Page 9 of Glitterati Omega

“I don’t want to have to look at that stupid bi—”

“And good evening to you, Percy, sowonderfulto see you again,” Rupert said, watching the other blond bristle.

He had no idea why Morgan had invited him. They knew he and Percival had never gotten along. Rupert had only agreed because he had thought this was for theotherWarwick sibling, Gwen.

After all, Gwen was the only one inclined to marriage; Morgan was single, and Percival … had always shat on the institution. He’d said Rupert was nothing better than a glorified whore when he’d married Thomas.

Perce’s glare increased tenfold now. “Why the hell are you here?” he snarled.

Rupert screwed a smile to his face. “To be fair, I didn’t think you’d ever get married, given that it’s a … oh how did you put that—ah, tantamount to whoring oneself out for food and shelter.”

Perce frowned deeply at him. Then he turned his head, appealing to Morgan. “I told you he could stay if you kept him out of my sight, so I don’t have to look at him or listen to him or think about him or remember he exists.”

“Truly, I’d prefer it if you thought about me precisely never,” Rupert muttered.

“Perce,” Morgan said.

“Percy,” Winston said, “you are being childish.”

Perce looked up at the alpha like he was affronted. Winston lifted his head, as though he was daring the blond to challenge him. Perce’s frown deepened. Winston tilted his head. “Morgan can’t sit on the other side of the room if you want them to look after Isolde, and you can’t shun their date either.”

“Date!” Perce barked. “You’redatinghim now?!”

“No!” Morgan cried.

“Then it doesn’t matter if he sits with you!” Perce barked back. “He can go sit on the other side of the room by himself!”

“This is ridiculous,” Winston muttered. Then he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. “Fine. He’smydate then.”

“Oh,” Rupert said.

“What,” Perce ground out.

“Dude,” said a redhead in square-framed glasses who had just strolled up, “Winston brought adate?” His gaze shifted, and he looked Rupert up and down. Rupert stepped back, almost affronted. But the alpha just smiled brightly and offered his hand. “Jake Cohen,vpof parenting at Warwick Towers.”

Rupert took his hand limply, confused by what he’d just heard. “Rupert Cullinan,” he said, and Jake laughed.

“Shit,” he said, “no way.” He glanced sidelong at Winston, almost curious, almost sly. “You bankrolled this place, right?”

“Well,” Rupert said, slowly sinking into one of the seats, because Jake had sat down and still had a hold of his hand, “I wouldn’t put itthatway—I have a minority share—”

“Right, but, like, you also helped curate the wine list here, right?”

Rupert tilted his head. “Somewhat,” he murmured. He made recommendations after Alina brought him in for tastings, and they usually got drunk doing it.

Winston perched in the chair beside him. Perce was glaring daggers at Morgan, who finally shook their head, tossed their hands in the air, and stalked off. Rupert frowned, wondering what that was about, but he didn’t have time to ponder it, because Jake drummed his hands on the table and said, “Okay, so, we’re having a problem. Like, we’re trying to pick wine for the wedding—”

“You’re trying to pick wine for the wedding,” Perce corrected tartly.

Jake gave him a look, then turned back to Rupert. “So, like—”

“It’s handled,” Rupert said airily, waving a hand. “Yesterday, Winston and I were with Morgan on a wine-tasting tour for that very reason.”

“Oh,” Jake almost laughed. “Oh, awesome. That’s great.” He glanced between them, grinning like a loon. “So, how long you two been going out?”

“Um,” Rupert said, tossing a desperate look at Winston.

Winston looked at him, then shrugged. “Since yesterday,” he said, then broke into a wide, easy smile.