KEEGAN

My life has been incredible lately. I was comfortable at home, making up for lost time. Every day, I learned more about my nieces and nephews. Children were fascinating, and it made me wonder if I would ever have children of my own. That thought had never crossed my mind before, but spending time with my family made me realize what I was missing. Did Meadow want to have kids? The image of the omega with a pregnant belly made my chest warm. But would that actually happen? I couldn’t leave my job behind, but I also didn’t want to give up on Meadow. 

“You ready to go, babe?” I heard my omega say, breaking me away from my thoughts. Today, we were going to town on a dinner date, and I had been waiting for him to finish checking on the horses to leave. 

“Yes, let’s go.” I said, leaving a soft peck on his lips and then opening the door for him. 

On the way to town, we talked about how our days went. Meadow mentioned how Jeremy was really close to his due date and that the baby could come out of him any time now. Thinking about it made me nervous. I hadn’t been here for any of the births of my nephews or nieces. I had only gotten pictures and video calls after the fact. But I couldn’t picture it. I didn’t know whether to feel excited or nervous about it.  

“Pregnancy is difficult.” I said, and then added. “Omegas are tough.” 

“It sure is. But Jeremy has experience.” Meadow mentioned, and I nodded. I felt it was the perfect time to ask that question.

“Are you interested in having kids?” I asked, curious about his stance.

“Mmm…” He gave it a thought for a moment and then answered. “Maybe in the future.”

“That’s good to know.” I said, taking a mental note that kids were not out of the plan with him.

Once we arrived at the town, I drove the way to a restaurant I remembered from the time I was a kid, Bamboo House. Our family used to have birthday dinners there, and it was Papa’s favorite. He loved their Kung Pao Chicken. I was glad to see the restaurant looked just like I remembered. Same decor and all. Hopefully, the food tasted just as good as I remembered. I parked outside and went out to get Meadow’s door. 

“Always a gentleman.” He said with a smile.

“The best for my Bunbun.” I gave him my charmiest smile, and offered my hand to him.

Soon, we were inside the restaurant. I had called ahead to reserve a private table. My wishes had been fulfilled, and now we were in a private room. Just our table and us. No noise from the restaurant. The perfect spot for a calm dinner date with my beloved omega. A waiter gave us some menus, and I read mine. All the options were making my mouth water.

“What do you want to order, Bunbun?” I asked.

“I think I’m ordering a Vegan Pad Thai.” He looked up from the menu. “What about you?”

“The Sriracha Honey Chicken wings are calling me.” I mentioned, but also added. “But I want to try the Wonton tacos.”

“We can order the tacos as an entree.” He suggested, and I thought it was a great idea.

“Sounds like a plan. Maybe add some fresh Spring rolls too?” I suggested back, I knew he preferred more veggie-oriented foods on his diet.  

“That would be nice.” Meadow answered with a big smile.

After we ordered our food, the waiter left and returned later with our drinks and our entrees. My phone in my pocket vibrated, but I decided to ignore it and focus only on Meadow. But the vibrations never stopped, as we continued to talk, my phone kept going in my pocket. I tried to tune out of it.

“So, how’s Emil? Any updates on the stupid alpha situation?” I asked and then took a bite of a taco.

“Last thing he told me, they scheduled a date. Since Samir is not from town, he has to travel here.” He mentioned and took a sip of his drink.

“Is he staying at the hotel?” I asked, wondering if he was man enough to show up there.

“I don’t think he would stay there. He is probably scared of you Beackmans.” Meadow said with a chuckle and then ate a spring roll. He did a happy dance, so it must be good.

“What? We are not that scary.” I arched a brow at him.

“Your dad, you, Owen, and Maverick would gang up on him for sure.” The omega said with a chuckle, dipping another one of the spring rolls in the peanut sauce and then taking a bite.

“Well, yeah. You are right. Papa would be nosy, too.” I nodded, understanding his point. 

“See what I mean? Samir doesn’t stand a chance at the ranch.” He mentioned, and I agreed.

