“She was just being nice.”
“I’m Maggie, tee-hee,” Enzo said, his voice going high as he pretended to brush hair behind his ear. “As if that would work.”
“You’re so catty. You’re not a nerd in a hot body, you're a mean girl in a hot body.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that?” Enzo muttered as he padded barefoot into the kitchen.
Seven took in his black athletic shorts that revealed thick thighs and well-muscled calves and a white t-shirt that fit him like he’d had it tailored to his body. Knowing Enzo, he probably had.
Enzo grabbed two forks, then Seven’s hand, all but dragging him back upstairs to the bedroom with their rations. Once they were sitting side-by-side on the king-size bed, Enzo grabbed the remote.
“What do you want to watch?” he asked. “Should we find a show?”
Seven was too busy opening the plastic container filled to the brim with pasta to give Enzo his full attention. He immediately stabbed a tortellini then popped it into his mouth, moaning in ecstasy. “I should just marry your mom.”
“Well, she’s already married and they’re my Nona’s recipes. And if you want to marry her, you’re gonna need a ouija board or a necromancer ‘cause she went and died on us years ago.”
Seven sighed like he was put upon. “I suppose you’ll do.”
Enzo glowered at him. “If you don’t tell me what you want to watch, I’m just gonna put on whatever I want.”
“Like what? The Barbie movie?” Seven teased.
Seven sucked in a breath as Enzo’s hand suddenly gripped his jaw, turning his face towards him sharply, his voice dropping an octave to say, “I’m not sure I like your tone.”
Seven stuck his tongue out at him because he was too busy trying not to pop a boner in Enzo’s very loose boxer shorts.
“Behave,” Enzo growled.
Seven’s insides shivered, a heated pulse of want blooming in his core. “Sorry, Daddy,” he managed.
Enzo leaned in, sweeping his tongue along Seven’s bottom lip. “Good boy.” Seven sat frozen, Enzo’s fingers burning his skin, until he released him and turned back to the television as if none of that had happened. “Do you want to watch something? I can put on music if you prefer.”
“Put on your favorite movie,” Seven said. “Yourrealfavorite movie, not whatever testosterone-driven action movie you tell people you like.”
Enzo narrowed his eyes at him, examining him closely. “Are you just planning on mocking me the whole time if I do?”
“Depends on the movie,” Seven countered with a saccharine smile.
“Brat,” Enzo muttered under his breath as he toggled to whatever movie he planned to share with Seven.
He had no intention of making fun of him. He’d honestly never felt more comfortable in his life. He stabbed another piece of pasta, bringing it to Enzo’s lips. He opened for Seven without looking, then chewed thoughtfully as he hit play.
Seven grinned as the opening strains of All-Star by Smash Mouth started playing.10 Things I Hate About You.“Thisis your favorite movie?”
“Heath Ledger is hot as fuck in this movie,” Enzo said. “His character’s got…what is it you guys call it? Rizz.”
Seven barked out a laugh, shaking his head. “Easy, grandpa.”
They made it through half the pasta and a shocking amount of the tiramisu before Seven tapped out with a groan, pointing down at his rounded belly until Enzo patted it. Once they’d cleared the containers to the side, Seven dropped a pillow into his lap and gestured to it. Enzo’s eyes widened, but he went easily, lying between Seven’s legs, head propped up just enoughto see the movie. From this angle, Seven could see just how unfairly long his lashes were.
He combed his fingers through Enzo’s now mostly dry hair, his eyes on the movie, but his thoughts on the man beside him. And his mother. Somehow, Enzo had made him forget about all of it. The police station, the arrest, the press… If Seven had been home alone, he would have spent the night spiraling. But Enzo had taken his mind off things without even trying.
Enzo’s voice jerked him from his thoughts. “Whacha thinking about?”
He looked down to find his head craned back to look at him. “You.”
“Me?” Enzo asked, giving him a suspicious look. “Should I be worried?”
