Summary: The move across town was supposed to be simple. Settle in with an old friend so they could split the rent, forget about her asshole alpha ex, and focus on her work and the new puppy she'd adopted. The last thing Willow wanted to do was get caught up with another cocky alpha. Then, from what Parker had been telling her, Jack Abbot had a tendency to upend even the most solid plans.
AN: Happy gifting day, @i-mushi. I was thrilled to be paired with someone who also loves omegaverse fic for @the-pitt-gift-exchange. This gift will be delivered in three short installments because unfortunately my brain has not been cooperating the past month or so when it comes to writing more than a few words. Part one and two will be SFW. Part three will be NSFW. This is not my strongest starting chapter, but things will improve soon. Sorry.
“I just—this was so out of the blue and I don’t want to intrude.”
“We’ve been friends for years. There is no way you could intrude,” Parker insisted. “Especially bringing that cutie along. You know I don’t just let anyone crash here. I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t mean it. Besides, we work opposite hours. We’ll barely ever see each other at the house. And I can handle daytime doggy care.”
That had been the main upside, right alongside getting some space from her ex.
The recent policy change from her former landlord—on top of the cost of rent having almost doubled in the last six months—had been the last straw. She made a commitment when she took in an animal, her profession aside. She couldn’t bring herself to rehome the ten-week-old German Shepherd, no matter how many shoes and purse straps he had tried to destroy in the two weeks she’d had him.
“Last box to bring up,” their helping hand, John, said from the stairwell.
“And just in time for us to run. Thanks, Shen.”
“Thanks,” Willow echoed. “Hope your shift isn’t too crazy.”
Parker swiped her bag off the counter, making it halfway down the stairs before turning back. “Oh, we’re actually across from a cat owner, so just be mindful of that. Abbot said Duchess is a darter.”
“Duchess?”
She shrugged. “His niece’s idea. Smart-ass teenager and he still gives her whatever she wants.” Something told Willow that her roommate had had the pleasure of watching the mentioned teen grow into that behavior—and possibly encouraged it.
“Alright. I’ll keep Zeus on his leash anyways.”
~~~~~
Just as Parker suggested, there was little to no overlap when they saw each other, and didn’t get a look at the mentioned neighbor until almost a week after move-in day. “We’re supposed to be leaving now, Kaylee. It’s a school night and your mom wants you back for dinner.”
Willow paused a few steps below their shared landing, trying not to be too obvious when she assessed the man currently blocking her door. He was handsome, certainly. Built in a way that told her he spent at least some of his time outside the hospital working to keep himself in shape.
“Coming,” a softer voice floated out. “I’m coming. Bye, Duchess.”
“Damn cat,” the man grumbled, crossing his arms as he turned. “Ah. I’m in your way, aren’t I? My new neighbor, I assume?”
“Willow.”
“Willow,” he repeated.
And damn her promise to put any thoughts of cocky alphas from her mind—and Parker’s dozen’s of ED stories told her Jack Abbot fit that mold perfectly—but she already felt herself slipping, just hearing her name roll off his tongue. As if she had any business even looking at a man so much older than her. Then, she’d always found some appeal in someone more experienced.
His mouth curled up when he took note of the scrubs she was dying to change out of. It had been… a day. “Ellis failed to mention you work at the hospital too. Which department?”
She didn’t get the chance to correct his assumption, a curly-haired teen rushing out to join them. “Okay. Ready, Uncle Jack.”
“Truck’s unlocked. Get a move on.” He descended a step, closing the distance between them. Even pressed against opposite railings, the stairwell only allowed so much room. His scent washed over her, strong, but not unplesantly so. She’d even go as far as to say soothing to the nerves she couldn’t fully explain. “It’s nice to meet you, Willow. I’m sure we’ll run into each other again.”
~~~~~
Jack
Jack Abbot wasn’t a nosy man, generally speaking. Curious about a rare or risky procedure, eager to study cases, always willing to pick up a new technique, sure. But he didn’t care about the hot gossip at nurses station and rarely put anything north of a ten in the night shift betting pools. That’s why this sudden curiosity with his neighbor was getting under his skin.
Asking Ellis wasn’t an option. She’d see right through him and mock him for months. Probably have a few choice words about him eying a woman far too young for him—not to mention the other alpha’s fierce protective streak. If they had truly been friends for years… well, Jack knew just how attached Parker could grow behind the “tough resident” act.
Still, if he kept his tone casual enough…
He glanced over to where his favorite resident sat charting. “So. Finally ran into your new roommate.”
