“Nothing,” Antonio and I said in unison.
Scott, my brother-in-law, entered the kitchen and saved us with a diversion. “Honey, where’s the wine opener?”
Dinner was lively as always. Louise chattered about her dance recital, Antonio boasted about his lacrosse game, and Flora kept refilling my plate.
“So,” Flora started, her tone shifting to that nosy-sister voice I knew all too well. “Any progress finding a Luna for our pack?”
I nearly choked on my wine. “Not this again.”
“You’re thirty-two, Joseph. The pack needs stability.”
“The pack is doing just fine,” I countered. “Our numbers are up, territory is secure, and finances are better than ever.”
“A pack needs more than money and numbers,” Flora insisted. “It needs a maternal figure, especially for the younger ones.”
“Mom, leave Uncle J alone,” Antonio interjected. “He’s probably got women lined up around the block.”
I winked at my nephew. “You know it.”
“Actually,” I continued, surprising myself, “there is someone who’s caught my interest recently.”
The table fell silent. Four pairs of eyes stared at me in shock.
“What?” Scott broke the silence. “The eternal bachelor is interested in someone specific? Alert the media.”
“Who is she?” Flora leaned forward eagerly.
I shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant. “Just someone I met. Beautiful, smart… completely unimpressed by me.”
Scott burst out laughing. “Seriously? There’s actually a woman who isn’t falling all over you?”
“Hard to believe, I know,” I said dryly.
“I already got her number,” I mind-linked to Antonio.
“But she’s not responding, is she?” he shot back, smirking.
“What are you two mind-linking about?” Flora demanded, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.
“Guy stuff,” Antonio replied.
“Joseph, how serious is this?” Flora pressed. “Because if you’re actually considering someone as your Luna, the pack council will want to meet her.”
“It’s not like that,” I said quickly. “She barely acknowledges my existence.”
“That’s new,” Scott chuckled. “How does it feel to be on the other side for once?”
“Annoying as hell,” I admitted.
Louise piped up innocently, “Just give her flowers! That’s what princes do in my books.”
“It’s a bit more complicated than fairy tales, sweetheart,” I smiled at my niece.
“Joseph,” Flora’s voice turned serious. “If you’re genuinely interested in someone, don’t play games. Our pack needs a proper Luna, not another one of your flings.”
Scott grinned. “How about having a friend deliver some cheesy pickup lines on little notes? That’s how I got Flora. She thought it was so funny that she gave me a chance.”
Flora’s face turned bright red. “That was back in high school!”
I scoffed. “That’s way too old-fashioned!”
Scott wiggled his eyebrows at me. “It’s called a classic move.”
I thought about it. Why not? She wasn’t responding to my texts anyway. Maybe I’d go old school and take his advice.
I sighed. “Antonio, stop by my office tomorrow after school. I could use your insight.”
The next day, after school, Antonio arrived at my office.
“I’m here, Uncle J. What do you need…” He stopped mid-sentence and stared at Eleanor with wide eyes.
“Uncle?” Eleanor raised an eyebrow at me.
“This is Antonio, my nephew. Antonio, meet Eleanor, my assistant,” I introduced them.
“Damn, not even Google could find someone like you,” Antonio blurted out, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Seriously, Joseph? Are you teaching him this nonsense?” Eleanor shot me an amused look.
“I had nothing to do with this,” I said, still chuckling.
Eleanor walked over to Antonio and looked him up and down with a smirk.
“If you were legal, I might actually consider it. You’re adorable.”
Antonio turned bright red.
“So you’d go for my nephew but won’t give me the time of day?” I teased.
“Oh please, Joseph. He’s way cuter than you,” Eleanor grabbed her purse. “I’m going to lunch. Play nice, boys.”
After she left, Antonio slumped into the chair.
“Holy shit, Uncle J. She’s incredible. How do you even concentrate at work?”
“I control my hormones, boy.” I wouldn’t let him know that it was Eleanor who controlled me.
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