Page 25 of Alpha Theo

Are we friends?

Do Iwantto be his friend?

Theo tries to take Deke’s chair on the opposite end of the table, but Gray tells him it’s taken and points out the empty seat beside me instead. My eyes flutter up to meet Theo’s and those hazel eyes peer back at me cautiously, then flicker away as he trudges over to take his seat.

Shoot. Well this isn’t awkward at all…

I don’t know what to say to him, so I just avoid eye contact, pretend he’s not sitting right beside me smelling like cedar and pine and motor oil, so rugged and masculine that it makes my wolf perk up and whine.

We all raise our glasses as Gray gives a short speech to thank us for coming and we clink them together, sipping the wine. It’s a little sweet, just how I like it, and I lick my lips as I set my glass back down.

There’s a chorus of clinking silverware as everyone digs into the meal, engaging in polite conversation. I feel so awkward sitting beside Theo that I just keep my head down, keep quiet. Part of me wants to ask him how he is, where he’s been, but I don’t have the guts to do it in front of all these people and I doubt he’d want me to.

Gray beats me to the punch.

“How you been, man?”

It takes Theo a moment to realize that Gray’s talking to him, then he swallows the bite of chicken he’s been chewing and clears his throat. “Good. Just livin’ the dream.”

Liar. I take another sip of wine.

“How are things going with the IT unit? You still checking in over there every day?” Gray asks.

“Yup,” Theo responds, popping the ‘p’.

I dart him a glance, but he doesn’t return it.

Gray looks to me for confirmation- and I won’t call Theo out for his lie, at least not this time. It’d be like kicking him while he’s down. I just smile and nod.

That must satisfy him, because Gray moves on. “How’s the program coming, Brooke?”

“Great,” I lie.Guess Theo and I are both liars tonight.“I’ve almost got the kinks worked out.”

Gray raises his glass to his lips and takes a long sip before he sets it back down. “Good to hear. You up for a trip to Denver?”

“Really?” I stare at him, eyes wide, interest piqued. The Denver pack has a security team complete with IT, and since Gray brokered an alliance of sorts with Denver recently, I’ve spoken with a few of their IT specialists over the phone. It sounds like they have a heck of a setup there and I’dloveto see it. “When?”

He grins. “Tomorrow, actually. I know it’s short notice, but it’s just an overnight trip- you can tell them about your new program and get the latest from them so we’re on the same page.”

I nod enthusiastically. “Yeah, I’d love to!”

Gray pops a piece of chicken in his mouth, chewing. “Great,” he mumbles, swallowing. “I was gonna go up there on my own but figured it’d probably be better to have someone who knows what they’re talking about come along.”

“For sure,” I laugh. “I’m excited, I can’t remember the last time I got outta the six-pack territory.”

“Me neither,” Fallon adds, pouting a little. “I’m jealous, I wish I could come with you guys.”

Gray turns to my sister, sliding his hand over hers and lacing their fingers together. “Next time, babe.” He brings their intertwined hands up to his mouth, twisting them to plant a kiss on her palm.

Ugh. He’s so attentive, so affectionate. They’re so frickin’ cute. The hopeless romantic in me swoons.

“I’ll pick you up at seven?” he asks, turning back to me.

I nod, lifting my glass again. “Sounds good,” I say before I tilt it back, savoring more of the sweet wine.

I loosen up a little bit after that, and after a second glass of wine I almost forget all about the uncomfortable tension between Theo and me. It isn’t until the evening’s over and we’re all getting ready to head out that I’m reminded, because Theo and I are the last to leave and we try to walk out the door at the same time. We do an awkward little dance before he just gestures for me to go first and I step outside, calling goodbye to Fallon and Gray one last time.

Theo steps out beside me, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans as the door closes behind him.

---