“Good,” he says fiercely. “Because that would be slander.”
I kiss his forehead before he leaves my arms.
“Also, Xaden insists I wasn’t an agent,” he says.
He glares at Xaden.
“Sweetheart,” I say carefully, “what makes you think you were an agent?”
“It’s self-explanatory, really,” he argues, marching back to his sauce. “We brought them food. During the operation. In the middle of our date.”
He stirs the pot like he’s seasoning it with self-pity.
“That’s called operational support.”
“That’s called a food delivery,” Xaden replies with a smirk.
I shoot him a warning look.
Antonio has been through enough today. If he has it in his head that he’s an agent, then he can damn well be one.
Xaden catches my drift and gives me a dry, amused smile.
“Fine. You were an undercover nourishment consultant,” he tells Antonio.
“Undercover nourishment consultant special agent,” Antonio corrects without missing a beat.
“We thank you for your service,” Xaden says mock-solemnly. “Without the spaghetti, the bad guys would still be walking free.”
Antonio bursts into laughter.
“I was messing with you,” he says.
“Tonio was being silly,” Noah informs us.
We sit down to eat.
“Stone, do you happen to know why Noah’s carrying around an Easter egg ring?” Xaden asks, sounding very matter-of-fact.
Cole sighs. I can see him bumping Xaden’s knee under the table.
Antonio blushes.
Noah replies to Xaden himself.
“Because I’m Caspian’s ring bear,” he says, sounding very proud.
Okay. I will not cry in front of Bailey.
Even if that was the most adorable thing Noah has ever said.
“You’re the best ring bear,” I confirm.
To be honest, I don’t care that my dream to marry Antonio is being discussed publicly. It’s basically manifesting. Xaden’s doing me a favor.
Right after his last forkful of pasta, Noah announces he’s not tired at all. That means Cole has approximately five minutes to get him ready for his nap before all hell breaks loose.
In the car, Antonio is quiet.
