CHAPTER 21: IT’S A PERSONAL PREFERENCE.

Leo glances at the door as it chimes, watching as an older couple take a seat at a booth near the back window. The omega sighs and curls a strand of blond hair around his finger. There’s been a steady flow of customers today, so the kitchen has been busy. Usually it’s slow on Monday’s and Leo has enough time to sneak a nap in the back room, but not today.

He covers his yawn with his hand and leans back against the front counter. Roxanne has been all cheery and sunshine, and Ethan also looks less uptight. He’s glad his friend caved and let Zander take him out.

Leo begged him to tell him every little detail of what happened on their dinner date, but Ethan insisted it wasn’t because Beau and his mom were there. Then he finally gave in. Only it was all boring. Nothing happened between the dominant alpha and the beta, much to Leo’s disappointment.

Leo straightens up when the door chimes again, but huffs when a man walks in. It really is busy today.

"Are you expecting someone?" Ethan stands next to him and grabs a mug.

"Huh?" Leo blinks at him. Is he waiting for someone? The omega bites his lip. It’s been a week and Max hasn’t showed up at the restaurant. A little more than that since he let Max feel him up. Leo frowns, "No." He finally answers.

Ethan hums, "It’s like your still half asleep. Do you want me to make you a coffee?" The beta glances over at his friend and raises an eyebrow, but Leo doesn’t hear him.

"Why didn’t he ask for my number?" The omega mutters to himself. He raises his thumb to his lips and bites his nail. If Max really had been coming by the restaurant in hopes of seeing him, why hasn’t he ever asked for his number?

Max is a smart alpha who successfully climbed the heirarchy of society. He has the money to buy any kind of expensive coffee in the world, and he decided he liked the one they made here. There is no way it’s because of the drink or because of a lowly omega like Leo. It just doesn’t make sense. What does Max even like about him?

Is it the way he looks? Is it his blue eyes? It definitely isn’t his personality, not when he’s been nothing but dismissive of Max. He winces and pulls his thumb back to see it bleeding.

"Damn." He licks the wound and then pressed it against the sleeve of his shirt.

"You need to relax." Ethan murmurs. He presses a mug of steaming tea into Leo’s hands and sighs. Leo stares at him. Ethan is cute. Ethan is set to take over his mother’s restaurant which has the potential to be more. Unlike the beta, Leo is nothing but a waiter. The omega can’t cook or manage. He’s not smart. He has no special talents or skills.

"Of course he would disappear after a rump in the bathroom." Leo mutters bitterly as he glares at the edge of the cup.

"A little rump in the bathroom?" Ethan crosses his arms over his chest and stares at him hard. He tilts his head, "I thought he was a stalker?"

Leo flushes red and avoids his friends gaze. "That’s hardly what matters right now."

Ethan scoffs and leans his hip against the counter, "How did you go from rejecting him to getting frisky in a public toilet? There’s something you’re not telling me." Leo groans and takes a sip of the drink Ethan made him.

"I have severe mood swings?" Leo clears his throat and then scratches the back of his neck.

"Whatever, it’s fine." Ethan sighs. He pushes himself off the counter and helps a customer who’s paying for their meal. After they leave, he turns back to Leo. "You don’t have to tell me anything. But I’m here if you want to talk about it."

"Ugh," Leo drops his head on the counter, his shoulders dropping. He stares at Ethan’s worn out sneakers and frowns. "I don’t know, I guess he’s my type after all." He shrugs, the fabric of his apron bunching. He still has Max’s jacket. It doesn’t matter how many times he tells himself to just toss it out. As soon as he catches a whiff of his scent, he ends up pressing his entire face into the fabric and taking a deep breath.

It’s become his morning and night ritual. But it’s not like Leo can tell Ethan that. He ignores the way his face burns and stands up straight. He grabs his mug and takes a drink.

"His pheromone is so warm and comforting." Is what he says instead. Not so much information, but enough to get the point across.

"Yeah?" Ethan’s eyebrows raise. "That’s surprising. You usually hate the way alphas smell."

Leo shrugs, "It’s a personal preference."

"What does Max smell like?" Ethan asks. He wipes the counter with a towel, acting busy so if his mother peeks over, she won’t yell at him.

Leo tilts his head and hums as he thinks about it, "Like nuts?"

Ethan’s eyes widen and he chokes on a laugh, "Warm nuts?"

Leo’s eyes widen, and his head swivels to glare at his friend. "Don’t -!" The front door chimes as another customer enters.

"He smells like sweaty nuts?" Ethan cackles. His gaze slides over Leo’s shoulder and his eyes widen. He slams his hand over his mouth, smothering his laugh.

"Who smells like sweaty nuts?" A deep and familiar voice asks. Leo pales, and Ethan clenches his jaw from trying to hold in his amusement.

The beta clears his throat, folds the towel and puts it away in a bin. "I have to go check on something. So. . ." He turns and walks away, his shoulders shaking.

Leo clenches his eyes shut, not wanting to turn around. Why does he show up now? Why now of all times?! He had a week to come by and he chose now?!