Crossing Ties - Susi Hawke Page 0,38

side. "See? This is how rumors get started."

Leaf giggled like Rory was telling a joke. "No, sweetie. Rumors get started by expanding baby bumps. You know, like the one you're going to have in a couple weeks." He froze, wincing as if suddenly realizing that maybe we hadn't known. "Shoot. I'm sorry. The curse of being a cat shifter strikes again." He wrinkled his nose and rubbed his fingers over it. "Even in human form, my sense of smell is super strong. Feel free to take a pregnancy test if you want, but I'm definitely picking up on the sweet orange blossom scent that I associate with pregnancy."

When Rory started to shake, Leaf set Skylar down and darted forward, startling us both by wrapping his arms around Rory. He was hugging my mate so tight that he was on tiptoe with his cheek pressed against the middle of Rory's chest. It would've been adorable if I wasn't so worried about the fact that my mate was quietly freaking out.

Before anyone could notice what was happening, I guided both men toward the dining room. "Let's get out of the middle of everything, hmm? You know what always makes me feel better when I've had a shock? Ice cream. Pops keeps the freezer stocked with enough flavors to open a damn ice cream parlor. Actually, now that I think about it we should probably just stay in the kitchen, so I don't end up dishing out ice cream cones for all the kids."

Leaf slipped his arm through Rory's. "I'm sorry. I know I already said that, but I really am. I feel bad that I gave you a shock at your own party. We're supposed to be celebrating the fact that you're newly mated, not talking babies. Although, the two do tend to kinda go together."

I started to head for the kitchen, but Rory grabbed my hand and nodded toward the French doors. "The kids will still smell ice cream. I'm surprised we got away with even saying the word this many times. That's just a fact of life. Tiny humans have radar for that shit. How about we just go outside and talk it out?"

Leaf stopped mid-step. "Oh, I should let you go then. That sounds like a private discussion."

Rory grinned and gave Leaf a tug forward. "Oh, no. You're not getting off that easy, buddy. You discovered it, that means you get to be the godfather. And my baby's godfather has to be someone I'm close to, right? That means we don't have a lot of time to become besties."

Leaf ran ahead and opened the door. As soon as he got outside he spun in a circle and squealed. "Do you mean it? That's so awesome! I love both besties and babies! Like, for real though. I'm going to be the best godfather ev-er." He sang the last word, making me and Rory both crack up.

It was hard not to laugh when Rory ruffled Leaf's hair like he was a pup. "I do mean it. You can ask anyone I know, I never say anything that I don't mean. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever had a best friend before. And I definitely don't hang out with other omegas. Maybe this will be good for me."

Leaf's mouth hung open for several seconds before he started chattering. "I'm sad that you've never had a best friend. But is it bad that I'm also happy I get to be the first? Just wait, I'm a good friend. You'll see. Especially when you get cravings. Just call me and I'll show up with food. And don't feel bad about calling because I love bringing food. And making people smile. It's kinda my thing. And why didn’t you hang out with omegas? I mean, clearly I love alphas because I stick with my big smelly guy, but omegas are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. I probably didn’t have to spell that. But holy crap, Rory, do I have a whole new world to show you."

We sat down around a patio table. Rory hesitated next to a chair before taking a seat on my lap instead. I wrapped my arms around him and nuzzled his neck. "Good choice, Irish. I really need to hold you right now and know that you're okay."

Even Leaf was quiet while Rory considered my question. When he looked me in the eye and nodded, a whole swarm of butterflies erupted in my chest. "You know what? I really am