9. Liam

Leaving the house with Ben as we car share to the office; I'm glad he's making the move to go back. I highly doubt on any level that he will stay all day, but it's a start. The poor dude has been through the wringer, facing something no one should ever have to. If it had been me, I'd have folded like a cheap tent, but he's holding up behind these mile-high castle walls he's built around himself. Never really an open guy, he is so much more closed off now, and it makes my heart hurt for him. Zara is little Miss Ray of Sunshine, though, and I knew she would bring a spark back to his life, even if it was to piss him off. It's a start. Sue and Peter consulted me and Henry before they even told Ben about Zara. We all agreed she was perfect. In person, she is even better than I could've imagined. Her scent, her tight little body and peachy ass, that face that could launch a thousand ships – not that I'm the kind to objectify omegas, mind you, but credit where it's due. She's bloody gorgeous, and it's doing my head in a bit.

I can't help but tease her; it's like she's this unwrapped lollipop, and I've always been one to poke at the world to see what happens. I sprung the date on her because I genuinely want to know what she'll say. It's not just about getting in her pants, although I'm an alpha drawn to her, so yeah, it's there, but she's got this air about her – like she knows exactly who she is, and that's fucking attractive.

Benjamin hasn't seen it yet, or if he has, he's pretending not to. The bloke's got more walls than a fortress, and for good reason. His heart was torn out and Zara is touching on edges that haven't felt warmth in ages. Then there's me, the alpha with a sense of humour as subtle as a house brick, wondering if there could be something more between me and Zara.

In the car with Ben now, driving towards the daily grind at the office, he's got his game face on as he keeps his eyes on the road—all business and determination. But he barely says a word.

"Thinking about Mia?" I venture.

He nods stiffly. "Always."

"And Zara?"

That gets his attention. He turns his head slowly toward me, eyes narrowing slightly. "What about her?"

I shrug nonchalantly. "She's good with her."

"How would you know?"

"If she weren't, you'd have her out on her ass quicker than lightning, so I'm making assumptions. Sue me."

Ben's jaw clenches, and he stares back at the road. "She's fine," he says in a clipped tone.

It's always ‘fine', ‘okay', or ‘alright' with him. No fluffy words, just plain, to the point, bordering on rude.

I let the silence sit, only the sound of the car engine and the occasional squelch of tyres through puddles still sitting there from the downpour of Friday, filling the space between us.

But as we pull into the office car park and go about our day, my thoughts never stray far from the tiny omega nanny. She's a conundrum wrapped in an enigma and draped in a cashmere cardigan that hugs all her curves in all the right places. I catch myself wondering what her answer will be to my proposition. I'm not letting it drop. Not yet. I will ask her again if I don't hear from her. Not in a creepy, stalker-y way, but I need her to know I'm interested and that I'm not going to let Ben stop something that could be really awesome.

My hand reaches for my phone to text her, but maybe that's being too eager. I slide the phone back into my pocket and focus on the pile of paperwork piled up around me. It's not just about playing it cool; it's about timing and respect. I need to show her that I'm serious, not just chasing a whim or a fantasy of my best friend's nanny.

It's like my mind's split in two – one half on client portfolios, the other on Zara's soft laugh, the way she challenged me without a single hint of fear this morning. It's refreshing, and while I can see she has that softer omega side, she isn't afraid to stand up for herself.

The day drags on, and finally, it's time to call it quits. Ben looks like he's about to drop from exhaustion, stress, or both. I'm shocked he made it to this point and didn't cave and go home at lunchtime. Sure, he'd have had to come back and pick me up, but maybe that's why he stayed. He doesn't say much as we head back to the car.

As we drive home, we pass by rolling hills dotted with sheep, the landscape bathed in the golden hues of late afternoon sun. It's strikingly beautiful here in the Lake District – tranquil, serene – yet it feels like we're stuck in a bubble of tension that even this view can't dissipate.

I clear my throat. "You did good today."

He snorts. "Gee, thanks, Dad."

I chuckle. "No, seriously. I mean it. You went the distance."

"Only because I had to drive your sorry ass back home."

"Ha! I knew it."

