Page 24 of Why Cruise

Ren fucking Delano.

Fifteen years had turned the scrappy kid with a chip on his shoulder into… this. All sharp edges and dangerous grace, wearing a suit like armor. His scent hit me like a punch to the gut, darker and richer than it had any right to be. He wasn’t an alpha the last time we… But it was exactly what I would have imagined his scent would be like.

“Justice Twill!” The beta woman to my right practically squealed, the pitch momentarily stealing my attention. “Oh my god, Robert, it’s Justice Twill!”

Ren’s lips curved into a familiar smirk. “Hello, Just.”

No one had called me that since… him. No one ever called me that. Ever. My hands clenched at my sides.

“You know each other?” The male omega’s voice was soft, curious. I turned, grateful for the distraction, and drowned in blue eyes and the sweetest coconut scent I’d ever encountered.

Fuck me. Both of them were here. Here with Ren.

“You could say that.” Ren’s voice carried an edge that made me want to growl.

I pulled out the chair, instantly aware of the omega at my left. My fists unclenched like a Xanax just kicked in. I blew out a breath.

“Mr. Twill, I can’t believe… I’m an investor! I’m going to call my broker right now.” The alpha was practically vibrating with excitement, patting his pockets for his phone.

I forced myself to breathe normally and robotically reply. “Please, call me Justice.” Aria would be proud I had manners when my world was ready to fall apart.

“Such a pleasure. Robert Johnson and this is my beta, Erin,” the woman, Erin, beamed at me. “We were just discussing omega roles in modern packs. I’d love to hear your thoughts on…”

“Justice,” I said to the omega. His eyes were remarkable, light brown and glittering. I pulled out my chair, and he bumped his over as if to make room. His scent was coconut. But not fake coconut. It was fresh and nutty, complex. His hair was cut so it would fall gracefully over one eye, just long enough to run my fingers through. I clenched my jaw to bite back that thought.

“Theo.” His name shivered over me. “And this is Mackenzie.” A blush joined her sunburn. I didn’t offer my hand to either of them. I didn’t need confirmation of soft, warm skin.

A server appeared at my elbow, saving me from babbling some nonsense.

“The lobster looks amazing,” Theo said, glancing at the brunette. Mackenzie. Her name was Mackenzie.

“Oh, I want…” She bit her lip, fidgeting with her menu. “Maybe the chicken instead?”

When it was my turn to order, I didn’t bother opening the menu. “Steak, rare.” I paused, remembering the way she’d savored that French toast this morning. “And the lobster.”

Ren’s eyebrow lifted fractionally. He knew my tells too well, even after all this time. I met his gaze, daring him to say something.

The next fifteen minutes were a blur. I did everything I could not to let my gaze settle on Ren. Bob droned on about stocks and seemed to need nothing more than an occasional nod. My head might actually explode if Erin asked for an autograph with all her fawning.

When the food arrived, I watched Mackenzie pick at her chicken. Without ceremony, I slid the lobster in front of her.

“I ordered too much,” I lied smoothly. “Help me out?”

Her eyes lit up, and something in my chest twisted. “Are you sure?”

“We’re on vacation. There are no rules.” I nodded and nudged the plate toward her. She had that look again, the cookie jar look as she delicately cut a chunk of lobster tail and placed it in her mouth.

“Mmmm.” She flashed Theo a look before lowering her eyes to her plate. She stole a glance just as I was about to turn away.

“Looks like you can finally afford your own lunch. Oh, sorry, lobster,” Ren’s voice was low, with a teasing edge, like my Ren, teasing me about video games while we wandered the mall before taking me home and… That was all before his aura, before it changed everything.

I took a slow sip of wine. “Still living down to expectations?” It’d been 15 years at least and I hoped he was still hung up on his daddy issues.

His eyes flashed. “Must be nice making so much money you can buy new rules instead of breaking them now.”

“The rules?” I snorted. “Since when do you know anything about rules?”

“People change, Just.” The old nickname hit like a body blow. “Or at least, some of us do. You’re still the same control freak who needs everything just so?”

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