Page 4 of Romancing the Omega

Chapter Two

Yeo watched the beautiful, blond woman kiss the handsome alpha’s cheek. Linc smiled at the woman then snuggled against the alpha’s chest. Yeo’s shoulders slumped even as he carried on his conversation with his customer. Of course an alpha that handsome and that sweet would be married. It wouldn’t matter even if he was single, Yeo reminded himself. He pinched his leg behind the counter and told himself not to be an idiot. A handsome face meant nothing.

“There’s already thirty people on the book club list. Do you think I should sign up with that many?” The woman in front of him looked disappointed.

“Of course you should,” Yeo said. “After we have a final number of participants, I’ll split them into smaller groups. The best book clubs are the cozy ones.”

The woman smiled. “Perfect. I’ll go sign up now.” She finished paying and grabbed her bag, running back to the sign-up sheet.

“I’m surprised a book club is that popular here,” a man said. He was older, but very attractive. In fact, he looked a lot like Mr. Handsome. The man stacked several copies of each of Roxanne Baxter’s novels on the counter. Yeo blinked at the stacks, then shook his head. If he had steady customers like this, The Book Worm would turn a hefty profit for sure.

“I think it’s more the socializing part of it,” Yeo said. “We’ll talk about a book, yes, but we’ll also have snacks, drinks, and good company. Are you interested?” He rang up the books, eyes widening at the total. The man just handed over his card, completely unconcerned about the bill.

“My wife and I are only in the area about once a month, so she was hesitant to sign up,” the man said. He pointed at the beautiful blond. “She loves reading, though, so if you don’t mind a few absences from her, I’ll tell her to go ahead.”

“She’s your wife?” Yeo frowned. Why was she kissing Yeo’s alpha if she was already married? Fuck. Not. My. Alpha. It was just the baby fever talking, and maybe the way Mr. Handsome held Linc in his arms. Steady and safe.

“Yes,” the man said. “My name is John and she’s Susan. Our son, Caden, is around here somewhere.”

“Son?” That would explain it. Good. Yeo wouldn’t have to break the man’s heart by telling him his wife was a hussy.

“Caden is a good man,” John said, patting his bags of books, his eyes full of pride. Damn. It must be nice to have a dad like him.

“I think he’s the one watching my son for me. Hmm, now that I say that aloud, I think I should probably go find my son,” Yeo said. The line had shortened just a bit, so Summer should be okay on her own for a few minutes.

Summer snorted. “If he’s a friend of Grey, then he’s good. Trust me.”

John laughed. “I think Caden headed to the kid’s corner. I’ll walk with you.”

Yeo followed the man, and they had to push through the crowds. If he were alone, he’d do a little happy dance right now. He hadn’t expected such a good crowd, even on opening day. The kid’s corner was full of toddlers and younger kids. Parents stood around, talking to one another and keeping an eye on their children. Yeo’s son was currently sleeping on Caden’s chest with a little red-haired girl. They hugged a very hairy rabbit between them. Caden’s deep voice flowed over the children gathered around him to listen to the story he read.

Yeo held in his sigh of pleasure. While this was just about the most adorable thing he’d ever seen an alpha do, Mr. Handsome couldn’t be perfect. If he’d learned anything from his family, it was that alphas couldn’t be trusted, even if this one looked absolutely perfect holding his son. He would make a wonderful dad. Yeo pinched his leg again. Damn baby fever!

Caden finished the story and the kids surrounding him slowly moved away. The older girl curled into his side grabbed his book and added it to a small pile next to him. “We need this one too, Uncle Caden. You never know when you’ll need a book to read to a baby.”

“Olive, darling, you have your Uncle Caden wrapped around your little finger,” John said. Caden looked up, his brown eyes widening when he saw Yeo. John held his bags and smiled down at his son. “You look comfortable there. Thinking about giving me more grandchildren? You’re already thirty-four, and you’re not getting any younger. When is the last time you went on a date?”

“Father,” Caden said, voice scandalized. Yeo couldn’t stop his smile.

“Uncle Caden, do you have to poop? You look like you have to poop,” Olive said. She put her head on her uncle’s shoulder and scrutinized his face.

“Hi,” Yeo said, stifling his laughter. “I’m Yeo Cook. That’s my son you have there. I’m sorry you got stuck with him.”

“He’s fine,” Caden said, blushing. He looked down at Linc. “I like him.” He looked at the little red-haired girl. “I have no idea who this is, though.”

Yeo smiled. “I’ll take Linc and put him in his nap roll behind the register.” He leaned down and picked his son up.

“Bun bun,” Linc said sleepily. He fell back asleep as soon as his head hit Yeo’s shoulder.

“I think he loves my rabbit,” Caden said, blush deepening. He tried to get up, but the other toddler was still sleeping and Olive still lay against him.

“He can’t possibly love that thing more than you,” John said. “I can’t believe you carry it around in a baby sling, son. You are far too attached to that rabbit. You really need to date more before you become the weird man with fifty rabbits.”

“Father,” Caden said again, a slight whine in his voice.

Yeo hid his smile against Linc’s soft hair. “I’ll just put Linc down. Thanks, Caden.” He made himself walk away. Caden looked like he wanted to follow, but he was trapped. His eyes followed Yeo all the way to the front of the store, and a shiver ran up Yeo’s back. He laid Linc in his nap roll. It was light purple and covered in rabbits. Linc did love his bunnies. He latched the baby gate, closing in the register area.

Summer smiled and said goodbye to her customer, then turned to Yeo. “He was nice, right?”