Our food arrived later, we got free drink refills, and then we started eating. Meadow shared some of his pad thai with me; it was delicious. My attention went back to my phone, and I took it out for a second to see who was now calling me. The caller ID read ‘Marco’. I got confused, but also annoyed. Why was Marco being so insistent on getting to me? He was the one telling me to log off and enjoy my vacation. And now he was calling to interrupt my date with Meadow.

“Is there something wrong?” The omega asked, noticing I was distracted. 

“Sorry, I keep getting calls.” I said, showing him my phone. “I’ll mute it now.”

“You can answer.” Meado said with a nod. 

“No, we are on a date. I don’t want to be impolite.” I said with a sigh. “And it’s just Marco.”

“What if it is something important?” He asked. He was right. The reason for the calls must be something that couldn’t wait.

“Okay. Fine.” I said, defeated. I gave him a wink. “I will be right back.”

I stood from the chair and walked outside to a quiet spot to take the call. I noticed Marco had been sending me text messages and had called me since I was not answering. I frowned, thinking something bad had happened, but I was also annoyed at the interruption. 

“Hello?” I said, trying not to sound too annoyed.

“Keegan, finally. Why were you not picking up?” Marco said on the other end of the line. “Are you busy?”

“I’m in the middle of a date with my boyfriend.” I said in a serious tone. That gave my irritation away.

“Shit. I’m so sorry for interrupting.” My friend apologized.

“Just tell me, what is it?” I asked, trying to end this call quickly so I could get back to Meadow.

“Remember the Nexus deal?” Marco asked. 

“Yes, what of it?” I said.

“Well, we are close to making the deal happen.” Marco said. The news was great, we had been trying to close that deal for months. But I knew there was something wrong. There was a but.

“But?” I asked with a sigh.

“I need your signature to close it.” Marco said, and I cursed to myself. Leaving when such a big deal was right around the corner had been a mistake. “You don’t have to come, just send me a digital signature. You took your laptop with you, right?”

“I did. I will send it to you. When do you need it?” I asked him. I wanted the deal to close, but I needed to know a time limit.

“The sooner the better. Kinda need it asap.” Marco said what I feared most. I had to send it basically now. 

“Fine. I will send it to you. Give me a few.” I said with a sigh, trying to think about how to solve this.

“Sorry again for interrupting your date.” My friend said once again.

“No worries. I will send it to you soon.” I hung up and let out a deep sigh. 

I hated the idea of having to go face Meadow and tell him we had to skip dessert. Carrot Bundt cake was on the menu, and I wanted to order some for him. Now, I had to go back in there and tell him we had to go back. I felt bad and also angry. I wanted to spoil him rotten, but the universe seemed to have other plans. 

I had never hated my job as I did at this moment.

BUNNY

“I’m sorry I had to cut our date short, Bunbun.” Keegan said, apologizing for the millionth time. We were on our way back to The Ranch.

“You don’t have to apologize. It’s not your fault.” I said, understanding. 

“I know, but I feel bad for cutting it like this. If it wasn’t for that important deal we need to close, I wouldn’t have ended it early.” He explained with a deep sigh as he drove the car.

“Do you have to go back to close the deal?” I asked in a neutral tone, not wanting to show my fear. 

“No, no. I can do it remotely. Marco just needs my signature.” Keegan explained. “Luckily for me, I brought my laptop with me.”

“That’s good. I hope you get that deal closed then.” I said with a soft smile. 

“I probably will take long.” He mentioned apologetic and then added. “I won’t be able to spend the night at your room.”

“That’s okay. Your job calls.” I mentioned.

After we arrived home, I left a kiss on Keegan’s lips and tried my best to hide my emotions. Even when I smiled at him, I was heartbroken inside. When my body hit my soft bed, the tears started to come down my cheeks, and I couldn’t stop them. Keegan’s phone call had been a reality check for me. I had been living happily in the clouds for the past weeks, but that call had grounded me back to land. Keegan was not meant to stay forever. He was going to leave and go back to the city one day. Our relationship had a limited time, and it could end at any second. Once Keegan left for the city, it was all going to be over.