Page 132 of Altius
Thirty-Two
Morgan
Iwas folding my pajamas, the last piece of the packing puzzle for my trip to San Diego for the football team’s semi-final game, when Jacobi sauntered in.
“A little birdie told me you’re almost done packing,” he said, wasting no time rummaging through my suitcase “Well, what do we have here? A baggie full of your favorite tea flavors, two boxes of protein bars, an extra set of your meds, weather-appropriate clothes…”
I rolled up my pajamas and smacked the top of his head. “Stop making a mess.”
He skittered away with a laugh. “Why? Your beefcakes will triple-check and refold everything before you leave tomorrow.”
“Maybe,” I said with a shrug. “But I don’t mind. Saves me the hassle.”
After hip-checking him aside, I tidied up the tea and snacks Wyatt had prepared for me. He’d also downloaded an audiobook version of my favorite fantasy novel from college onto my phone.
Cal had gifted me a travel-sized weighted blanket in Northport navy, which we both pretended wasn’t his version of an apology for Dr. Sethi’s recent behavior.
He’d also added warmer clothes and an umbrella to my scant selection of jogger pants and t-shirts because, unlike me, he’d thought to check the weather forecast for San Diego.
My boyfriends had provided extra comfort, portable fuel, and mobile entertainment. None of which had occurred to me to pack.
I’d been too focused on shoving as many white papers as possible into my carry-on bag. Despite his confusing behavior in our personal interactions, Owen’s research paper selections were spot-on.
Jacobi plopped down on the corner of my bed, tossing a pair of socks between his hands. “What about Kelsey?”
“She’s a grown adult—who doesn’t need to pack another grown adult’s suitcase.”
“But she’s beenyourdesignated adult for a decade.” Glancing at me sideways, he failed to hide his probing gaze. “I get it. You’re riding high on romance-induced endorphins. It feels natural that Wyatt’s basically moved in, and Cal’s here all the time. You’re envisioning the bloody bliss of mating bites. But from a beta’s perspective…”
He was right. It probably felt like we were being invaded by alphas—and one nosy omega pest. I’d hoped Kelsey’s burgeoning friendship with Alijah might make things more palatable, but I guess I was wrong.
“It’s only for a few more months,” I said, tucking my extra pills and a few pairs of socks into a storage pocket, feeling guilty for how much my private life was infringing upon hers. “Once my fellowship ends in July—”
Jacobi let out an uncouth cackle. “Oh, honey bear. July?” He dropped the socks into the suitcase. “You’ll be lucky if she makes it through March.”
“Don’t exaggerate.”
“Why don’t you ever believe me when I’m trying to be reasonable?” He heaved a dramatic sigh. “You never take me seriously unless I’m being hyperbolic. Very well then, if I must…”
Jacobi got to his feet and wheeled around, levying an accusatory finger at my bed.
“That smells like a drunken topiary, and you positively reek before, during, and after your morning workouts. Boozy boxwood is not part of a balanced breakfast.”
“Then go back to California,” I said, shutting my suitcase.
“Kelsey’s taking me to the airport on Saturday. Which is why I’m taking time out of my busy schedule of socializing and revenge hook-ups to share a few precious pearls of wisdom.”
Grabbing me by the arm, Jacobi dragged me into my home office next door, plunking me down in the desk chair.
“Check your email,” he said.
A commercial real estate listing for an old garment factory, a short drive from Tolliver Yards, awaited me. I opened it and began flipping through the photos.
The building had five stories with ample square footage, but it was overpriced for the area, and I suspected most of the windows and fixtures were covered in lead paint. And it would be a monumental task to convert it into usable space.
“Do you hate it?” Jacobi asked, leaning against the back of my chair.
“It doesn’t matter what I think.” I closed the browser tab. “Because we’re not buying it. I can’t oversee renovations on my own with my current schedule.”
