complicated concoction of beef, foam and a green sauce that smelled amazing, plus a few tiny flowers the server promised were edible. The beef was slightly spicy, the foam kind of sweet. Together, the flavors sort of reminded him of barbecue.
“Okay, you got a five-minute reprieve,” Hyatt said after they’d all cleaned their plates of the small portion. “Are you dating someone? Like, seriously enough to move in with them?”
“No, I’m not seriously dating anyone.” Symon huffed. “Look, Jaxson and Morgyn are both in university. Jaxson chose to live at home instead of on campus because Opa was sick, but now Opa is better.” Opa being Jax. “Morgyn wanted to live on campus, but when Jaxson didn’t, Morgyn decided he’d live at home, too, because he didn’t want to room with a stranger. They’ve been talking about campus housing next year, and I’d love to be more independent, especially now that I work full-time at Perks. I’ve lived in the Jenks house for over a year, and I’m twenty-one. I think it’s time.”
“Wow.” Rebel smiled at Symon with so much pride it radiated from his skin. “I am so happy to hear you say that. You have grown by leaps and bounds since you got out of that mansion job and onto your own two feet. I know it hasn’t been an easy journey, but you are my hero, Symon Lee.”
“Nah, you’re the hero, and you always will be. The only reason we three are here is because of you. I still can’t believe you’re going to be a dad. I hope your kid has your red hair and freckles.”
Rebel chuckled. “We’ll see. As long as he’s healthy, I don’t care who he looks like or what gender he is.”
“Same,” Hyatt said. “And he’s going to have more uncles to spoil him than he’ll know what to do with.”
“I’m counting on that. I’m also grateful to have Dad and Opa as his grandparents.”
“Goddess, we need to start planning a baby shower soon.”
“We’ve still got time for all that. How about we sit here, enjoy our food and wine, and absorb how wonderful our lives are right now.”
Hyatt sipped his wine, knowing full well his own life wasn’t as wonderful as it could be if he let go of his pride. “I need to talk to Dorian soon. Ignoring him all day, after the week he’s had, was kind of mean.”
“Even if it was mean, it was what you needed,” Symon said. “It’s okay to put yourself first once in a while. Even couples who seem as perfect as Dad and Opa still fight sometimes.”
“True.”
The server arrived with their soup course, and Hyatt pushed all regrets aside to focus on the fancy bowl of food in front of him. For a while that night, nothing mattered more than this amazing time spent with his brothers.
Hyatt was still slightly tipsy from wine when the limo dropped him off in front of his building around eight o’clock that night. He was stuffed full of amazing, luxurious food, he’d had the best night with Symon and Rebel, and he was ready to face-plant in his bed for a while. But when he opened the apartment door, a shocking sight welcomed him.
A giant bouquet of flowers had overtaken the small dining table. All kinds of flowers in every shade imaginable, and their sweet fragrance filled the apartment. But more than the flowers, and more than Khory and Aeron watching him curiously from the couch, was Dorian kneeling on the floor by the flowers, head lowered, in the most submissive posture Hyatt had ever seen from an alpha.
“Um,” was all Hyatt managed.
“He’s been like that for two hours,” Aeron said. “Did you guys have a fight or something? He wouldn’t say.”
“It wasn’t a major fight.” Certainly not worth those flowers and waiting around in silence for two hours. “Dorian, please get up.”
He did, rising stiffly and with a bit of wobbling, but he kept his gaze on the floor. The very picture of a contrite alpha hoping to please his omega.
“You weren’t trying to be cruel, and I know that,” Hyatt said. “You did a very kind thing when you gave us that credit. And I had a lot of fun tonight spending some of it. Now that I know I can.” In the periphery of his vision, Aeron and Khory shared confused looks, but Hyatt only had eyes for Dorian. “I forgive you. And thank you for your gift. Both the credit and these.” He