47. Eric’s Picnic Date

He had fallen for Alyssa, his assistant who had arrived late multiple times; finished his challenges like a pro and who had offered the stay up all night at work to complete something that Eric should have finished himself. The Alpha had been so horrible to her all this time without even realising it.





Eric looked down at Alyssa, who was still looking shocked and for the first time in his life, did something without thinking it over first; without thinking about the consequences.




“I want to kiss you” The Alpha announced and leant down, gently placing his lips against her. It was tender, slower and passionate than the last two times he kissed her. He was careful to not grab at her, instead gently wrapping his arms around her waist. Within a few seconds, he pulled away to be able to get a good look at her reaction.



The omega blinked a few times then leaned back in and kissed him, a proper kiss this time. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him in closer. Eric could not believe it that she’s kissing him back without any fear. Anyone could walk in his office and that person would be fired over it but yeah. Then again, he was too happy to care about what other people might think.



To both of their disappointment, they had to break their kiss for air. “There’s still a lot we need to talk about”, Alyssa murmured against his lips, but he cut her off with another kiss.



He crushed his lips against her, holding her cheeks in his hands as he lapped at the inside of the omega’s mouth, nipped at her lips, slid over her mouth. Alyssa whined and gasped as he did so, every movement he made being rewarded by a new sound. He leaned forward, his hands freely sliding over her cheeks and then down her neck and shoulders as she wriggled happily against him.



Slowly, Alyssa dropped her hands from his neck and looked at Eric properly, eyes still wide and hands shifting nervously. After a moment, she cleared her throat carefully. “Uh...I don’t know if you know this but-”



“I know” Eric interrupted her, very well knowing that she was referring to her dating Nicholas and Adrian. He had eyes and also he could see his friends dopey grin whenever Alyssa was mentioned. It was not uncommon for omegas to be courted by multiple Alphas. Most of them end them up being together.



“Oh”



“And I still want to court you.”



She audibly swallowed, her cheeks flushed. “Okay”


That went a lot easier than he thought.
***

As much as he wanted to keep Alyssa locked in his office forever, he couldn’t. Eric took her to the staff and publicly apologised while also asking them to cut all ties with Paris. He didn’t want that plotting beta anywhere in the office.



“I hope this will make you forgive me” He whispered as they started walking back towards her office.



She teasingly smiled. “I’ll think about it, Alpha.”



That minx!



The day bled into the evening, and they all got off work. He offered to drive her to which she readily agreed, a radiant smile on her face. How did he get so lucky? Eric thought.
***

“So where are you taking Alyssa?” Nicholas questioned, leaning against the couch.



Adrian and Nicholas needed to know that Eric planned on courting Alyssa too. So he told them over the weekend. They were at Alyssa's house, apparently eating pizzas judging from the boxes lying around.



Eric grinned and dropped onto one knee to unzip his bag. He lifted it for the Alphas to see.



“A picnic?” Adrain smiled. “She’ll love that.”



“You think?” Eric asked, not trying to hide how his voice pitched up hopefully. He had spent far too long planning the perfect date.



“I know so.”



As silence fell over them, Eric lifted his head to stare at their expression.



“Hey, you both alright?” He asked.



“It’s stupid,” Nicholas said, “But – I guess I was worried that you wouldn’t like us dating Alyssa.”



“Yeah” Adrian added. “When you came back from the trip things have been a bit tense between us.”



A cold feeling settled in his stomach. He wanted to curse himself for making them feel that way. It was never his intention. Eric was just messed up because he could figure out his feelings for Alyssa.



“Oh. I – “ Eric stuttered, “I am sorry.”



“It’s alright.”



“We’re okay now,” Nicholas interrupted.


Adrian took a deep breath; his voice caught up. “I just want to you know,” his voice soft and halting, “You’re not taking anything from us.”




“You mean that?” He asked.



“I do,” Adrain said, “You are our best friend. And Alyssa adores you. Don’t worry about anything else.”




Eric opened his mouth, but his lips could only quiver and open and close uselessly, and eventually. He couldn’t believe it, but he had the best friends he could ask for.



After what felt like ages, Alyssa came out of her bedroom. She was practically skipping, dressed in a brand new outfit and holding a large, floppy sunhat in her hands. The omega was kissed by both the Alphas before he took her hand and led Alyssa out of the flat.
***


It was sunny out. The park was filled with families, but they were able to find an open stretch of grass free of noise and fallen leaves.



Eric tossed down the checkered blanket he had brought along. He held Alyssa's hand and helped her down onto the blanket before sitting down. He pulled out the food from the basket: the bread and jars of jam, the cheese and crackers, the strawberries, a box of chocolates, lemonade in glass bottles. Alyssa smiled and dipped her head, the large brim of her sun hat obscuring her face as she smiled down at him.



“You brought everything.”



“I did,” He nodded, and then pulled out a sandwich.



“Here,” Eric said, “Let me serve you.”



He carefully unpacked the two chipped plates he had brought and fixed the omega plate of jam-covered bread and fruit and cheese. She accepted the plate with a smile, and picked up each piece carefully, taking a moment to look at everything before she ate it as she had never seen food before. It tugged at his heart.


“I’ve never taken anyone on a picnic,” He admitted, “I always really wanted to, though.”



“No one?” She lifted her brows, “Really?”


“You sound so surprised.”



“Well, ah,” Alyssa nervously licked her lips. “You have a reputation of going on a lot of dates. Figured you had a chance to try everything.”



“I’ve gone on dates, sure,” Eric shrugged. “But I’ve never courted anyone. I was saving all the good stuff for you.”



He winked at her, but the omega didn’t smile. Alyssa just looked down at her hands. “Yes, you have,” She said softly.



Her voice suddenly grew sad, and the Alpha opened his mouth, but she continued.



“You did court, someone,” Alyssa said, “You courted your ex omega, Penelope. Nicholas told me that you loved her”



And then, suddenly, the warmth in his chest, the previous smile on her face, the beautiful blue sky that looked like it had been painted just for the two of them – it all crumbled around him, and he was just left with an awful, heavy feeling in his belly.




“Oh, Alyssa,” He stuttered, “I – ”



Eric reached out to touch her hand, and the omega lowered her head more but didn’t pull away. He wanted to stroke his thumb across the omega’s skin, but he didn’t dare make any further move than what he had already done.



“Omega,” He said softly.



She whispered in a quivering voice, her eyes still not meeting his. “She was your omega, for a little while and I’m scared. I’ve learned about mates and how strong the bonds can be between them. What if she asks you to take her back?”




His throat was suddenly thick, and he tucked his fingers under her chin, pushing her face up. When she met his eyes, he noticed they were wet and shiny, and he instinctively moved forward as he tried to explain.



“Alyssa she’s my past. A terrible chapter of my life I wouldn’t want to open again. And no, she’s not my mate. We never found our soulmates so decided to settle down with each other”



It’s true. Eric thought with Penelope he wouldn’t need a soulmate, but he was so wrong. They were just not right for each other.



Alyssa blinked at him, her lips parted. She leaned forward for a moment, and then, slowly, licked her dry lips. “Really?”




“Yeah,” He said immediately.



“I like you. My heart only belongs to you now, and I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to get you.”



Her face turned red as she shyly nodded her head.



“Okay,” The omega murmured, and then pushed her hat back, enough for Eric to see her whole face, gleaming under the sunlight.



“I believe you, Eric.”


“You do?”



“Yes,” Alyssa nodded, and then, softly whispered. “I like you too.”
***

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