Page 91 of Citius

“You’re exaggerating.”

She didn’t need to know how quickly men lost interest when they realized my so-called distant allure was me focusing on one thing at a time to cope with my short-term memory issues. They were rarely, if ever, my singular focus.

“And it looks like they aren’t the only ones.” Christine nodded toward the takeout counter at the front of the restaurant.

Against my better judgment, I turned, expecting to see some random man who was minding his own business. Instead, I locked eyes with Joaquin Toledano, clad in a black leather jacket and slim jeans that showed his long legs to their best advantage.

And then the asshole winked at me.

“That,” I said, setting my napkin on the table and avoiding Christine’s gaze as I shattered her overly complimentary assumptions about my romantic prospects, “is my neighbor.”

Her brows shot up. “Damn. Karma’s really trying to make things up to you, huh?”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Redirecting the conversation back to fellowship applications seemed like the smart move, but a small part of me wanted to point out that Joaquin was bonded—and his mate was an absolute gem, someone I’d never dream of hurting.

And I tended to hurt my prospective partners.

See Exhibit A: Wyatt.

Oh, and the recently unveiled Exhibit B: Cal.

Thankfully, a text from Piper arrived just as the silence between usverged on awkward.

“My ride’s almost here,” I said, sliding toward the edge of the bench.

Christine grabbed her coat and got to her feet, pulling me into a brief but genuine hug. “We should do this again soon.”

“Yeah, that’d be nice.”

We exchanged a few more pleasantries as we headed out the side exit, putting as much space as possible between me and Joaquin.

The rain had stopped, but fog obscured the bridge and southern riverbank—as if to erase its recent resurgence. On our way to the parking lot, I avoided shallow puddles, glimmering with the amber glow of streetlights, glancing over my shoulder every few steps.

Despite the damp chill in the air, the back of my neck prickled with heat. The telltale sign of being watched.

No sooner had I waved goodbye to Christine than Joaquin sidled up, wearing a languid smirk.

“Hiya, doc. We’ve got to stop meeting like this… Unless you’re ready to take me up on that meal offer?”

“Have you talked to Alijah?” I countered, stepping under the streetlight so Kelsey would spot me as soon as she arrived.

A shadow of concern flickered in Joaquin’s eyes, making them look almost as dark as his mate’s. “Somethingdidhappen at the game.”

I nodded. “Owen and Cal were there as well.”

And just like that, we understood one another perfectly. Joaquin wouldn’t push for details, and I wouldn’t reveal any of Alijah’s business. We didn’t need to. We both cared about him. That was enough.

Kelsey’s electric blue hatchback pulled in. As the headlights illuminated Joaquin’s tall figure beside me, it slowed to a crawl. I suddenly remembered that Kelsey had never seen Joaquin before.

Shit. I should’ve texted a warning.

A pair of heads popped up between the front seats—Piper and Rory. As Piper waved enthusiastically at Joaquin, she said something to reassure Kelsey that I wasn’t in danger.

“You expecting them?” Joaquin asked, subtly stepping between me and the car as if ready to get physical on my behalf.

Oh, now I got it.

Joaquin’s oddly compelling looks might have tempted Alijah, but his street smarts and scrappy dominance sealed the deal. Knowing someone had your back—no matter what—went a long way toward trusting them with your heart.

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