“Like the kind we have in the freezer or a soft serve?” Preston asked as she padded around the couch and plopped herself on my lap. I pulled her into me, letting her rest her forehead in the crook of my neck.
“Soft serve. With chocolate candy bits,” she whispered.
“Well, I guess that is my cue!” Preston set his half-drank beer bottle down and hauled himself up off the couch. “Do you want anything else?”
“Cheesecake?” Hailey asked softly.
“I can get you cheesecake,” he said, leaning down to kiss the top of her head.
Even though it was long past midnight, he wasn't even fazed at the notion of going out to get snacks for Hailey. The guy was probably exhausted but didn't care one bit.
As far as Preston was concerned, he was there to support Hailey, and that's what he was going to do.
I respected the hell out of that, and I had a feeling that when given the opportunity, he’d be one hell of an alpha.
Chapter 44
Preston
Iwas going to have a son.
It still felt surreal to think that. Ever since I’d found out Hailey was pregnant, I’d been thinking about it nonstop. But now, holding my omega in my arms, it felt that much more real. Months of waiting for this moment were finally behind me.
She’d waited for me.
When Hailey had pulled out that envelope and told me what was in it, my heart leaped into my throat. After everything that had happened between us, I’d never expected her to wait for me. Honestly, if I were in her position, I wasn't sure I could have done it, could have been as strong and patient as Hailey was.
Because of her, we found out we were having a sonas a pack.
It felt wrong to be so blissfully happy considering the situation we were in. More than anything, I wished my work hadn't gotten in the way of Hailey and me bonding like we should have. She’d suffered tremendously, and I hated myself for it. Still, somehow, she was managing to not just tolerate my presence, but to actually work on that connection. To…bond with me. Hailey regularly dragged me into the nest for cuddles, though I wasn't sure whether shewantedme or if it helped ease the lingering sickness.
Either way, I would take any snuggles or moments of affection I could get.
Eventually, though, after a few days of agonizing over it, my curiosity got the better of me.
“You should hate me,” I muttered softly. We were curled up in the nest, just the two of us. Hailey was pressed against my side, her face shoved into my chest as she dozed on and off. With one hand, I held her close, and with the other, I gently ran my fingers through her hair, making her hum with satisfaction every now and then.
“I should,” she agreed, her tone gentle but sure.
I shifted to look down at her, my pulse obvious in my neck. “Then why don't you?”
Hailey squinted, a sign she was really considering it.
“Everything has been so hard for the last few months. I’ll admit that I just want to enjoy having my entire pack in one place for once. You're not off the hook, by a long shot, I assure you. But I'mexhaustedand just want to focus on bringing this baby into the world safely and happily.”
“I amsosorry.” I held her eyes, not backing away from the discomfort I felt beneath her gaze. “I hope you know that.”
“Sorry that we bonded or sorry that you bonded me when you had to leave immediately?” Hailey asked, sitting up a bit.
“I'm sorry about the circumstances surrounding our bond,notthat we bonded,” I assured her, cupping her cheek. “It should have been different. We should’ve been able to go from that alleyway to an apartment and spent the following months together, nonstop.”
Hailey snorted lightly, regarding me with a smirk. “Do you think we would’ve made it to an apartment or still had sex in the alley, even if you hadn't been working?”
My face heated, memories stirring my blood. “Honestly, I'm not sure. My instincts were going so haywire that night. Thedesperation had nothing to do with my job andeverythingto do with how amazing the omega who was sitting next to me smelled.”
“Yeah, I also sat next to this alpha who smelledfartoo amazing for his own good.” She giggled.
“How can I make it up to you?” I asked, genuinely seeking anything I could do to begin this road to connection for us. “I know one thing won’t fix everything, but I need somewhere to start.”