Page 20 of Not Looking
The smell of freshly-cut wood and the din of the various saws were like a shock to the system as I exited out the back. Men yelled to each other, the sound mingling with the reverse beeps of equipment as planks were taken to the kiln and logs were brought in to be processed.
I moved to one side of the door, then leaned against the building.
It didn’t make sense. I’d known a couple of people who’d found their fated mates, and this was nothing like they’d described. There was no insatiable urge to drag Randy off for immediate breeding.
And the gorgeous omega didn’t seem to react to me at all. If we were fated, surely he’d have felt it too.
But I’d been attracted to other men in the past and not experienced such an immediate and overwhelming desire. Even putting that little bit of distance between us hadn’t helped. I wanted to go back in and learn more about the man that my alpha side insisted was my mate.
I took several deep breaths until my pulse started to settle.
I knew better. I’d worked around wood for more than a decade, and the sounds made by small pieces were distinct from any large enough to cause injury. Not to mention that it wasa sound I heard several times a day as the kilned scraps were moved from where they’d been cut off to the front.
It wasn’t like we were gentle when tipping a bucket of wood into a bin.
My thoughts returned to Randy looking for the perfect piece, and I decided to make myself useful. I strode over to the door to the equipment section of the mill and let myself inside, then I walked over to where the kilned planks were cut to size. As expected, another bucket of scraps was almost ready to go out.
I started digging through the small pieces, looking for anything interesting. He’d mentioned spalting, but I didn’t spot any of the telltale fungal lines. So I rummaged in the bucket, hoping to find some interesting grain patterns.
Once again, I came up empty-handed.
I sighed and picked up the bucket. Just because I didn’t find something didn’t mean he wouldn’t. I carried it out front, but didn’t spot Randy at the scrap bin.
I tipped the bucket into the bin, then strode back to the counter.
“You better?” Harrison asked.
I nodded, but my head swiveled as I looked for my omega.
“He’s browsing the burls,” Harrison said.
“Thanks.”
I started toward the warehouse part of the building—where the burls were kept—but was stopped by a hand on my shoulder.
“Hold up,” Harrison said. “What happened?”
I turned and scratched the back of my head. “Honestly, I dunno.”
He frowned. “Look man, if you’re going to freak out every time some wood falls over…”
I shook my head and interrupted. “It wasn’t the wood…”
He sighed. “If it’s Randy, you should give up now.”
Something ached in my chest. “Is he mated?”
He shook his head. “No, but he’s a confirmed bachelor. I’ve seen other guys try to flirt, and he either doesn’t care or doesn’t notice. It’s even more awkward than outright rejection.”
I swallowed. “But, he’s… he’s single?”
Harrison sighed again. “Yes, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. And,” he paused, “don’t make me have to tell the boss you’re being creepy with customers.”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
He studied me for several seconds. “He’ll be browsing for a bit longer. Go get the shorts from the back. He hasn’t gone through the display up here yet. If you’re lucky, you might spot something he can use as a charcuterie board.”
“Thanks.”
