Page 41 of Glitterati Omega

“I am.” He took her hands and gave them a squeeze. “I’m … this might be my last cycle ever, especially if Dr. Arendse has her way.”

Charli patted him on the arm. “You’ve had some fun,” she said. “But you need to prioritize your health. Put yourself first—never mind this alpha.”

“But I—”

She slammed the door shut; the locks clicked on. “No more buts,” she said sternly. “It’s high time you put yourself first.”

Rupert wanted to argue—staying here, with Winston, was looking after himself, thinking about himself before anything or anyone else. But then he felt guilty—perhaps it wasn’t that he needed to be more selfish, but less. Winston didn’t seem to care if he stayed; he was the one who wanted to. And what of Charli, of what he was putting her through?

She was wrong, he decided; he needed to put everyone else ahead of him, something he’d always struggled with, something Thomas had accused him of not being able to do.

“Fine,” he said, lowering his head. “Just … fine.”

The car pulled away from the curb, and Rupert wished, very much, that he didn’t feel like he’d had his heart torn out all over again.