and handed Connor one of the bakery’s business cards with a number scrawled out in hasty chicken scratch on the back.
“Thank you.” Connor shot Jeff a shy smile. He felt a bit out of sorts with getting offers to help from complete strangers, but he could see the sympathy and understanding in Jeff’s eyes, and Connor knew that he himself would not hesitate to jump in and offer help to anyone in his own situation, especially now tha
t he knew how hard it was to go on his own.
“It’s nothing.” Jeff looked away for a moment. “So, ignoring those two idiots,” Mark squawked indignantly but the alpha that must be Eric just shook his head, “did you want to get anything?”
Connor hid his snicker behind his hand.
“Yes.” He said. “But on another note, is Gavin here? I wanted to stop by, grab some dessert, and maybe say hello.” Connor shrugged.
If he remembered Gavin’s schedule correctly from all the times that they had texted, he should be here, but it also felt less weird to ask Jeff than to just text him.
Jeff raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. “He’s on shift, but he had to run an errand. Someone accidentally used all the maple syrup for an experimental pie and didn’t tell anyone. It just so happened to be on the day where we have an order for cupcakes, with special maple flavored icing.” He shot Mark a pointed look.
The other omega raised his hands in surrender. “Hey hey hey, my pie is delicious thank you very much.” He turned to Connor and grinned. “It’s the pastry of the day, do you want a slice?”
Connor felt overwhelmed and looked to Jeff for help.
Jeff just rolled his eyes. “No one wants your maple syrup pie.” He turned to Connor and put a hand gently on his arm. “Come on, I’m making scones. They should be coming out of the oven soon. You can wait for Gavin in the back.”
“Oh.” Connor wasn’t quite sure how to react. He appreciated Jeff’s offer, but he was also a bit out of his element, what with the group of people that obviously knew each other extremely well.
“It’ll be quieter back there.” Jeff said, softer this time.
The bell rang and they all looked over to see a harried looking woman with a child in tow come through the door.
Mark straightened up, Eric stepped away from the counter, and Jeff looked expectantly at Connor.
“Okay.” Connor said, as another customer walked through the door. “Let’s go.”
It was better to wait in the back than stay awkwardly in the bakery while customers came through.
Jeff smiled at him like he had made the right decision, and lead Connor through the double doors into a wide open room that smelled like cinnamon and sugar.
“You can sit here.” Jeff gestured at a stool next to one of the counters, and Connor sat down obediently.
It was interesting to see Jeff move around the kitchen. He seemed at home there.
Even just watching him around Mark and Eric in the bakery, the older omega seemed so much loser and come comfortable than when he had been at Connor’s wedding.
Not that the wedding had been a particularly good event for anyone, but still. The difference was interesting to observe.
Jeff eventually opened up one of the ovens and took out a tray of the promised scones. Connor’s mouth began to water as the smell permeated the air.
They sat in companionable silence for a little while longer, then Jeff procured a plate from somewhere, slid a scone onto it, then passed it to Connor without a word.
“How much?” Connor asked immediately, and Jeff just shook his head.
“It’s on the house.”
Connor made to protest, but thought better of it. He wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Well, gift scone in this case.
His stomach rumbled and he had just taken a bite of the delicious, delicious scone, when Gavin walked in through the back door.
“Sorry it took so long.” The alpha said, his voice muffled as he rummaged around in what must be the pantry. “The line at…” Gavin stood up a bit straighter when he made eye contact with Connor. “Oh hey Connor.” Gavin looked at Jeff a bit warily. “What are you doing here?”
Connor tried to swallow his mouth full of scone and ended up coughing.
Gavin looked like he was about to rush over to help, but Connor waived him off.
“I had to take a different route home today, I passed by the bakery and wanted to see if you were here. Jeff said you were running an errand and…” Connor shrugged and let his words trail off.
It was an impulse decision, but by the way that Gavin’s face lit up, it had been a good decision.
Jeff was looking between them with his eyebrows raised, but Connor ignored him.
“I get off in another hour. Do you want to grab dinner?” Gavin smiled at Connor and Connor felt like he was melting under the gaze.
Jeff just sighed and looked at Gavin. “Mark and I can handle the rest, it’s just the cupcakes. You go ahead and go.”
“Awesome, thank you!” Gavin did a little fist pump and turned to Connor. “So, what do you want?”
—
Connor and Gavin had been hanging out for a little while, and grabbing breakfast or lunch when either of them got the chance, but Connor still was a bit surprised when he ended up at Gavin’s house, eating Thai food on the couch.
