Snod narrowed his eyes, but Frankie kept him focused on breakfast.
Lorenzo blushed, sipping gratefully as he mumbled, “Mmmm. I’ll try to remember next time.”
Snod violently plated the eggs, imaging jabbing Lorenzo in the eye with the spatula while Frankie
giggled softly. No doubt he was seeing Snod’s thoughts. He scowled, growling softly, “It’s not funny.”
“It’s a little funny,” Frankie teased, passing the plates around with a big smile.
Athaliah took his to the couch to sit beside Lorenzo, munching contently as he said, “Mmm, so good. I
definitely missed your cooking.”
“Yeah, in another life you should have been a freakin’ chef,” Lorenzo agreed, inching a little closer to
Athaliah and the two of them sharing a shy smile.
Snod would not allow the flattery to deter his disapproval, dryly remarking, “Don’t you have
somewhere else to be? A hole to crawl back into?”
“Nope,” Lorenzo replied cheerfully. “I don’t have any plans at all.” He looked hopefully at Athaliah,
offering, “I was kind of thinking maybe I could show you around the city, take you out to that diner I
told you about. Not like on a date, I mean, unless you want it to be a date and your brother doesn’t
murder me—”
“Awww, you’re so sweet,” Athaliah purred, petting Lorenzo’s hair, “but I can’t. Obie’s gonna help me
find a job today!”
“I am?” Snod blinked before nodding quickly, affirming, “Yes, I am. And we need to leave. Now.”
“Really?” Lorenzo pouted.
“Sorry,” Snod drawled. “I did promise Rees that I’d be in early.”
Frankie rolled his eyes, knowing full well Snod was doing all of this to keep the two of them apart.
Snod smirked, kissing Frankie sweetly as he said, “Mmm. Gotta get ready. Don’t wanna be late.”
Frankie cleaned up the kitchen while Snod and Athaliah got dressed. Lorenzo stretched back out on
the couch, still attempting to recover from the toll of last evening’s alcohol consumption.
Before they left, Snod swept Frankie off his feet and into a passionate kiss, purring, “I love you.”
Frankie laughed at the display, grinning wide as he replied, “I love you, too.”
They didn’t need any other words, able to feel the warmth and adoration pulsing between each other,
the pull of the blood so strong now. It was easy to get drawn in, Snod pouting when Frankie gently
pushed him away.
“Go,” Frankie teased, “before you start something you can’t finish.” He glanced at Athaliah, who was
