“You didn’t try to shove it into my box. Why?”

Mav watched him from the corner of his eye. “Contrary to popular opinion, I actually know the food you hate.”

“You do?” Telos couldn’t disguise his shock.

The other alpha rolled his eyes. “We’ve been to countless breakfasts with our mutual friends. You complainvery loudlywhenever a cook puts the wrong sort of meat on your plate.”

Telos opened and closed his mouth, scrambling for words. Mav was right. But he’d said it without any judgment, and... maybe thingscouldwork out between them. “Not that I know what foodyoulike.”

Mav leaned in until their shoulders bumped. “That was a lie. I’m starting to be able to tell.” His mouth quirked. “You’ve been watching me at mealtimes.”

“I havenot.” Telos flushed. He waited until Estie had finished her bottle. Then he brought her to their bedroom to change her diapers—with some help from the internet. By the time he’d given her a fluffy pink rabbit to hold, he was starving.

Telos had just sat down and cracked open his box of delicious-smelling breakfast, when the suite door burst open.

Hadley stepped in with a huge bag. “I have acquired the pregnancy tests.”

14

MAV BEGINS HIS COURTSHIP

Telos groaned.“Let me have three minutes to eat.”

“Don’t you need to wait for the results, though?” Ace said. “You could piss first, then go back to eating.”

Telos glared resentfully at him. “Shut your face.”

“Let him have a few bites,” Mav said. “Human rights, team morale, and all that.”

“Huh.” Telos blinked and shoveled fried chicken into his mouth. It was crispy, juicy, and savory, and it cheered him up. “I never thought you’d take my side for anything.”

Mav shrugged. “First time for everything.”

With Estie cradled in his lap, Telos flipped Ace off with both his hands. He inhaled half his box of breakfast, set it down on the side table, and took a gulp of coffee.

It was made the way he liked it. Telos stared at the cup. “Did Hilly-Billy order this?”

Mav shrugged and looked away. “I added the cream and sugar.”

“You?”

Mav glanced back. “Did I get it wrong?”

“How—” Telos drank from the cup again, to be sure. But no, it was perfect. “How did you know?”

Mav sighed. “I’ve heard the rest telling you, several times, how much sugar youshouldn’tbe putting in your coffee.”

Telos sniffed, trying to appear unmoved. “Fine. You did acceptably.”

Mav ducked his head, but Telos thought he saw a smile.

Mav was smiling.

Because of him.

This is the weirdest day of my life.“Okay, hand over the piss sticks. I’m ready.”

Hadley gave him the stuffed bag.