Amusing You - Claire Cullen Page 0,23

were already over their allotted time.

“How about a drink first?” Harper suggested. “We’ll find a cozy corner somewhere.”

William paid for their meal and then led Harper across the room. There was a throng trying to order drinks from the bar, and they were a little over-exuberant. He put a protective arm around the omega as he guided them both through them. They were just out of the crowd when they almost ran full tilt into someone all too familiar.

“William! What brings you to my part of town?”

Trying to hide his panic, aware that he still had an arm around Harper, he did his best to stay casual.

“Brendan, how are you?”

“Great, great. Just out with some friends to watch the game.”

William’s hope that Brendan wouldn’t recognize his companion was dashed a moment later.

“Harper, I haven’t seen you since Zac’s wedding. Are he and Beckett here?”

“No,” William answered faintly, his mind in a panic trying to think of something to say, something to explain this away.

“So you two are…”

“Dating,” he blurted out.

Brendan’s eyes widened briefly before he nodded. “I didn’t realize. Happy for you both.”

Someone called his name from behind them.

“That’s my cue. People to drink under the table, bets to win. I’ll catch you two lovebirds around, hey?”

And then he was gone, pushing through the throng.

William led Harper onward, his heart sinking. The omega’s body was tense, his posture stiff, and he all but dragged William over to a quiet corner.

“Dating?” he hissed. “What on earth possessed you to tell him we were dating?”

William shrugged helplessly. “I panicked.”

Harper glowered at him. “I’ll give you panic. How long do you think he’s going to keep that little bit of gossip to himself?”

William swallowed, realizing the omega was right. “Not long.”

Chapter Twelve

Harper wanted to kill William. Everything was going fine with the whole muse thing and then he had to go open his big mouth and say something stupid, like that they were dating. Why couldn’t he just have said that they ran into each other by chance? Or that they were planning a surprise party for someone? Anything would have been easier than the inquisition Harper knew he was going to face when he got to Zac’s house.

Beckett was just on his way out as he reached the door.

“Client meeting,” he said to Harper apologetically as he held the door open for him. “I’m sure William told you all about it. Zac’s in the lounge.”

It was Friday, and Luca was at his grandmother Sarah’s house, so Zac only had Henry to contend with. Which was a pity because, as far as Harper was concerned, the more distraction the better. He’d rehearsed what he was going to say, but it sounded fake and pathetic to his ears. Yet, he’d promised William he wouldn’t let them know the truth, and he wasn’t one to roll back on his promises, no matter how awkward a position they put him in.

“Harper, is that you?”

Zac was on the floor, changing a giggling Henry.

“Someone’s in a good mood,” Harper commented, wishing he could be that carefree and oblivious. Growing up sucked.

“Yes, he is. Which is a miracle given all the teething he’s got going on. Poor little guy.”

Zac got Henry dressed again, making silly faces all the while. “Want to say hello to Uncle Harper? You two can cuddle until nap time.”

Baby cuddles were exactly what he needed right then. He made grabby hands until Zac settled Henry into his arms.

“Hello, sweet baby boy. Your favorite uncle is here.”

He settled on the couch with Henry, smiling as big brown eyes regarded him curiously before the little one burst into a smile and mushed his face against Harper’s chest.

“Ah-ahh.”

“It’s good to see you too, kiddo,” Harper murmured, rubbing his back lightly.

Zac sat down next to him, and Harper could feel the omega’s eyes on him. He avoided his gaze, but as the minutes passed and the tension ratcheted up, he knew there was nothing for it but to face the music.

He lifted his head and met Zac’s eyes. “Something on your mind, duck?”

“You. And William. Dating.”

“I would think that was self-explanatory.”

“But it was hate at first sight when you two met.”

Harper shrugged. “Hate and love are two sides of the same coin, duck.”

He winced inwardly the second the words were out of his mouth. Mentioning William and love in the same breath? What was he thinking?

“Okay, but why are we hearing about it from Brendan and not the two of you?”

Harper felt his face grow hot. He hated not