Chapter 0090

With no training scheduled after school, I indulge in some extra pampering for tonight's dinner. The bathtub beckons, and I sink into the warm water scented with the jasmine bath salts Adrian gifted me last month. Candles flicker around the porcelain edges as I soak longer than necessary. After toweling off, I massage vanilla-scented body butter into my skin until it glows.

My hair takes forever to style - the blow dryer coaxing my natural waves into bouncy curls that frame my face. A light touch of mascara and lip gloss completes the look. Subtle but effective. I don't want to appear like I'm trying too hard.

The olive sweater dress hugs my curves perfectly, the cowl neckline adding just enough sophistication. Black leggings and knee-high suede boots complete the outfit. Casual yet put together.

Planning this dinner required strategy. Since Dad always grills steaks on Thursdays, I decided to elevate our usual meal. The truffle butter was my brilliant idea - it'll melt luxuriously over the meat. Dad came through with all my special requests: fresh lobster for the mac and cheese, crisp iceberg for wedge salads. Decadent but still homey.

When Dad barrels into the kitchen, he freezes mid-step. "Evelyn?"

I keep my back turned, focusing on the salad prep. "Thanks for getting the lobster and truffle butter, Dad."

"Evelyn Sinclair, why are you dressed like you're going on a date?" His voice carries that particular dad-tone - equal parts suspicious and amused.

I could play dumb, but my terrible poker face would give me away instantly. "I invited Alpha Adrian for dinner. Apparently he's been begging Alistair to let him join our Thursday dinners for years. Something about it being 'father-son time'." My fingers make sarcastic air quotes.

"So that explains the fancy spread," he says, eyeing the lobster.

"It's his first time eating here," I hedge.

Dad cuts me off with a knowing smirk. "And your first time inviting a man over for dinner."

"He saved my life, Dad."

"Uh-huh. That's the story you're sticking with?" His eyebrows practically touch his hairline.

"Aren't those steaks supposed to be prepping themselves?" I deflect just as the doorbell rings.

My breath hitches. We lock eyes for a charged second before I smooth my dress. "I'll get it."

POINTS

The short hallway feels endless. Why are my palms sweating? I paste on a calm smile and swing the door open.

"Alistair. Hello. Please come in."

His eyebrow arches at my unusually warm greeting. "Were you expecting someone else?"

I gesture toward the kitchen with forced nonchalance. "Dad's just getting the steaks ready. If you hurry, you might catch him before he seasons them." Alistair's chuckle follows him down the hall as I lean against the closed door, exhaling sharply.

From the kitchen, I hear Alistair's surprised exclamation about the lobster mac. "Did I win some secret lottery to deserve this feast?" His question coincides with another knock.

Alistair's head snaps up, nostrils flaring. He must recognize Adrian's scent. "I've got it," I announce, spinning on my heel before he can comment.

Adrian stands on the porch holding two dozen red roses, his smile brighter than the setting sun. "Hey gorgeous. These reminded me of you." The flowers press into my hands, their fragrance intoxicating.

"Red this time," I note, stepping aside to let him enter.

He brushes past me, lips grazing my cheek. "Mmm, red means something entirely different than white." His gaze holds mine, stealing my breath and coherent thought.

"Son? What are you doing here?" Alistair's voice shatters the moment.