“Embroiled in?”
“One of the guys I was talking to? He’s a fellow paralegal who’s been flirting with me for months and can’t seem to take the hint that I’m not interested.”
Branson hadn’t paid much attention to the two guys, other than one seemed drunker than the other. “Not your type?”
“Nope. I’ve also tried making it very clear that I don’t date coworkers.”
“Probably a good rule. Maybe you should ditch the subtle approach and try using a clue-hammer on him.”
“Probably so.” Tarius sipped his drink. “Mmm, not bad. Some folks add too much sugar syrup.”
“What exactly is in that?”
“Gin, sugar syrup, lemon juice and carbonated water. I’m a fan of simple drinks.”
Branson tapped the lip of his bottle against Tarius’s glass. “I’m all for simple, too.”
“I imagine so, especially having the mayor for an uncle and an activist for an omegin.”
He snorted. “You have no idea how crazy it was growing up in my family. Not only having a famous omegin, but also the twins. It was way worse when we were all kids, and it helps that there was another set born in Cornerstone Province a few years ago.”
“And then Emory and the triplets happened?”
“That’s one way of putting it.”
Ten months ago, omega Emory had been kidnapped during his second heat. For five long, painful months, Branson and his family had worried and wondered if they’d ever see Emory alive again—and then he’d reappeared, pregnant with triplets, with whom he’d given birth via Cesarean two months ago. They’d been premature, underweight, and the last of the three to leave the hospital had just come home two weeks ago. During the entire ordeal, Emory had also realized that long-time family friend Eriq Lars-Higgs (Tarius’s own, uh, step-nephew?) was Emory’s alpha bondmate.
Oh, yeah, and Emory had nearly died from a heart attack while giving birth.
Branson seriously needed a break from the stress of being part of the Cross family. He adored his brothers, his nephews, and his entire extended family, but sometimes…fuck.
Exhausted of being the topic, Branson said, “So, if you were fending off that guy earlier, I’m assuming you didn’t come with someone who might get jealous of you talking to a much younger guy?”
Tarius shook his head. “Nope, I revel in my singlehood. Growing up, my omegin was a pro at navigating conversations with strangers at work functions like this, especially when Dad got pulled away by coworkers. Some of that talent rubbed off on me, so it no longer feels awkward showing up alone.”
“Makes sense.” Tarius’s alpha sire was a retired Chief Constable, and his omegin had passed away before Branson was born. It was kind of odd to think the guy who’d bought him a beer was a teenager when Branson was an infant, but such was life. Branson glanced across the room to where Papa stood chatting with a client, unable to imagine losing either of his own parents. Hell, it had been hard enough when Uncle Tarek was shot and paralyzed seven years ago.
“You okay?” Tarius tapped his wrist. “You got that unhappy look again.”
“Sorry, I’m usually better at controlling my facial expressions. I’ll try not to be such a Daryl-Downer.”
“I don’t think you’re being a downer, and if you’re sitting over here by yourself, I’ll go ahead and assume you aren’t here with anyone, either?”
“Just your boss.”
“Nothing wrong with that. You’re what? Twenty-two?”
“Twenty-two and a half.”
Tarius grinned. “Plenty of time left for dating.”
“Not according to my friends. Gaven loves to pick on me about not dating and won’t take ‘just not interested’ as a validreason. Especially now that Gaven’s mated and about to have his first kid.” His honorary cousin Gaven Freel and his omega mate Frey had been trying for a child for years, and they’d finally gotten pregnant during Frey’s last heat. The pair desperately wanted to start a family, and Branson was thrilled their dream was finally coming true.
Just because it wasn’t his dream didn’t mean he resented his best friends for wanting something different.
“My brother Aven used to tease me about not dating when I was your age.” Something uncomfortable passed across Tarius’s face. An appealing face Branson enjoyed looking at. And he was giving Branson his full attention, which rarely happened. Far too often, guys chatted up Branson so they could ask about his more famous family members, and he loathed that.
Branson sighed. “I’m starting to get that from some of my own family. How’d you deal with it? I mean, you’re in your late thirties and still single, so I guess you have a trick to getting family to leave you alone?”
