Page 24 of Scheme
“A little before that.” Kit cleared his throat, taking a moment to adjust his glasses.
“Are you two coming inside or what?” Violet called, poking her head out the door and shooting us an inquisitive look.
I shot Kit my most reassuring smile, grabbing his elbow and tugging him toward the house. “Come on. Let’s go face the inquiry squad together.”
“So,” Violet began, passing the bowl of salad across the table to me. “Nico and I have politely been making small talk, waiting for you two to bring it up, but neither of youarebringing it up.”
“Bringing what up?” I asked, batting my eyelashes innocently at her.
Violet rolled her eyes affectionately. “Don’t play coy with me, Margot Bailey.”
Nico relaxed back in his seat, one arm draped over the back of Violet’s chair, looking between us with a smug smirk. “Whatever it was you’re doing, I’m guessing you came up with when you were huddled in the corner together at the party the other night? You did look very cosy…”
“Don’t you start,” Kit grumbled. “You’re the only friend I have who doesn’t try to set me up.”
Violet frowned, and I shot her a breezy smile to let her know that Kit’s surly words hadn’t bothered me.
“Relax, Kit.” I patted him on the arm. “That isn’t what Nico was doing. From what I heard, you used to be their third wheel at Bryce and Kane’s parties before I was. These two know better than anyone that we’re both capable of enjoying the company of alphas or omegas without any strings attached.”
Nico raised his glass to me in agreement while Kit’s stare burned into the side of my head. I couldn’t imagine why he’d be surprised—just because I wasn’t interested in taking a mate didn’t mean I didn’t want to be knotted until I was bow-legged.
I was a complex, multi-faceted omega that way.
“Not that we’re doingthat,” I added hurriedly, catching Violet’s raised eyebrows. “I just mean that everyone at this table is aware that both Kit and I are very comfortable in our singleness. You two also know that other people in our livesaren’t, so we’re helping each other out while Kit is in town. Plus one-ing for each other. Nothing to get excited about.”
“I don’t know about that,” Nico replied drily. “It’s certainly caused some excitement. Coleman called today to interrogate me about Margot. He was most put out that you didn’t fall head over heels for Jocelyn’s sister’s fellow intern, Kit.”
“Is that who she was?” Kit said, sounding bored. Nico grinned.
“What did you tell Coleman?” I asked, not quite able to stop myself even though I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted the answer.
“The truth.” Nico shrugged, and Kit glanced up at him with a very unreassuring level of alarm. “That Violet and I didn’t set you up—the two of you are our closest friends and you just happened to meet at a party we hosted, which led to some follow-up criticisms about us not inviting him and the others. He asked about Margot, and I assured him she was smart, kind, generous with her time and a wonderful friend, and any alpha would be lucky to call her their mate.”
“Hear, hear,” Violet added cheerfully, smiling at me across the table while I attempted to morph my face into something resembling polite gratitude instead of shock. The flaming cheeks probably gave me away.
“That was very nice of you,” I replied cautiously.
“Like I said, I just told the truth.” Nico shrugged, digging into his grilled salmon. Kit followed suit, notably silent in response to Nico’s words, and I found myself wondering what he was thinking in spite of myself. Did he disagree with Nico’s assessment of my character?
Did I care if he did?
Yes, I decided grimly. Even though our scheme was one of mutually beneficial convenience, I still hoped that Kit and I could be friends at the end of it. Partly because we were both close with Nico and Violet, and it would be nice if we could all spend time together. But also because Kit really seemed like he could use more friends. Ones without ulterior motives for him.
“So, when’s your next… whatever we’re calling it?” Violet asked, gesturing between the two of us with her fork. “Your next not-date?”
“I don’t intend to take up too much of Margot’s time,” Kit said, still looking down at his plate. “I asked if she would accompany me last night, to Brighton for the weekend trip Coleman planned, and to the fundraising dinner I’m in town for. That’s all, there’s nothing to read into.”
“Oh yeah, just an overnight trip where you’ll undoubtedly be expected to share a bedroom, and one of the highlights of your professional career where you’ll be surrounded by your peers. Nothing to read into,” Violet agreed with a bright smile that definitely had her sarcasm whooshing right over Kit’s head. “What about you, Margot? Isn’t this meant to be a mutually beneficial arrangement?”
I grimaced, realising I’d never got around to telling Violet about Jimmy.
Or Calum, for that matter. That conversation could wait for another day, though.
“My parents have rustled up an alpha they’d like me to invite into my nest—a widowed friend of my dad. He’s been… hanging around. Kit has generously volunteered his scent for my front door.”
Kit snorted.
“Wait, some alpha has been hanging around your house and you didn’t tell us?” Violet asked, looking horrified. “Margot. What if he’s dangerous? You should’ve said something!”
