Page 32 of Scheme
For one stupid moment, I actually considered it. Kit looked miserable, and Ididhave a saviour complex.
But then I remembered that he’d suggested with a straight face that every interaction we’d had was some kind of nefarious plot to trap him, and all my sympathy evaporated.
“I’m here to keep an eye on my siblings. Enjoy your meal.” I grabbed Chelsea and Asher by an arm each, steering them toward the dumpling stall before Kit could answer, though I could feel his eyes on me the entire way.
“He’s very handsome,” Chelsea murmured, glancing back over her shoulder, not a shred of sisterly loyalty to be found.
“Seriously,” Asher agreed. “Where’d you find him?”
“Mutual friends. Can you please make it a smidge less obvious that you’re talking about him?”
“Sure. So, what’s the story? He obviously likes you,” Asher pressed, acting more obvious if anything. “He said he’s been talking about you all night. Are you playing hard to get? Is this, like, a dating strategy or something?”
“No,” I gritted out. “Stay here, I’m ordering us dumplings. Feel free to talk about literally anything else.”
They were still whispering loudly when I returned with two trays of dumplings for us to share, setting them down on the table and distributing chopsticks.
“We were just saying that we should go find Jules and Taytum and ditch you with Mr Still-Staring Alpha,” Asher said conversationally. “But I’m hungry, so we’re going to eat first and then ditch you.”
“You are not ditching me. I’m going to put you two little menaces in an omega car service and send you home,” I corrected, helping myself to a chicken and shiitake mushroom dumpling.
“What about Jules?” Asher asked, affronted. “Why doesn’t she have to go home?”
“Jules is nearly an adult, and she’s with an alpha. I know it’s unfair,” I added in a rush when Asher opened his mouth to argue. “But honestly, even if you two were alphas, you’re in the city miles from home and you’re only fourteen and sixteen. Have a little self-preservation, would you? For my stress levels, if nothing else.”
“We’ll go home like good, obedient little omegasifyou promise to go hang out with Mr Definitely-Still-Staring Alpha,” Asher said stubbornly, tipping his chin up.
“Kit,” Chelsea added helpfully. “She said his name is Kit.”
“I will promise just about anything to get you two to eat your food then go quietly to the car,” I grumbled before shoving another dumpling in my mouth.
“Okay, okay,” Chelsea agreed, the more conflict-averse out of the two. For a while, we were able to enjoy thedeliciousgingery, garlicky dumplings in relative peace, even if I could still occasionally sense a pair of eyes burning into the back of my head. Well, whatever, Kit could stare all he wanted, I still wasn’t going over there.
“Who’s the omega at his table? Ow!” Asher asked, leaning around me to get a better look until I pinched him in the side. “You’re my least favourite sister, you know.”
I slid the tray of dumplings out of Asher’s reach, raising an eyebrow at him.
“Fine, fine. Layla is still my least favourite, gimme.”
I snorted, pushing the rest of the food toward him and Chelsea.
To my enormous relief, Chelsea and Asher got into the cab I called for them without protest. Unfortunately, I wasn’t the only one who’d made their way out to the street to see them off.
“Your brother is very energetic,” Kit commented quietly, standing a few feet back. He’d shoved his hands in his pockets and was rocking slightly on the balls of his feet, trying to make himself smaller and less intimidating despite his size.
“He is.” I turned away, heading for the train station, not entirely surprised when Kit followed me.
“I kind of hoped you were going to come and see me, since you didn’t leave with your siblings.”
“Logistics. I’m only two stops away, they’re heading in a different direction.”
“Well, we can head back together then. I’m leaving now anyway.”
“Grand.”
Think aloof thoughts. Think aloof thoughts.
“That was my dad’s sister who was in town for the night with an unmated omega who goes to her gym. She didn’t want to be there as much as I didn’t,” Kit added, giving me a sideways look. Ah, so he’d been paying attention during my thorough dress-down.
