A couple of the people around them even noticed the sudden tension and started whispering.
Nate pressed his palms to his chest and tried to get him to back up, taking in all of the curious looks they were getting. It made him uncomfortable to think of them all watching and making their own presumptuous theories about what was going on. Not to mention, there was the fact Neve was also here…
“We really are dating,” Kaz’s voice was sharp enough to cut through glass, but at least he had the good sense to talk quietly so the words remained just between the two of them. “Don’t make me repeat myself about that again.”
“You said you just wanted to prove Baikal wrong,” Nate reminded, keeping his gaze downcast. If he made things worse, his sister would react and butt in and potentially get hurt in the process. “Since when did that change?”
“Since the morning I woke up to a cold bed and you gone,” he admitted, and it seemed to catch them both momentarily off guard because he was silent for a few seconds after that before adding, “I don’t like that you left me, Nate. I like the idea of you leaving me again even less. Isn’t that what a real relationship looks like?”
“This isn’t what we agreed on, Kaz.” And he honestly didn’t know how to feel about it. Trapped? Scared? A little bit thrilled?
Thrilled?
What the hell was he thinking?
Only an idiot would be thrilled that a Devil of Vitality wanted them.
“I get possessive very quickly,” Kaz told him. “It’s one of the things we frequently talk about in therapy. That’s just how I’m wired. I can pass by the same object every day without taking notice, and all it’ll take is one time for me to really see itfor obsession to bloom. You’re that new object, Narek, whether either of us likes that fact or not.”
Was he saying he didn’t like that he wanted to date him?
“Why is everything with you so complicated?” Nate ran a hand through his hair, but before Kaz could reply, he glanced over and realized with a start it was their turn in line. He pushed at his arm and pointed. “Table this for later.”
“You’re always saying that,” Kazimir snorted but listened, stepping up to the counter. He smiled brightly at the woman standing across from them, and when she blushed, he leaned into the attention. “Hi, can I get four large ferd sodas, two large popcorns, and one of each candy option, please. Oh,” he snapped his fingers, almost making it believable that he’d actually forgotten the next item, “And one yurdog lunch box. Thanks.”
During dinner the other night, Kaz had bugged Nate until he’d caved and agreed to answer questions. He’d expected them to be intrusive and vulgar but had been surprised when they’d geared more toward everyday things like his favorite foods and hobbies. Hell, the guy had even wanted to know his favorite color which…
Nate blinked when he noticed the brown socks peeking out from Kazimir’s black sneakers. After all the fuss over how dumb of a favorite color brown was…He couldn’t actually have worn those for Nate, right? Was it just a coincidence?
He was certain if he asked, the younger guy wouldn’t hesitate to tell him the truth. Kaz couldn’t be trusted not to use manipulation tactics against people, and of course, dishonesty was one of them, but it’d become apparent during their past interactions that Kazimir preferred to be blunt over anything else.
In fact, had he ever outright lied to him before?
Would Nate have even been able to catch him in the act if he had?
“Hey.” Kaz gave him a questioning look and pressed the back of his hand against Nate’s forehead. “Are you feeling all right? You turned pale all of a sudden. You don’t even lose your color like that when we’re hours into—”
Nate brushed his hand away and clicked his tongue in warning. “Stop talking. Some things are meant to stay private.”
“Like how I’d prefer you let me keep you naked?” He sighed when that earned him another glare. “You’ll be happy to know that I’ve returned all of your clothing.”
“About time.”
The girl behind the counter set two trays before them and then started to ask, “Are you two—”
“Yes,” Kazimir swiftly cut her off, picking up one tray to hand over to Nate before taking the other. “Yes, we’re dating.” He turned away without another word, shaking his head as they returned to Neve and Verga. “Seriously. Why doeseveryoneask that?”
“Your reputation proceeds you,” Nate guessed with a shrug. He held the tray out to Neve when she reached for it.
“Thank you for this,” she directed the comment to Kaz. “I’ll buy dinner in return.”
“That’s not necessary,” Kazimir told her.
“No, I insist. I plan on grilling you all about how you managed to convince my brother to actually date someone. We’ll call it compensation for the interrogation to come.” She laughed and then bumped Verga with her elbow excitedly. “It’s about to start! We should hurry.”
The two of them started to the right, but Kazimir noticeably stepped to the left, giving them all pause.
“Where are you going?” Nate had a sinking feeling.
