Amusing You - Claire Cullen Page 0,38

outside for some air, his thoughts racing. Harper might deny it, but he was vulnerable. And what had William gone and done but taken full advantage as soon as the offer was made? He should have kept it strictly business between them; that would have been fair. Instead, he’d let himself grow comfortable, ask for things that weren’t his right to ask for from an omega who was his employee, not his boyfriend. Kicking himself and feeling guilty as hell, he resolved to do better. Giving Harper up was an option of last resort. But he could, and would, do the right thing and keep some distance between them.

Chapter Eighteen

As strange as it was to say it, Harper didn’t think he’d ever been happier. He had a satisfying work life, good sex, and enough money for once. If things continued as they were, he might even be able to afford a nicer apartment. He’d be sorry to say goodbye to Colin but having reliable heating and hot water in the dead of winter sounded heavenly. The only issue, which he was hoping was more in his head than anything else, was William.

He’d expected some post-heat awkwardness as they settled back into their roles but had been pleasantly surprised when there was none. Two weeks had passed, and his and William’s routine was back on track. But then the alpha started making changes to their schedule. It was small things and, at first, Harper assumed they were temporary. Like eating out at a restaurant instead of cooking together. But the next week, the same thing happened. He tried to talk it out with William, and the alpha claimed he didn’t have the energy for cooking and wanted a break. But when their usual movie night curled up on the couch became an impersonal trip to the theater, Harper knew they were in trouble. William was pulling away. He didn’t know why, except that it had to be his fault somehow. Had he been too clingy, during his heat or afterward? Had he been too forward?

“What’s eating you?”

Harper glanced up as Zac shoved a cup of coffee in his face. He grimaced and set it down on the table.

“Nothing.”

“Right, nothing. You had that same look on your face when you figured out Demi was cheating on you. I can’t see William stepping out on you, so I’ll ask again. What’s up?”

“I think I did something.”

“What kind of something?”

“I don’t know. He’s just been weird these past few weeks.”

“Weird how?”

Harper hesitated. He had to be careful what he said, since Zac still thought he was William’s boyfriend and not his muse.

“He’s distant. He keeps changing our plans. A night in becomes a night out. A chance to sit side by side means us on either side of the biggest table he can find. It feels like he’s pushing me away.”

Zac sighed and shuffled closer, his knee pressed against Harper’s. “How long has this been going on for?”

“I don’t know… about a month? I think it might have been my heat that started it.”

Zac blinked. “But your heat was, what, six weeks ago?”

“Yeah.”

“And he was okay right after?”

Harper smiled wistfully at the memory. “He was perfect.”

“So what changed?”

“That’s just it. I don’t know.”

He groaned in frustration and reached for his coffee. But as soon as the aroma hit his nose, his stomach turned. With a huff of annoyance, he set it back down, turning his accusing gaze on Zac.

“What did you put in that coffee?”

“What do you mean? It’s just coffee.”

“No, I like coffee. But that… whatever you’ve done to it, it’s just wrong.”

Frowning, Zac set his own cup down and picked up Harper’s. He sniffed it, and then took a sip.

“It’s fine, Harper. Just the way you like it.”

“I swear the milk is off or something.”

“It’s not,” Zac insisted. “Try mine.”

Harper grabbed Zac’s cup and brought it to his mouth, only to nearly gag at the smell. “Yours too. Seriously, duck. Are you on some nut milk health kick?”

“Only almond milk. But not for coffee. I used dairy.”

Harper sat back in his chair and eyed the cups distastefully. “Well, something’s wrong with them.”

“Or maybe…” Zac started, then stopped. “Did you have coffee for breakfast this morning?”

“I didn’t feel like it. Had orange juice instead.”

“What about yesterday at the cafe? Did you have any then?”

“Too busy. Tessa’s training me on the bakery side of things.”

After she’d heard him talking about his cooking and baking experiments with William, she’d asked if he was interested in