Wonder what would’ve happened if I hadn’t ignited that spark between those two.
Would I have lost Dex? Or would the three of us have kept on hanging out while they just continued to settle for being friends?
Completely absorbed in my own thoughts, I was surprised to hear Dex speak again, and even more surprised by the tenderness in his voice. “I’m pretty sure it’s just the fact that she felt it when she heard me sing, though. I really poured my heart out into that song, believe it or not. The cheesiest, most fucking romantic thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
A silence fell upon the three of us, and I don’t know if Nero was thinking about the same thing as Dex and I were.
Cosette.
“She felt what? Love? Just because of a song?” Nero asked, trying to break through the sudden quiet in the stuffy air of the basement.
Dex turned his head so I couldn’t see what he looked like when he faced Nero, but I saw the smugness and malice leave Nero’s eyes as he looked at Dex.
“My genuineness.”
9
COSETTE
When I went down the lit stairs to the basement where the boys were waiting, I saw the three of them on the couch. A sense of nervousness unexpectedly washed over me, even though I had no idea why.
The atmosphere and silence were thick.
“Is… everything okay?” I asked cautiously, with Siege being the one to snap out of it first, holding his hand out for me.
As I approached him, I let him take my hand, feeling the warmth of his touch as he pulled me onto his lap. “Dinner’s ready. I had help from the chef. There reallyisa chef in this place,” I said, the corner of my lips turned downwards, and my voice reflected my earlier skepticism.
I knew Siege and Dex didn’t have to lie about their private chef being real, but he had never appeared before me in the flesh before, so I still had my reservations about his existence.
“Kevin?” Dex asked, and I furrowed my brows in confusion.
“No, he said his name’s Clint.”
“Ah.”
‘Ah’? What does he mean, ‘ah’?
“Did he lie to me about his name?” I asked, my curiosity yet again being piqued.
“Nope. You just met the other one,” he said so casually that I was starting to think he’s just joking.
“You’re fucking lying. You don’t havetwoprivate chefs,” Nero spoke for me, and I gave him a thumbs up because his words perfectly captured my thoughts.
“We don’t,” Dex said, a smirk creeping up on his face.
“We have three,” Siege added in, and I made a weird face at him.
“Okay. I definitely don’t believe you now.” Rolling my eyes at the ridiculous agenda they’re pushing, I grabbed Dex’s hand and stood up, tugging him with me. “Come on, you guys. Stop messing with my mind and let’s eat dinner. Or the food will get cold.”
“I told you,little vixen. They’re on rotation. It’s not like all three are working for us at the same time,” Siege continued, but I was still shaking my head, unable to believe him.
By now, we’ve all finished eating, and we’re all leaning back in our chairs around the table just hanging out, our plates clear. Me and Dex were on one side, and Siege and Nero on the other. The food was so delicious that I ate until I was stuffed, then slumped into a food coma, unable to move.
“That is still excessive. What is wrong with rich people? How are you going to survive at uni?”
I knew I was exaggerating and being dramatic. Hell, they’ve been able to whip up superb meals the past few weeks, and they put my cooking to shame. I suppose I just had an uncontrollable desire to playfully poke fun at their lavish lifestyle. How the twoof them are not stuck-up douchebags is beyond me. They may very well be, though I haven’t realized it as of yet.
“Want me to get you dessert?” Dex asked, to which I was vehemently shaking my head. “God, please no. I’m so full.”
