“How did you meet Frankie?” Snod asked curiously.
“He saved my life,” Rees replied with a shrug. Before he could elaborate, he looked up at the door
and grinned. “Speak of the devil. Look who’s here!”
“Hey!” Frankie had arrived, cheerfully greeting Snod with a kiss on his cheek. “Hi! How did it go?”
“Good,” Snod gushed, absolutely drinking in the affection. He was beaming proudly as he announced,
“I broke someone’s wrist.”
Frankie was instantly horrified, sputtering, “What?”
“It was Kevin,” Mandy filled in helpfully as she came back to the bar, wiping down the counter. “His
usual pervy shit. Tried to grab me, so Snod grabbed him.”
“Well, I guess Kevin will finally learn to never do that again.” Frankie looked at Snod, scolding,
“You need to be careful.”
“Already told him,” Rees said with a smirk. “I got him, Frankie. It’s okay.”
Frankie seemed to relax, allowing himself to press up against Snod’s side. “Thank you again,” he told
his friend. “I trust everything else went well?”
“Very well,” Snod said, smiling as he looked over Frankie’s handsome face. He had missed him,
surprised how his heart felt so much lighter just being near him.
“Sweet thing did great,” Rees promised. “I think he is gonna be fine here.” He nodded at Snod,
saying, “See you tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow,” Snod agreed, eager to get home and be alone with Frankie.
“See you tomorrow!” Mandy called out cheerfully.
“Bye, guys!” Frankie said with a grin, waving.
Snod nodded his farewell, winding his arm around Frankie’s waist and was already hurrying toward
the door.
“Hey, sweet thing,” Rees called out dryly, leaning on the bar and propping his chin in his hand.
“Don’t you wanna get paid?”
Snod stopped, quickly turning back to the bar. “Yes.”
Rees snorted to himself, moving to the register to count out some cash.
Mandy sorted through the tip jar and pressed a few more bills into Snod’s hand, saying, “A little
extra. As a thank you for defending my honor.”
“Thank you,” Snod said, accepting the money and tucking it in his pocket.
