Page 80 of Glitterati Omega

“I didn’t have many options,” he countered, glancing over his shoulder as they entered the sunroom. “Wine?”

“Mm, please,” Alina said, and the two of them perched on the chairs as Rupert poured out a couple of glasses of red from the decanter on the sideboard. He handed them each a glass.

Alina frowned at him. “You’re not having any?”

He shook his head. Elise’s frown deepened. She looked toward the foyer. “Is Morgan joining us?”

“Maybe,” he replied, glancing at the clock. “Winston should be home shortly.”

“Winston,” Elise scoffed. “I thought you’d taken our advice and dumped him.”

Rupert took up a seat across from them. “Mm. We worked it out.”

“Roo, there is no working out a secret spouse—”

“There is no secret spouse,” Rupert said hotly. “And in fact, you probably ought not to mention that to me again—I’m a little sore you even suggested it.”

Elise sipped at her wine, staring at him over the rim of the glass. “Why would he lie to his parents about you then?”

Rupert sighed, waving a hand. “Some big—colonialism thing.”

Alina and Elise exchanged glances. The door swung open, and Rupert pushed to his feet. “That will be him now.”

He was almost thankful to get the momentary reprieve from his friends; he felt the two of them were judging him—as though it were his fault he’d ended up in an abusive marriage. He was simply too dim to help himself—they’d told him to get out, and yet here he was …

Why couldn’t Elise just accept that there was no secret spouse? Why did she seem to think Rupert ought to remain skeptical of that?

“Hello,” he said to Winston.

“Hello,” the alpha returned as he pried off his right shoe. He glanced up, then did a double-take. “Look at you. Is there something happening?”

“Company,” Rupert said.

“Oh.” Winston’s face fell.

“Just Alina and Elise. They’re heading off on a European tour, so we’re going to have dinner before they depart.”

“Ah,” Winston said with a nod. He set his shoe down, followed by his briefcase. His gaze raked over Rupert. “Well. You look very nice.”

Rupert flushed. “You think?”

“Mm.” Winston peered at him a little longer. He rubbed Rupert’s arm, then let his hand slide around his waist, down to his hip. Rupert tittered nervously, then pulled away.

“We’re just in the sunroom while we wait for dinner. Join us for drinks when you’re ready.”

Winston caught his hand. “You’re not drinking, are you?”

“Of course not!” Rupert cried. “I’m not that dim, Winnie.”

The alpha nodded. “All right. Of course. It’s bad for the …” His gaze raked up and down him again, before he leaned forward and gave Rupert a swift pat on the belly.

Rupert blushed again. “Stop that. I haven’t told anyone.”

“It’s … rather noticeable, poppet.”

“Is it?” Rupert murmured, glancing down. Well. He knew that he looked different. He wasn’t quite sure how to feel about that.

“You look fine,” Winston said quickly. “Better than fine, even.”