Page 126 of Citius

“But,” Joaquin countered, pushing it right back with the tip of a tattooed finger, “Alijah wants to go, and I’ll be too busy to keep him company. So, do me a solid, doc—and be his date for the evening. Countit as one of our lunch requests.”

“I prefer to keep my lunch dates under five digits.”

“Like you weren’t already planning to spend the money.”

I sighed, glancing at the form again. Alijah Peck was neatly written on the first attendee line, followed by a trio of surprises—Cal, Wyatt, and Owen.

“What’s with the chaperones?”

“They’re uncultured swine,” Joaquin said, deadpan. “Take pity on them.”

“Only if you deduct another lunch off my tab.”

“No can do, doc. Would you settle for a manly favor around the house?”

“That’s what maintenance is for.”

“Wash your windows shirtless?”

“Cleaning service.”

A khaki-clad knee edged into the doorway, followed by the hint of a blue polo shirt and a sculpted cheek. Between the gleam in his eyes and the clink of soda cans against the doorframe, Alijah could not be more conspicuous if he tried.

What were the mates up to?

“You drive a hard bargain.” Joaquin stroked his beard, pretending to think, before raising a finger. “How about this—I bring you the brisket special the next time I hit up the barbeque food truck?”

The devil knew my weakness. “Fine, but I get to invite whoever I want for the rest of the seats.”

I meant my siblings, and we both knew it, but I had to maintain the illusion of being in charge.

While I didn’t love being manipulated into attending the gala, I knew Rory wanted to go, and Kelsey hadn’t missed a year since Piper started dancing at Belcrest. I might not have Jacobi’s knack for being the life of the party, but I could make an effort—for Piper and, in this case, Alijah.

“Pleasure doing business with you.” Joaquin flashed a sly grin and started unpacking food. It was Chinese, judging by the familiar shape of the paper cartons. “How much time do you get to eat?”

I refolded the registration form, tucking it in the front pocket of my bag. “Depends on the day, but it’s usually less than half an hour. If you’re not interested in me rushing out halfway or canceling plans at the last minute, might I suggest arranging our other lunches on the weekend?”

“Good to know,” he said, drumming his fingers against the tabletop, already plotting how to hoodwink me again.

“Hi, Morgan.” Alijah set the cans down and slid into the chair besideme. The delighted quiver of his smile undermined his attempt to look casual. “Didn’t know you’d be here.”

What an adorably bad liar he was.

“Hm. Is that so?” I gave Joaquin a pointed look before adding, “Piper and Rory won’t stop raving about the housewarming.”

Alijah’s happiness seemed to vibrate at an even higher frequency. “Really?”

“Really.” I took another bite of salad, surprised by how much the success of his big event mattered to me.

Two coaching staff members came in, shooting me disapproving looks as they headed to the refrigerator. I had long stopped caring about the whispers and suggestive laughs from Garvey sympathizers.

Joaquin, however, zeroed in on them, eyes tracking their every move—even as he opened a carton of shrimp lo mein and set it in front of his mate.

Thankfully, Alijah was more interested in tucking into his lunch with his disposable chopsticks than anything else.

“Couldn’t have done it without Kelsey,” Alijah said after a few bites, his smile growing with every stir of his noodles. “She’s amazing. Showed up with flowers and like three hundred crab cakes. She’d make a killing if she opened a party planning business.”

One of the alphas made the mistake of gesturing at Alijah. Joaquin stared them down and snapped his chopsticks apart with a sharp crack. They quickly shuffled out of the room.

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