Chapter 288 Housewarming Party

Chapter 288: Chapter 288 Housewarming Party

Since Eira was hosting her own housewarming dinner, she insisted on cooking.

The kitchen smelled of roasted garlic, rosemary, and lemon.

She moved between the island and the stove in a soft gray sweater, black leggings, and an apron Mrs. Jones had bought for her that afternoon.

The dining table was already set with white plates, linen napkins, and small gold candles.

Lila watched her for a moment, then suddenly stood.

"I’m going to run out for a minute."

Eira glanced over her shoulder. "Where?"

"Out."

"That clears things up."

"I’ll be right back." Lila pointed toward the dining room. "Save me a seat."

"There’s already one with your name on it."

Lila slipped outside and nearly collided with Alpha Killian’s driver, who was walking up the driveway with a sleek black gift bag in one hand.

"Miss Lila," he said. "Were you looking for wine?"

Lila stopped. "Maybe."

"Alpha Killian asked me to bring these over. He thought your guests might enjoy them."

Inside the bag were two bottles from Alpha Killian’s private cellar, both with labels Lila recognized immediately. She had tried to "borrow" wine from that cellar more than once. Alpha Killian called it stealing. She called it family sharing.

"I was literally about to text him," she said, taking the bag. "Great minds."

The driver smiled politely. "That’s what he said."

"Did he?"

"No, ma’am."

Lila hugged the bag to her chest and hurried inside.

Eira looked up from the cutting board. "That was quick. Did you even make it to your car?"

"I went to get wine."

Mrs. Jones turned from the stove and spotted the black carriers. Her eyes narrowed with amusement.

"Those bottles came from the young master’s cellar."

Lila set the bag on the counter. "They were delivered."

"Of course they were."

Eira raised an eyebrow.

Lila held out both hands. "Fine. I was going to sneak into Alpha Killian’s cellar and take two bottles, but his driver showed up first."

"Take?" Eira repeated.

"Borrow. Permanently."

"You and Killian really are alike."

"Excuse me?" Lila placed a hand over her heart. "I’m delightful. He’s a grumpy, sharp-tongued ice cube."

"You both take expensive things without asking."

"That is a wildly unfair comparison."

"You also both pretend it’s perfectly reasonable."

Lila opened her mouth, then thought better of it. "I still say I’m the fun one."

Eira laughed and turned back to the vegetables.

As she reached for the rosemary, an image of Alpha Killian crossed her mind. Damp hair. Rolled-up sleeves. The quiet patience in his eyes as he had moved around her kitchen.

Her expression softened.

"Actually," she said, "Killian is interesting."

Lila stared at her. "Interesting? You’re the first person alive to describe my brother that way."

"What would you call him?"

"Emotionally constipated. Occasionally terrifying. Unfortunately hot."

"Lila."

"What? I’m being honest."

Mrs. Jones pressed a hand to her chest. "Well, well. Ms. Crawford has finally taken an interest in our Alpha."

Eira and Lila turned toward her.

Mrs. Jones only smiled. Then she slipped her phone from her apron and sent Alpha Killian a message.

Mrs. Jones: Eira says you’re interesting.

--

By six o’clock, 10 Ashford Lane was full of warm voices and the smell of roasted garlic, rosemary, and fresh bread.

Beatrice arrived first with Martin. Professor Davies and his wife, Lana, came a few minutes later, followed by Dr. Shaw and his grandson, Felix.

No one showed up empty-handed.

Beatrice brought a bottle of California cabernet, the Davies brought homemade cookies, and Dr. Shaw carried a wrapped candle that looked expensive enough to belong in a hotel lobby.

They all knew one another, so introductions were unnecessary. Coats were dropped by the entryway, drinks were poured, and everyone settled into the living room while Eira and Lila finished dinner in the kitchen.

Beatrice spotted Dr. Shaw across the room.

"I still can’t believe you cleared your schedule for this. Alaric used to beg you to come to dinner, and you always said no."

Dr. Shaw took a sip of bourbon. "Whenever Alaric called, it was never a social visit. He wanted to brag about Eira for two hours."

Beatrice laughed. "He was proud of her."

"He was obsessed with her résumé. There’s a difference."

The conversation moved easily from research grants and university politics to college applications, family plans, and holiday traffic along the 101.

At the mention of college, Dr. Shaw turned to Professor Davies. "So where is your daughter applying?"

"Wherever she wants," Davies replied. "Lana and I agreed to stay out of it."

Lana lifted her glass. "We’re trying very hard not to become those parents."

"That never works," Beatrice said.

In the kitchen, Felix finally found an excuse to escape the adults. He rolled up his sleeves and approached Eira and Lila.

"Can I help with anything?"

Lila glanced at his spotless hands and pressed her lips together to hide a grin.

"No offense, but you don’t exactly look like a guy who spends his weekends meal-prepping."

Felix looked down at his hands. "I can carry something."

"Perfect. Plates, glasses, napkins. Nothing involving fire or sharp knives." She handed him a stack of plates. "That’s your lane."

"I can still help," he said, already moving closer to Eira.

He stayed beside her as she arranged the food, asking questions and offering to carry anything she touched.

Lila watched for exactly ten seconds before pulling out her phone.

Lila: Heads-up, favorite brother. Felix is definitely into Eira.

Then she pressed send and smiled.

The moment Alpha Killian saw Lila’s text appear beneath the conference table, he wrapped up the meeting in three quick sentences.

"Send me the revised projections by noon. Push the investor call to Friday. That’s all for today."

He stood before anyone could argue and walked out.

By the time the sedan pulled up outside Number Ten on Ashford Lane, Alpha Killian had already loosened his tie. He paused at the front step, straightened his jacket, and ran a hand through his windblown hair.

Then he rang the bell.

Eira opened the door.

She looked at his suit, then at his face. "You came straight from work."

"Apparently, I had plans."

"With us?"

"Lila’s plans. I was informed after the fact."

A smile tugged at Eira’s mouth. She stepped aside. "Come in."