Colin stood in line behind Isaac and glanced over at Alpha and Alpha-mate, letting himself revel in the comfort of their presence. Colin’s nose told him that Marvin was drinking seaweed and fish sauce tea. The Alpha had mint. Because Alec was occasionally really bad at being a werewolf. What self-respecting wolf drinks mint tea? Still, both drinks were potent enough to permeate even a coffee shop with their scent.
Alec also seemed to be wearing Marvin’s first drink. Colin hid a smug smile at his Alpha’s tricky ways. The fishy smell totally disguised Alec’s strong Alpha odor, not to mention Marvin’s briny pong. Alec was also wearing a dirty lab coat and glasses. He looked like the young, skinny, geeky marine biologist that he was, out on a date with an overdressed hottie who was talking a mile a minute and obviously way too good for him.
Colin turned back in line, looked up to find Isaac watching him with a small smile on his face.
Colin, feeling daring, bumped the Omega with one shoulder. “Why so smug?”
“It looks good on you.”
“What does?”
“Pack. Happiness.”
“Oh, stop it,” said Colin, pleased and blushing.
As they neared the counter, Lexi became more high-pitched in her bubbling enthusiasm. “Oh look, Risa sweetie, how adorbs. They have beverages for shifters. One wouldn’t think a place like this would be so… advanced. Bless their little hearts.” Lexi took in the menu with the appearance of genuine delight.
Trick played his part to a T. Or tea. He spotted Lexi, put his hand to his throat in awe, and gushed, “Oh my gawd! Are you Lexi Blanc? The Lexi Blanc? Queen of Country Music?”
“Why yes, sugah! Yes, I am.”
“I love your work. Just makes me want shake my hips and dance. When it doesn’t make me cry, of course. Because you’re sooooo talented.”
“Well, aren’t you just the sweetest little…” Lexi paused and sniffed. “…watery coffee boy creature feature, aren’t you? Would you be so kind as to make me up one of those parmesan and clam juice carnivore special-teas?”
Trick would not be out-camped by an amateur. “Why, sure thing I will! For the great Lexi Blanc I’d do just about anything. I simply can’t believe it’s you! In my itty-bitty café. We are so honored. Would you sign this napkin, while I make your special extra-special just for you?” He slid a slightly soiled logo napkin over.
Lexi looked at it in disgust.
“I’ll be sure to frame it for the wall,” sang out Trick, manning the tea things with aplomb.
Colin swallowed a laugh.
Lexi’s human entourage tittered with each other about their menu options. Clearly relieved to know that the threat their prey instincts were warning them about was nothing but the small barista. Silly humans. Apparently, it was of greater importance to decide if they could afford the carbs to split one of those nice-looking chocolate orange scones.
Trick assured them that the scone was low-fat and delicious, as he passed Lexi her tea.
“So,” he turned bright eyes on Risa, “what can I get you, deirfiúr?” There was Irish in his mouth all of a sudden, lilting and sweet.
“What’s it mean?” Colin hissed to Judd.
Judd shook his head. “Don’t know.”
Risa seemed to know, however. She tensed up, glared at Trick.
Trick tilted his head at her. “You didn’t know you had family round these parts, did you?”
“Shit,” said Risa. “They sent you to check up on me?”
Trick became one with his name. In that moment, Colin understood what he’d been before, what he was raised as – trickster in truth. Con artist probably, liar most certainly, and really good at all of it. It was a wonder his family ever let him go.
The dratsie didn’t even bat an eye, played instantly on all Risa’s fears. “You’re late with the transfer, otter-kin. You didn’t think we’d just let you fuck this up, did you?”
Lexi looked up from her drink. “Risa, pet? Why is the funny little coffee fishy man talking to you like that?”
“It’s nothing, boss, old family friend, it seems.”
Trick hummed, bright black eyes refocused on Lexi. “Old family, more like. You always keep duds in your retinue, Queen of Country?”
“Duds? I beg your pardon. Risa is the best stylist this side of the Mississippi.”
Trick rolled his eyes so hard he had to rock his head as well. “Oh really? That jacket you’re wearing any kind of indication? Because honey, trust me, it is way too much bling for coffee on a Sunday. Have you never heard