CHAPTER 36: WHY DOES IT SEEM LIKE YOU’RE MOPING?

"The deposit. . ." The rest of the woman’s words are inaudible as she grabs the signed contract from Roxanne. The woman who dropped it off is the same one picking it up, except instead of a blue dress, she’s wearing black slacks and a button up beige shirt.

Ethan grips the ledge and leans forward, nearly falling through the kitchen window. He strains his ears to try and hear what’s being said between his mother and Susan, that’s the woman’s name. The front lobby may be empty but even through the silence, the two woman talk to low for him to hear anything. It’s frustrating to say the least.

Between the amount the anonymous Investor offered and the low risk of the return rate, Roxanne would’ve been crazy to decline. Still, it was best they discussed the pros and cons, with the positive outweighing the negative.

"You look like a lunatic," Jessie hisses from behind him. The older woman grabs his collar and tugs him back a step, allowing herself and Leo enough room to take a peak as well. Her greying black hair is pulled back, and her apron is hung on the wall. They closed an hour ago, so they all still smell like food. "At least don’t make it obvious."

"She already knows we’re back here, what’s the point of being discreet." Leo mutters from beside her.

"I want to hear what they’re saying." Ethan murmurs. It’s an exciting moment, it almost feels like a dream. This is everything his mother always wanted, a chance to do something big with her restaurant. After his father left them, Roxanne struggled emotionally, mentally, and physically. The man she loved for over half of her life just up and left with the claim of needing more than her simple little restaurant.

It hurt Ethan when he cut him off completely too. It wasn’t just the restaurant for the old man. It was everything. He didn’t want a family or obligations. It’s like he wanted nothing to with them at all. The way he could just erase the people who were once a part of his everyday life makes Ethan wonder if he ever loved them at all. His father talked big about wanting more, but to Ethan he will always be nothing but a coward.

Looking at Roxanne now, she looks a lot better than she did back when he first left. She’s tired from working hard, but thanks to that, she’s getting the reward she deserves. A chance to make her restaurant big. She has the means to move buildings. To become a Michelin star restaurant, or two or five. He wants her to dream higher.

It lifts a huge weight off of his shoulders. He can worry about her a little less now.

The door chimes and Susan leaves. As soon as the door shuts behind her, Leo is running past Ethan and out of the kitchen, squeezing Roxanne into a hug.

"Holy shizits, congratulations!" The omega pulls back and kisses her on the cheek. "We have to celebrate!"

Roxanne laughs and pulls away from him. She’s smiling from ear to ear, her brown eyes glowing as she rubs her hands together. "I can’t believe it’s really happening."

Ethan leans down to kiss her forehead before stepping back. "Leo and I," he wraps an arm around the omegas shoulder and tugs him towards the front door, "Will grab some drinks from the convenience store." He nods his head towards it, his brown hair sweeping over his eyebrows.

"And some snacks, please!" Jessie calls after the two. Ethan waves his hand in a show of his acknowledgement.

Leo ducks underneath Ethan’s arm and walks beside him. "To think you can go back to a stress free life." Leo sighs and nudges the beta with his shoulder. "You should be happy! Why does it seem like you’re moping?"

Moping? Does it seem like that’s how he’s feeling? In all honesty, while Ethan is thrilled about the opportunity his mother was given, he’s a little worried. Not about the investor but about his mother. This may be a once in life time chance for Roxanne, he doesn’t want her to be disappointed if things don’t turn out the way she wants it too. He doesn’t want to say that though, not to her and not to Leo. He’d rather not bring it to life and jinx it.

"I’m not." Ethan chuckles as they step inside of the store. "I guess it just hasn’t really hit me." He shrugs. He glances at the register and sees Beck, the owners nephew. Now that he remembers, he never came by.

"You’re still here?" Ethan calls out to him. "How long will you be working for your uncle?" Ethan grabs a basket from a stack near the door.

Leo doesn’t join the conversation. He wanders down the snack isle, picking out salty chips and sweet candies.

"Indefinitely." Beck chuckles. Ethan nods and moves to the drinks section. He picks out beer and wine coolers, and meets Leo at the counter.

"You guys having a party?" The beta behind the counter scans their items.

"Not really." Leo shrugs. Before introducing himself. "We’ve got a reason to celebrate, so-"

"You close soon right?" Ethan cuts Leo off and leans over the counter. "You should come join us. It’s just my mom and another staff member."

Leo blinks up at his friend. His blue eyes shift to the beta across from him. He’s going to invite him over? Not that he’s against the idea, the more the merrier he always says. Ethan doesn’t usually put himself out there on a whim, so it’s a little out of the ordinary for him.

"Sure. It’d be nice to get to know the neighbors." He pulls off his uniform vest and tosses it over the counter. "I’ll close up early and meet you there."

"Are you sure?" Ethan raises an eyebrow. "If you’ll get in trouble with your unc-"

"Yeah." Beck cuts him off with a wave of his hand, "Uncle wouldn’t mind."