We share a laugh, and his tension eases a bit.

"Zara texted me updates. It made it easier, you know."

"Yeah, I can imagine."

The rest of the ride is quiet, but there's a kind of peace between us, a momentary truce in the silent battle Ben's got going on inside. He's a fortress, alright, but every stronghold has its weak spots, and I reckon Zara is one for him. He just doesn't know it yet or won't admit it.

When we get back to the house, I come in for a quick beer before heading home. It's lonely in my flat; even though it's only a short walk from here, I'm still alone when I get there. We find Zara and Mia in the garden. Mia is bundled up in her pram as Zara feeds the ducks that have waddled their way over from the small lake at the back of the estate. The sight does funny things to my chest, like maybe I want something more domestic than my bachelor pad and string of meaningless dates.

Zara looks up and smiles at us. God, that smile floors me. "You're back."

Ben grunts a reply, scooping Mia up from the pram with an expertise only a parent possesses. But his usual stoic face softens just for a second as he kisses his daughter's head.

Zara's gaze lingers on me, a secretive smile on her face that tells me that she is thinking about the possibility of a date. I run my hand through my hair.

"Yeah," I say, voice casual, my gaze never leaving hers. "Looks like you've had a productive afternoon."

"You have ducks! No one told me about the ducks."

"You're a fan of ducks?" I ask, making a mental note for some reason, just cataloguing things away.

"Who isn't?" she responds. "Ducks, deer, cows, sheep. You don't get those in the middle of London. Pigeons, yes. Lots and lots of pigeons, but no ducks."

I laugh, and I'm glad to see the corners of Ben's mouth twitch upwards, too. It's a rarity these days. "We'll have to make sure you're fully briefed on all the wildlife around here then," I say, still watching Zara.

She laughs, the sound light and airy, like it could lift the lingering shadows in the corners of the garden. "I'd appreciate that. Countryside newbie here, remember?"

I raise an eyebrow and tap a finger to my lips, pretending to consider something deeply important. "Might require several guided tours. Deep immersion in the local culture, and all."

Her eyes dance with amusement. "Sounds very comprehensive."

Ben clears his throat, looking between us with an unreadable expression for a moment before fixing his gaze on Mia, who's starting to fuss for attention. He bounces her easily and diverts the conversation back to safer ground. "We should get inside before it gets too chilly for her."

Zara nods, her attention shifting back to her charge. She grabs the pushchair as Ben heads into the house and follows, pushing it along and getting it through the back door with ease.

I linger by the door, watching as Ben heads toward the stairs with Mia cuddled close against his chest. Zara hangs back a bit as she folds down the pram.

Once Ben is out of earshot, I lean in a little closer to Zara. "About earlier," I murmur, keeping my voice low.

Her cheeks colour just a tad, and she looks away briefly before meeting my gaze again. Her scent, that gorgeous lavender with honey undertones, wafts in my direction and I'm a lost alpha.

"Hmm?" she murmurs.

"Did you give it some thought?"

She bites her lip, a hint of a smile teasing at the edges. "Maybe I did. A girl can ponder her options, can't she?"

"Absolutely," I agree with a nod. "Options are important."

"We are talking about the same thing, right?" There's a playful glint in her eye that says she knows exactly what we're discussing.

"Of course we are," I flash a grin. "I wouldn't be so forward as to assume you've thought about anything else."

Her laugh echoes in the small space between us. "You're confident. I'll give you that."

"I try," I reply, my voice as smooth as I can make it. "So, should I take that as you're considering saying yes?"

She tilts her head, casting a thoughtful glance towards the upstairs where Ben has disappeared. "I am considering it," she confesses. "But there's a lot to think about, you know?"

"I know," I admit, "but sometimes overthinking can steal away the fun parts."

"Mmm." Her gaze meets mine again, full of promise and caution mixed into one beautiful package.

I take a step back, giving her room to breathe. "When you're ready to stop considering and start experiencing, let me know. My number's on the fridge."

She giggles but sobers up quickly. "I will."

With that, she turns away from me, heading up the stairs with an unhurried grace that leaves me standing in the doorway, feeling like maybe the odds are stacked in my favour.