course. And maybe the butcher. I mean,possiblythe butcher. I think he suspects...”
Staring at Frankie in disbelief, Snod snarled, “How the hell you have not been killed yet is beyond
me.”
“Because I only tell people that I trust!” Frankie argued defiantly, his irritation boiling up fast in the
bond.
“You can’t trust anyone,” Snod reminded him with a scowl.
“I trust you most of the time!”
“Probably shouldn’t,” Rees piped up from the bar, leaning across it to watch them argue.
Snod pointed at Rees, scoffing, “See?”
“Obe,” Frankie scolded, “it’s okay to trust people! It’s okay to open up! You trust me, don’t you?”
“No,” Snod replied bluntly, gritting his teeth, “because I’m not a fool.”
“So, wait, you’re saying I am?” Frankie scoffed.
“Yes,” Snod answered stubbornly.
“Relationships have to be built on trust,” Frankie growled, looking so beautifully human when he was
pissed off. “And also! Not telling your boyfriend that he’s stupid would be good, too!”
Boyfriend.
The word hit Snod right in the stomach, his face flushing brightly. All of his rage was immediately
drowned out by something warm and shy, asking breathlessly, “Boyfriend?”
“Yes! Boyfriend!” Frankie said earnestly. “Dating, me and you, remember? Isn’t that...” There was a
sting of something sharp in the bond, something hesitant. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Hey, ahem, lovebirds!” Rees called out. “I’ve got to open in thirty minutes. Come on. As entertaining
as your domestic drama is, it’s not good for business.”
“Sorry, Rees. Look, Obe, we’ll talk about this later,” Frankie said flatly, his expression blank though
Snod could still feel how hurt he was. He offered his friend a strained smile. “What time should I
pick him up?”
“Last call is at two,” Rees mused, tapping his long nails on the bar top as he thought it over. “Let’s
say three.”
Frankie flitted over to Snod’s side, kissing his cheek. “Rees has my number if you need me. I’ll see
you tonight.”
Snod flinched at the kiss, not used to such open displays of affection. He was afraid that someone
