They hugged as awkwardly as she anticipated it being, and then stepped back from each other.
“You know Darrow,” she heard Shiv say, and was surprised when both Dutch and Mantis took turns hugging her in a far warmer way than she’d experienced.
“I’ve just invited Alegria to dinner,” his sister told them. “Can you join us?”
Alegria hadn’t exactly accepted Darrow’s invitation, but when she saw Mantis nod and Dutch look at her hopefully, she murmured her agreement.
The only person who looked as uncomfortable as she felt was Shiver, and he looked more anxious than annoyed like she was.
Two hours later, her back hurt, but not as badly as her ego. It seemed both Dutch and Mantis had endless questions for Darrow, and all but ignored her. Alegria had been ready to leave at least an hour ago, but Dutch didn’t seem like he would be anytime soon.
“You okay?” Mantis asked, obviously noticing her scowl.
“I’m tired and my back hurts,” she told him, although she wasn’t sure he’d heard her since he was looking at his phone.
She pushed her chair away from the table. If Dutch couldn’t pay enough attention to notice, she’d see if there were any flights to New York she could catch tonight. She’d be just as alone in her Manhattan apartment as she felt here.
“Sorry,” she heard Mantis say and then felt his hand on her arm. “I needed to double-check the flight plan.”
“You’re flying to Westchester?”
Mantis raised his eyebrow. “I am.”
“Dutch told me,” she explained. “How are your parents?”
“Getting older, like we all are, but still as active as ever.”
“And your brother?”
“He and Theresa just had their fourth. A girl, I think.”
Alegria sh
ook her head and rolled her eyes.
“What?”
“A girl…you think.”
He shrugged. “You can blame my short-term memory loss on the Somalis.”
“It isn’t like you to blame anyone else for your shortcomings.”
He was looking at his phone again, which was her cue to walk away.
“Wait,” she heard him say. “I was looking for a photo.”
Mantis handed her his phone, and she looked at the picture of his two nephews and two nieces. The fourth was a girl, judging by the pink blanket she was swaddled in.
“I’m guessing you don’t know her name.”
Mantis smiled and shook his head. “In my defense, I’m heading there to see them now. That should count for something. By the way, when I get back, I’m signing a partnership agreement with K19. Will that be a problem?”
“Not at all. Congratulations,” she murmured, casting her gaze toward Dutch, who seemed enthralled by his conversation with Darrow and Shiver.
“He’s looked over a couple of times,” Mantis whispered.
Her head spun to look at him. “What?”