Olin chuckled as Assa invited him to sit. When Assa glanced back toward the other side of the room, he saw that the beta was gone.
Oh well. He smiled at Olin.
It had been eight years since Assa and Wes spent the night with him in Warburton. When they began working at the university in Bellwether, Olin had re-introduced himself. There was no question of sleeping together again—the alpha was happily andmonogamouslymarried—but it was nice to have him as a friend.
“Wes is finishing up with a student who came in at the last second for office hours. I had an errand at the library, so he asked me to find you and tell you he’s running late.”
“Why didn’t he text?”
“Something about leaving his phone at home.”
“That explains why he never responded to the message I sent after lunch,” Assa said. “I’m not surprised he forgot. It was hectic getting Ryde to the bus this morning.”
“Everything okay?”
“Typical stuff. He neglected to tell us until halfway through breakfast that it was crazy hair day at school. Best I could do was a bunch of tiny ponytails. Not sure how creative it was, but it certainly looked insane.”
Olin barked a laugh. “I’ll bet.”
“Make fun all you want. It will be you soon enough.” Olin’s omega was expecting their first child.
“Oh, I know. I’m looking forward to it.”
“I’m jealous you get to do the newborn thing. Those days are so special. You’ll have to let me and Wes babysit sometime.”
Olin gave him an inscrutable look. “I’m sure we’ll take you up on the babysitting, but if you really want to experience that stage again, have you guys thought about having another?”
Assa felt the sharp jab of pain in his heart that came whenever this topic arose.
His feelings must have shown on his face because Olin quickly added, “Of course it’s none of my business. And you don’t need to explain anything you don’t want to.”
“No, it’s fine.” Assa recited the information he and Wes had agreed was safe to give people. “We love being fathers, but surrogacy is not in the cards for us. Too expensive. We adopted Ryde, but it almost didn’t happen—I’m sure you’ve heard the story of how a professor in Wes’s department outed our polyamory to the university?”
“Yes. I’m sorry that happened to you. Especially since I know from experience how professional and discreet you are.”
Assa waved his hand. “I appreciate that, but it’s water under the bridge. Honestly, I prefer how it is now. Everyone knows, but they’re fine as long as we don’t openly display it. That feels better than trying to keep the secret.” He paused before continuing, “Exposing us didn’t placate Lux. He also blackballed us with every adoption agency in the province. None of them would work with us anymore because of ourquestionablelifestyle.”
Olin’s face pinched thoughtfully. “But if you were blackballed, how did Ryde come into your lives?”
“Pure luck. Wes knew someone at the university who arranged a private adoption with an omega father who didn’t have an issue with our open marriage.”
“Ah. Well, that’s good. And who knows, lightning might strike twice.”
“Maybe,” Assa said.
“If you and Wes ever need a character reference or anything like that, I’m happy to help.”
Assa and Wes were lucky to call this man their friend. All the same, Assa hoped Olin was done asking questions. The alpha meant well, but they had to be careful about discussing Ryde’s adoption.
Olin assumed the Pashuks had met Ryde’s omega father, but that wasn’t the case. The couple didn’t even know his name. When the agency representative insisted on a closed adoption, Wes and Assa had been so desperate for a child that they hadn’t thought twice. Later, when they noticed details that didn’t add up, they decided not to dig too deep. After all, the baby had a birth certificate and the agency was reputable. Lux had made it impossible for them to adopt any other way, so they’d taken their miracle and hadn’t asked questions.
But they didn’t live in Warburton anymore. Perhaps they could list themselves with the agencies here, Assa thought. They could be open about being polyamorous this time, and if an omega chose them, awesome. If not, then they already had the greatest kid on the planet. Their family was complete with or without another child.
Thankfully, Olin switched topics, grousing about a student napping during his lectures. Assa listened with half an ear, grateful his participation required little more than the occasional nod.
Wes strolled into the room.
“What were you guys talking about?” he asked.