I reached for Richard’s hand as we walked toward the sterile glass and chrome building. While the contemporary vibe definitely supported the whole modern concept of surrogacy, the unwelcoming exterior left a lot to be desired on the humanity front.

“Breathe, Dusty. I know you’re nervous, but remember, this one chose us. Marilyn said that she was positive that we would be a match with this one.”

I took a shuddering breath, willing my heart rate to calm before I moved into full-blown panic mode. “Yes. But the last one said that, too. Until he met us and realized that we were both alphas. What if this one overlooked that detail, too? Besides, as sweet and well-meaning as Ms. Anderson is, we both know that she can’t influence the process.”

Richard stopped and pulled me into his arms, squeezing me tight. “Breathe, babe. Don’t get all worked up until we’ve at least met the guy. I know that this has been rough for you, but let’s just go in there and meet him. We won’t know if we don’t try, right?”

I nodded against his strong shoulder, inhaling a deep calming breath of that delicious sandalwood scent of his. “Okay. I’m sorry to fucking meltdown before we even get in the door.”

Rich chuckled and kissed my cheek. “Babe? It’s better to melt down out here with me than inside in front of our possible surrogate.”

“Our maybe-baby delivery system?” I attempted a joke as I pulled back and gathered myself.

Rolling his eyes, Rich reached for my hand. “Let’s just stick with surrogate, hmm? Now come on. We’re a minute-and-fifteen seconds late now.”

I bit my tongue and nodded. Okay. Here we go. I can do this. Step by ste—

My mental pep talk came to an abrupt end as Richard opened the door and all but propelled me inside with a guiding hand to my lower back. I looked around the perspective parents waiting area while Rich checked in with the receptionist. The surrogates had their own area in another part of the building, presumably so that we wouldn’t meet accidentally before being paired and chosen.

I was always afraid to sit on the artistic-looking molded plastic chairs. They were bright orange, meant to pop against the royal-blue walls. The artwork hanging in the room consisted of unframed canvas pieces of modern art, heavy on the orange with shades of blue blended through.

Even the plants scattered around were alien-looking forms of cacti. It was as if the designer had been purposely going for visual overstimulation, which is probably why the whole room was nerve-wracking to me. If it weren’t for the beige carpet and the underlying scents that threaded through the air, this room would make me have a panic attack all on its own.

I closed my eyes to block out the room and just inhaled the soothing fragrance of eau de omega that perfumed the air. This place was always such a calming blend of scents from the many omegas that came and went throughout the building. It was odd to me how so many couples with omega partners would opt for surrogacy because the omega partner didn’t wish to deal with a pregnancy. Still, I did enjoy the lingering scents of the ones who’d been through here.

All those herbal and floral blended scents that omegas carried were like a balm to the soul. Until I’d met and fallen in love with Rich, I’d always assumed that I’d meet and marry an omega of my own one day. Hmm. Strange how life works out. Still, I wouldn’t trade my sandalwood-scented man for anything.

“Babe? Hello? They’re calling us back.” I opened my eyes to see Rich looking at me impatiently from where he stood next to the receptionist’s desk. Ms. Anderson was standing in the open doorway to the back offices with a warm smile on her face.

I schooled my expression into a friendly smile that hopefully masked my terrified anxiety as I crossed the room to join them. Ms. Anderson spoke conversationally as she led us back to her office. “It is great to see you guys again! I’m so happy that you were both able to make this impromptu meeting. I think that you are going to like the surrogate candidate I have for you to meet today.”

“And they are aware that we are alphas, Marilyn?”

I followed as Rich stepped into pace with Ms. Anderson, chatting confidently as only he could.

She turned to us with a wide smile as she stopped in front of her office door. “Yes, he is aware. And no, he doesn’t have a problem with it. Now take a deep breath, both of you, and relax. Mr. Martin is right inside my office waiting to meet you. Trust me, he’s as nervous as I’m sure the both of you are. Let’s just see if you gentlemen think there’s a possibility of a match, hmm? Remember, you don’t have to marry the guy. You just need him to carry your child.”

Rich nodded abruptly and shot me a comforting smile. After giving us both one last searching look, Ms. Anderson smiled and opened the door to her office.

Rich motioned for me to go first. I walked in ahead of him and the enticing scent that I could only describe as sage mixed with English Tea Rose smashed into my senses, making me stop dead in my tracks. Rich bumped into me from behind with a grunt as I stood awkwardly staring at the most adorable omega I’d seen.

He looked up at us from the grouping of chairs that Ms. Anderson had placed by the window. His pretty smile and sparkling green eyes conveyed a friendly, trustworthy air. The fact that I wanted to smooth back his scruffy, just a little too long hair was beside the point. Rich stepped around me with a knowing wink and led the way over to where the omega waited to meet us.

Ms. Anderson took the seat next to the omega, leaving us the pair of seats across from them. She motioned for us to sit, so we did. Somehow my hand found its way into my husband’s sure grip as we sat there clinging to each other while we watched the omega who was studying us right back.

