Neo’s jaw is swinging wide. Ansel leans back into me, watching his friend with an amused grin.
“Is this…” Neo starts before changing his mind. “Are you, like…staff?”
Jules chuckles. “I’m the chef, yes. Technically, I work in Matthiasand Wyatt’s household, but I’m here this week while Wylder’s chef is on vacation.”
Neo blinks a few times. “The family has multiple chefs?”
“Well, we don’t all live together,” I say, taking a bite from the apple and speaking around it. “Ansel and I are just staying here temporarily.”
Neo doesn’t respond to me, just addresses Ansel directly. “And you have somewhere you live already.”
It’s not a question. Ansel shifts uncomfortably. “Yeah, but I’m happy here for now.”
I pause, the apple halfway to my mouth. For now? What’s that supposed to mean?
That’s when it hits me. We haven’t discussed the future. Ansel and I have been so caught up in the here and now that we haven’t talked about it. Sure, we’ve been calling each other boyfriend, but that’s about it.
Appetite gone, I chuck the apple in the trash. “Ansel’s very happy here. With me.”
Neo snorts. “Sure. Because you two have so much in common.”
“We do,” Ansel protests. That’s when Dotty chooses to wander in, cloth in one hand and disinfectant in the other.
“Please,” Neo scoffs, waving a hand at her and Jules. “You’re used to living off ramen, which we cook on a hot plate. Meanwhile, his lordship over here apparently has a whole team of staff at his beck and call. But sure. Tell me again how you have so much in common.”
Ansel’s shoulders pull in, and red flashes across my vision. “Back off, Neo. If you just came here to give Ansel a hard time, then you know where the door is. Use it before I throw you through it.”
“Cade.” Ansel’s hand cups my face. “It’s fine. Neo’s protective over me, that’s all.”
I grunt, not taking my gaze off Neo, who’s watching us closely.
Ansel tugs on my neck until my lips meet his. He kisses me sweetly before pulling back and resting his forehead against mine. “I want the two of you to be friends. Please? That would make me so incredibly happy.”
I’m still pissed, but there’s no way I can say no to Ansel. “Fine. I’ll play nice.”
Neo snorts. “I’m not making any promises. I don’t like playing games, and I don’t like being nice.”
Ansel arches an eyebrow and glares at his friend. “Don’t make me bring up New Orleans.”
The blood drains from Neo’s face. “You wouldn’t.”
“Oh, I would,” Ansel threatens, twisting to face him. His hands go to his hips, and my heart swells at how fast he is to defend me. “You be nice to Cade or I’ll be telling everyone what you did.”
“That’s not good friend behavior. After all I’ve done for you.”
“And you’re being rude. In my boyfriend’s house. Or his brother’s house, but still. His family’s house.”
“Whatever,” Neo mutters, slumping down on his stool. “I’ll behave.”
“Good.” Ansel nods, sliding onto the seat beside him. “Now, eat your pancakes before you offend Jules.”
“Not pancakes! Crepes!” Jules calls happily from the kitchen.
Ansel grins at me, and I stroke my hand through his hair.
Suddenly, Wylder strolls into the kitchen and frowns at me. “Cade, what the fuck are you doing here. Aren’t you supposed to be somewhere right now?”
Oh. Right. My job. Fuck’s sake.