An episode of a spy show was playing on in the background, but Connor couldn’t look away from Gavin’s face.
Connor was explaining the ins and outs of the Mark-and-maple-syrup ordeal, which had apparently been far more in depth than Jeff had let on.
To be perfectly honest, Connor was barely following along. He was far more concerned with the plains and angles of Gavin’s face as he told his story.
Connor knew he shouldn’t be, he was still heartbroken over Theo, and he was pregnant for heaven’s sake, but he was absolutely entranced by Gavin. The alpha was kind, funny, and he genuinely cared for Connor and the people around him.
There was just something about Gavin that was purely good that Connor was inexplicably drawn to.
Still, Connor knew that he shouldn’t pursue anything. Gavin deserved more than to be the rebound for some pregnant omega.
There was nothing wrong with just being friends, and Gavin was a fantastic friend.
Connor was content with just sitting next to Gavin on the couch, laughing at a stupid show with him.
It was enough. It had to be.
That didn’t mean that Connor couldn’t want more.
CHAPTER 7 - GAVIN
GAVIN SLOWLY BLINKED awake as sunlight filtered in through the blinds.
His neck hurt. He must have fallen asleep at an awkward angle on the couch while watching the show.
He slowly began to become aware of his surroundings, and he jolted a little bit when he realized that he wasn’t alone.
Connor was curled up against Gavin’s side, with his head on Gavin’s shoulder.
The omega was fast asleep, and he looked so calm when normally he was filled with boundless energy. Gavin knew that Connor was off limits, but all he wanted to do was just look at the gorgeous omega.
He should probably wake Connor up, but he looked so peaceful that Gavin didn’t have the heart to disturb him.
That didn’t last long though, because soon Connor began to still and Gavin watched as he slowly blinked awake.
“Gavin?” Connor said sleepily, and looked up at Gavin through his eyelashes.
“Good morning.” Gavin said softly.
Connor just stared up at Gavin like he was transfixed, and Gavin didn’t want to say anything and break the spell. Connor’s eyes were bright behind his thick eyelashes and the skattering of freckles across his nose and cheekbones did nothing to hide the flush that was beginning to spread across his face.
“Fuck it.” Connor muttered under his breath, and Gavin froze.
He started to pull pack but Connor turned and braced a hand on Gavin’s chest. Not pushing, just there.
“Tell me if I’m wrong but…” Connor leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Gavin’s lips.
Gavin was in complete and total shock. He wanted this, he wanted this possibly more than he had wanted anything else in his life, but he had never even thought that starting something with Connor was a possibility.
It was over far too soon.
Connor pulled back quickly and Gavin could see that his face was bright red. “Shit, sorry, I just thou
ght…”
Gavin couldn’t realize what Connor was freaking out about, then it hit him.
In his shock he hadn’t kissed back.
It was too late for words, Gavin just wrapped and arm around Connor’s back and pulled him right back in.
Connor tumbled forwards with a soft squeak, but Gavin felt satisfaction swell within himself as Connor’s mouth immediately opened up underneath him.
Gavin pulled Connor into his lap and just held him there. He could easily get lost in the sensation of Connor’s warm, wet, mouth melded to his and the feeling of his body and Connor’s so deeply intertwined.
It had to end eventually, although Gavin would have happily kept making out on the couch like teenagers for hours if he had the opportunity.
“I probably should go.” Connor said softly, and he looked up at Gavin through his thick eyelashes. The flush on his cheeks had become even brighter, possibly with embarrassment, and Gavin could feel his own cheeks flush.
Gavin eyed the clock on the wall. “Yeah, I have to get to work soon.” He said regretfully.
“Thank you for letting me stay the night.”
Well, that wasn’t exactly on purpose, at least on Gavin’s end. If it had been, Gavin would not have chosen to sleep on the couch. Maybe next time, if there was a next time, they could sleep somewhere a little more comfortable, or Connor could take the guest bedroom if that would make him more comfortable.
“No problem.”
Gavin walked Connor to the door, and just before he opened it he leaned down to press a chaste kiss to Connor’s lips. “See you later.”
“See you.” Connor repeated, before he slipped out the door.
The moment Connor closed the door and was out of sight, Gavin slumped down heavily onto the couch.
That didn’t really help, all he could think about was the fact that he and Connor had slept there last night.
Gavin really did not know what had just happened.
Finding His Omega (Sweet Beginnings Bakery Book 3) Page 4