“Okay, then. At this point, I’d like to drop to first names in order to make this a bit more informal. In my experience, these first meetings are almost always stressful for all parties,” Ms. Anderson said pleasantly.

“Rich and Dusty, I’d like you to meet Josiah.” She turned to the omega and introduced us, pointing us out separately so that he would know who was who. “Now, I will give you access to the edited medical history that we provide on behalf of our surrogates. This isn’t the time to ask him anything about that, this is just a get-to-know-you session. And, Josiah, the same goes for you, hon. You feel free to ask these gentlemen anything you’d like to ask in regards to this transaction.”

I winced at her choice of words. Somehow transaction just sounded so awful when couched in terms of how we would complete our family. I drummed my fingers on my leg, trying to think of a reasonable question to ask. Finally, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

“Why us? You really don’t care that we’re both alphas?”

Rich squeezed my hand as if in reprimand, but the question was already out there.

Josiah flushed and spoke in a soft voice. “I don’t mind that you’re alphas; that would be rather elitist of me, wouldn’t it? To judge you based on your designation? You didn’t choose to be born alphas, anymore than I chose to be an omega. It’s just biology. I just figured that if I was going to actually do this, I wanted to do it for a couple that had no other options. I’m pretty sure that two alphas fit that bill, right?”

I smiled as relief washed over me like a soothing summer rain. “Yeah, we definitely fit that. No baby-making possibilities here.”

Rich spoke up then. “I’m not sure if this is allowed, but can I ask why you’re willing to do this for us? It’s a lot to ask of an omega, and I want to be sure that you won’t have second thoughts later.”

Josiah shook his head wistfully. “I’m not going to lie, I’ve had second, third, and probably fourth thoughts before I ever even applied. But this is my only option right now, and the fact that helping you have a family while saving my own makes it all worthwhile.”

“Now, Josiah. You don’t have to get too personal if you don’t want to—” Ms. Anderson started to interject, but the omega held up a hand as he shook his head.

“No, these alphas need to know that I’m serious. If they understand that this is an important undertaking for me financially, I think it will set their minds at ease.”

Rich squeezed my hand again, apparently having the same protective alpha reaction that I was having. The idea of this adorable omega being in financial straits that would lead him to rent out his womb like an incubator for us was heartbreaking.

As if reading our minds, Josiah smiled reassuringly. “I’m not down on my luck, or destitute, please don’t think that.” He looked down and nodded to himself as if deciding to open up further. He looked back up with an engaging smile that had a dimple winking out to tease us before hiding again.

“My parents were killed six-and-a-half years ago. I was just beginning college at the time, but my toddler sister was left needing me.” His eyes lit up as he continued. “Samantha is the light of my life. She’s in second grade this year, and the smartest thing you’ve ever seen. But she has a learning disability that has been impacting her ability to learn to read. The school she was in wanted to transfer her to a remedial school, and they refused to believe that their IQ tests were faulty because she couldn’t properly read the damn questions.”

He held up a hand. “Forgive me, I get a little irate whenever I think of the dickless wonders that run her old school. Anyway. There is a special school in the area that works with learning disabilities like Sam’s. Their preadmission tests showed that rather than having cognitive problems, she was likely of a more advanced IQ level. These were verified with her admission tests they ran her first day. This is why I’m here, and am committed to this process. You will get your baby, and mine will get to stay in the expensive school she needs to get the help to live up to her near-genius potential. That is everything to me.”

I shook my head sadly that her old school treated the child so badly. “Tell me, Josiah. Are you by chance referring to Mapleville Academy?”

His eyes lit up. “You’ve heard of them?”

I nodded. “I designed the school’s website and all of the brochures that you’ve probably been given. They are a great school from every account, I can’t think of a better placement for your sister. The faculty there are hands-on, too, and the class sizes are small. It’s an interactive community, I’m sure that you’ll both be happy there.”

Ms. Anderson stood as her cell phone rang. “Excuse me, gentlemen, I’m going to leave you to chat while I take this call.”

As soon as she left the room, Rich spoke. “Are you guys hating sitting here as much as I am?”

I grinned while Josiah nodded with eyes. “Right? I feel awkward in here. I keep expecting my high school guidance counselor to come in and usher me back to meet with a shrink or something.”

Rich laughed. “Do you drink coffee? There’s a great coffee shop around the corner. Perhaps we could duck out of here early and finish our chat there in a better setting?”

Josiah chuckled and pushed his hair out of his eyes. “Cafe Om? I know it well; that’s my day job.”

“Oh, good. Then you understand the importance of a fine roast and a well-made cup of coffee.” Rich pointed a thumb in my direction. “This guy? He thinks his Keurig makes potable coffee.”

Josiah blanched and shuddered. “Oh, Dusty. Those are fighting words to a true coffee connoisseur.” He looked at the old-school watch he wore on his wrist. “I have another hour and forty-three minutes before I pick Samantha up. I vote we get out of here as soon as we politely can. Perhaps we can broaden his horizons and introduce your husband to some Costa Rican beans that came in yesterday?”

Rich chuckled and I shook my head with a grin. Great. Another one that kept tight time schedules and was a coffee snob. He and Rich should get along famously.