Chapter 64 When Are You Coming Back?

By the time they reached Lila’s apartment, the food was already on its way.

As they stepped inside, Lila’s phone buzzed.

A message from Alpha Killian filled the screen.

You raided my wine collection? We’ll talk when I get home.

Lila stared at the message, then grabbed Eira’s arm and gave her a pleading look.

"You’ll have my back when Killian comes after me over that bottle, right?"

"I’ll tell him it was partly my fault."

"I don’t mean just tonight. I mean from now on."

"Of course," Eira said. "You’re my friend."

Lila brightened. "And Killian?"

"My boss."

"That’s it?"

"What else would he be?"

"You’re no fun." Lila kicked off her shoes. "Forget him. Tonight is girls’ night."

The food arrived soon after. They sat on the rug around the coffee table with Buffalo wings, loaded fries, and Coke.

Lila tried a mild wing and frowned.

"This barely counts as hot."

"You’ve been drinking. I wasn’t taking any chances."

"I can handle spice."

"You couldn’t handle your phone in the car."

"The screen kept moving."

"The car was moving."

Lila paused. "Okay, fair. Next time, we’re getting the hot wings."

Eira laughed and handed her the ranch.

She thought of the care packages from Miss Gwen and the children.

"Miss Gwen sent me some treats from back home. I’ll bring you a few tomorrow."

"What kind?"

"Spicy peanut brittle, cookies, dried fruit."

Lila’s eyes lit up. "Bring everything."

"I said a few."

"We’re best friends. Best friends don’t hold out on snacks."

"You declared us best friends over a pair of slippers."

"And now you’re feeding me. This friendship just keeps getting better."

Eira shook her head, smiling.

Her phone lit up on the coffee table.

Sebastian: [When are you coming back?]

She turned it facedown without replying.

Lila noticed but didn’t ask. She kept the conversation light and never pushed Eira to talk about anything she wasn’t ready to share.

--

Back at the Hale apartment, Alpha Sebastian checked his phone again.

Eira’s only reply had been:[I can’t leave yet.]

Alpha Sebastian sat on the couch, checking his phone while the remains of dinner grew cold on the table.

Ethan stood and grabbed his coat. "She’s probably staying at Lila’s. Want me to stick around?"

"No. Go home."

Once outside, Ethan texted Serena.

[Sebastian’s in a mood. You might want to check on him before it starts affecting the bid. He’s at home.]

Serena almost ignored the message.

After their argument at Eden Garden, Alpha Sebastian had sent her an expensive handbag instead of offering a real apology.

Still, she could not afford to give Eira an opening.

Twenty minutes later, she rang Alpha Sebastian’s doorbell.

He opened it almost at once. "Why didn’t you use the code?"

Then he saw Serena, and his expression changed. He had been expecting Eira.

Serena noticed but pretended not to. "I don’t have the code."

"Right."

Alpha Sebastian stepped aside. Serena entered and glanced at the four place settings on the table.

"Looks like I missed dinner."

"Ethan, Lila, and Eira were here."

"Where’s Eira?"

"She took Lila home."

The irritation in his voice told Serena everything.

"You’re waiting for her."

"I’m not."

"Then why did you look so disappointed when you opened the door?"

Alpha Sebastian’s expression hardened. "Drop it, Serena."

She flinched, and he immediately regretted his tone. "Sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped."

Serena forced a small smile and wrapped her arms around him.

"I missed you."

Alpha Sebastian did not return the embrace. His gaze moved to the front door again.

Serena’s arms tightened. He was still waiting for Eira.

She quickly changed the subject.

"Sebastian, I have access to data from the Sovereign Processor Initiative. Do you need it? I’m looking forward to celebrating your success."

---

The next morning, Eira woke early out of habit.

She made breakfast for Lila, left her a note, and packed an extra serving for Kate before heading to Sterling Group headquarters.

Alpha Killian was still away on business, with Miles and Natalie traveling with him. That left Eira and Kate alone in the executive office.

Eira placed a container on Kate’s desk.

"I made extra."

Kate opened it and found a breakfast sandwich, crispy potatoes, and fresh fruit.

"You made all this?"

"I hope you like it."

Kate took a picture before digging in.

[My coworker fed me. I’m never leaving this job.]

Less than a minute later, a notification appeared.

Killian Sterling liked your post.

Kate nearly dropped her fork.

Alpha Killian had never liked one of her posts before.

Eira noticed her staring at the screen. "Everything okay?"

"Yep. Totally normal."

Kate quickly put down her phone and took a bite.

"This is ridiculously good."

Eira smiled. "I’m glad."

By lunch, Eira had stopped by the Hale apartment while Alpha Sebastian was at work. She picked up a few personal items and some treats from Miss Gwen’s care packages, then brought them back to the office.

The smell of chili soon caught Kate’s attention.

"What do you have under there?"

Eira pulled a bag of chili-lime kettle chips and a container of spicy peanut brittle from beneath her desk.

"Treats from back home. Want some?"

"Is that even a question?"

Kate tried a chip and immediately reached for another.

"These are dangerously addictive."

"Too spicy?"

"My mouth is on fire, but I regret nothing."

She snapped another picture.

Fed twice in one day. I’ve officially been spoiled.

Alpha Killian liked that post too.

Comments from Miles and Natalie followed almost at once.

Miles: Save some for us.

Natalie: We leave for one trip and Kate gets all the good stuff?

Kate laughed and opened a delivery app.

"Coffee and dessert are on me. What do you want?"

"You don’t have to."

"I know. Now pick something before I order for you."

Eira gave in. "Iced tea."

"Done."

By the end of the day, Eira had divided the remaining treats into a few smaller bags.

When she left the building, a blush-pink Ferrari was waiting at the curb.

"Eira!"

Lila leaned across the passenger seat and waved.

Several employees near the entrance turned to look. Rumors were already flying about the former administrative employee Alpha Killian had suddenly promoted. Seeing Lila Sterling pick her up gave the office gossips something new to talk about.

Eira walked over with two reusable totes.

"Trying to make a scene?"

Lila glanced at the car. "Hey, blame the Ferrari."

She pushed open the passenger door.

"Thanks for breakfast. I was with my mentor this morning, or I would’ve driven you to work too."

"You didn’t have to pick me up."

"I know. That’s what friends do."

Eira got in and fastened her seat belt.

Lila pointed at her. "Don’t look so nervous. I’m a great driver, no matter what Killian says."

"He told me to hold on for dear life."

"That jerk."

Eira laughed as Lila pulled away from the curb.

"We’re going to the Thorne residence, right?" Lila asked.

"Yes. I need to tell Beatrice and Denny that I’m moving out."

Until her own house was ready, Eira planned to stay in Professor Davies’s guest room.

When they reached the Thorne residence, Denny welcomed Lila inside.

Eira set the totes on the table and handed Lila a small bag of treats.

"Try these. If you like them, I’ll bring you more."

Lila hugged the bag to her chest. "Best day ever."

"They’re snacks."

"Snacks you gave me. Big difference."

She took a few pictures and sent them straight to Alpha Killian.

Eira made me breakfast.

She gave me snacks too.

You get nothing.

Several states away, Alpha Killian read the messages between meetings.

Kate had already posted Eira’s breakfast and snacks. Now Lila was rubbing both in his face while he worked through the schedule Eira had packed with back-to-back meetings.

He typed a reply.

[Enjoy it while it lasts.]

Lila grinned at the screen.

Before she could answer, Eira’s phone began to ring.