Page 79 of Ruined Beta

Something happened that I missed.

I remember how Toshi looked when he came up here.

He was hiding something.

“He’s ready,” Echo says, when I look at him, his gaze a little dreamy.

Toshi decided he was ready, and I missed it.

Clearly, he was too flustered to say anything when saw me up here.

I feel a little better now that I know. I wasn’t imagining it.

Echo takes Leanne’s hand and shows her around.

“That’s E.A.’s bedroom. It’s usually locked. Kitchen’s through here. Then, you have the bedroom I share with Spencer, and Toshi’s room at the end.”

She looks around, nodding before asking, “And where’s the bathroom?”

“There are actually two of them,” he tells her. “One sits between our room and Toshi’s. That’s the one you can use. The other’s attached to E.A.’s room. He’s not big on sharing.”

I shrug when she glances at me.

I own the building so if I want to keep the bigger bedroom with the private ensuite to myself, I will.

Spencer comes out of Toshi’s room and clears his throat. “All ready. Just maybe don’t touch the figures on the stand in the corner. He collects those pop culture scenes, and he’s kind of particular about keeping them dust and fingerprint free.”

“Thanks,” Leanne says, letting go of Echo’s hand.

She leans in and kisses him on the cheek. “Take care of Toshi for me.”

Stepping past, she smiles at me. “Night.”

“Night,” I respond.

Spencer stops her for a kiss, and now I really wonder what I missed out on being up here while they were all downstairs, bonding over food and talking about things other than work.

She tells him good night, and steps into Toshi’s room, closing the door behind her.

Echo comes closer to the couch and runs his hand down my chest as he crouches a little to put his head close to mine.

“She’s amazing,” he murmurs, kissing my temple softly. “You’ll love her.”

“I’m sure I will.” I don’t doubt that for a second.

She was made to be with us. We were made to be with her.

“We’re going to claim Toshi, now,” Echo says. “Do you want to join us?”

“I think I’ll let you two show him a good time tonight,” I tell him, giving him a wry smile. “My mood is a little bit off.”

It’s as if my emotions have been switched from low to off.

I know it’s a good thing that Toshi’s had a breakthrough, and wants to be claimed, but I don’t feel it, at least not right now. I’m too preoccupied with my own thoughts to let myself feel. It wouldn’t be fair to Toshi to claim him while I’m like this.

“Okay, sure,” Echo says, moving back. “But as soon as you’re feeling good …”

“Don’t worry, I know how to claim a mate.”

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