Page 8 of Roommates' Alpha
I turned to see Ryan beaming at me from the door to an office that hadn’t been there the last time I’d visited.
A grin spread across my face and I walked over to give Ryan a side hug. “I take it this is why you called?”
Ryan hugged me back, nodding into my chest. “They just finished it yesterday. Not even all the new furniture is in yet, but I couldn’t wait.”
“I’m happy for you, Bug.”
He sighed in contentment. “This isn’t my first time having an office, but it feels different this time.”
I chuckled. “That’s because you know you’re staying here. It’s your office, rather than you being a temporary occupant.”
He hummed. “You’re probably right.”
“Mind if I go drop the pizzas in the break room before you show it off?”
Ryan slapped his forehead. “I should have asked Micah what kind of pizza he likes.”
I glanced over at the blond man. “The new receptionist?”
“Yeah.” Ryan grabbed the arm not holding pizza boxes and dragged me over to the reception desk.
“Micah,” Ryan said as we stopped, “this is my cousin, Owen. Owen, Micah.”
I set the pizza boxes on the counter and reached over to shake Micah’s hand, noticing how slight he was. Then the glittery pink polish on his nails sparkled, catching me off guard.
“Nice to meet you,” he stated.
I smiled and nodded. “Likewise.”
I stepped back and hefted the pizzas again. “I’ve got pepperoni, pepperoni and sausage, supreme, and Hawaiian. I don’t know what you like, but hopefully one of those will do.”
He blinked. “Huh?”
Ryan laughed beside me. “Owen’s the manager at Slice of Heaven. I asked him to bring pizza to celebrate my new office.”
“Oh,” Micah replied. “Um… I’m easy. Pepperoni or Hawaiian are going to be fine with me.”
“Great! I’m going to put them in the break room, but I think there’s usually plenty for everybody,” I stated.
Ryan nodded in my peripheral vision. “I’ll let the guys know you’re here, then I can show you my office.”
“Ok.”
We started down the hall together, but I veered into the break room while Ryan continued to the conference room at the rear of the building. A few minutes later I heard them approach.
“Ryan couldn’t wait to show you, huh?” Alonzo—one of Ryan’s mates—asked as he came in.
I shook my head. “He’s pretty excited.”
Zane—another mate—laughed. “Can’t blame him. It’s a nice office, and he’ll get to make it his own.”
I turned to see Ryan, and his other two mates—Linden and Brendan—walking in. They stood on either side of Ryan, each leaning in to kiss his hair—which made him blush.
“Want me to wait out in the reception area?” I teased. “So you can shower him with all the attention he deserves?”
“Owen!” Ryan protested, moving to push me out of the room.
I laughed as I let him relocate me. Ryan’s mates were good for him, and better for his self-confidence. He was flourishing with them.