“I haven’t really thought through specifics, but I suppose that’s our best option. We’ll need to screen very carefully to weed out any connections to work or Ryde’s school.”
The world had come a long way over the past few years in accepting non-monogamy, but it still wasn’t the norm. Even though Wes and Assa worked at a progressive institution, they didn’t draw attention to themselves. Because their lifestyle had been common knowledge in Warburton, most of their colleagues here also knew. But that didn’t mean they wanted to flaunt it and cause more curiosity. Wes had only been an assistant dean in the history department at Bellwether Province University for a year. And Assa had been lucky to find a position in the biology lab after being a stay-at-home father for seven years.
Apps had been hit or miss in the past. Great conversations over messages had not always led to sparks in real life, creating awkward situations where Wes and Assa, or their potential third, backed out of the arrangement.
But since adopting Ryde, they rarely went out, so finding options at bars and clubs wasn’t a viable solution.
Assa sighed. “I suppose we can download the apps again. See what this province has to offer.” He sipped his latte. “I just wish it could happen organically. Wouldn’t it be nice to walk down the street and run into a big, beautiful alpha who—”
“Lolo, there’s a call for you on the office line!”
Wes glanced toward the booming voice and saw a stunning alpha coming out of the kitchen. Tall and broad with piercing green eyes, the man ran a hand through his brown curls as he smiled at the server.
“I think it’s your boyfriend. It sounded like it might be important, so I’ll cover you for a few minutes.”
As Lolo hurried into the back, the man tied an apron around his waist and began wiping down the countertop.
Wes noticed Assa carefully studying him.
Wes couldn’t blame his husband. The alpha was undeniably beautiful. His striking green eyes reflected like emeralds in the glass bakery case. Silver strands dotted his hairline, as well as the scruff along his sharp jaw. Wes guessed him to be in his late thirties or early forties, an alpha in his prime.
A minute later, he approached their table. Assa’s face pinched as if he were solving a puzzle.
“Lolo told me we had some first-time customers who saw one of our cakes in the wild.”
Fuck me!The alpha’s throaty voice went straight to Wes’s core.
He gulped. Usually, his fantasies involved taking turns with someone on Assa, but with a man this sexy, it was hard not to imagine having his own ass railed.
Wes almost laughed out loud. He didn’t generally go around imagining getting fucked by random men. This one just happened to be close by after he and Assa got horny talking about finding a third.
He recovered his equilibrium. “The cake was at our colleague’s wedding this weekend. Are you the designer?”
“No, I can’t take credit for the cakes. Only for hiring the talented omega who makes them.”
By the hitch in his voice, Wes sensed the omega was more than an employee.
“Well, the cake certainly caused a stir,” Wes said. “In a good way, of course.”
The alpha glanced at Assa, as though to include him in the conversation, offering a friendly nod. Then he whipped his head back and did a double take. Then a triple take, before knitting his eyebrows together.
“Actually,” Assa pretended not to notice the alpha’s bewilderment. “We were hoping to order a cake for our son’s birthday party. He’s turning eight. Do you do special occasion cakes, or just weddings?”
Assa avoided making direct eye contact with the man.
“It’s mostly weddings,” the alpha replied distractedly before clearing his throat. “But, um, Zinn—he’s the cake genius around here—doesn’t mind branching out. Except I should warn you that we’re pretty booked.”
“We figured that might be the case,” Wes said, confused by the weird vibe but trying to get the conversation back on track. “That’s why we’re inquiring now. The party isn’t for a few months, at the end of March. Is that enough lead time for your schedule?”
“Two months is plenty of time for something like that,” the alpha said. “And Zinn might enjoy working on a child’s birthday cake for a change.” Again, he sounded wistful when speakingabout his employee. “Unfortunately, he isn’t working today, or I’d have him speak to you himself. But I can take a deposit and put you on the schedule. Then you can come in and talk design specifics when we get closer to the date.”
“That sounds great.”
“When you’re done with your food—no rush—please come ask for me at the counter and I’ll start the process. I’m Calder, by the way.”
Assa’s breath hitched.
“Thank you. I’m Wes Pashuk, and this is my husband—”