“I’m fine,” I say.
Stan bumps my shoulder with his. “Y’know, you sleep cute.”
I can’t help the small huff when I take another bite.
We stand at the end of the buffet table, plates loaded, eating without moving to the main tables. It feels oddly private, even though there are people everywhere.
Stan shovels a spoonful of rice into his mouth and talks around it. “So while you were taking your cute mini coma, I went to visit Darius.”
I blink heavy. Guess I’m still groggy. “You what?”
“Checked on him,” Stan says. “Idris was worried. And, well, I’m a charmer.”
My stomach tugs hot. I look down at my food. “Right.”
“Relax, Ocean Eyes,” he says, nudging me. “I’m only a good boy for you.”
I choke on some meat. Stan grins wider.
“Only for you.” His hand brushes mine, with enough heat to send a warning shot straight down my spine. “Oh, and maybe Em! She’s smokin’ hot. I’d love to fog up those glasses of hers.”
I murmur around another bite, “You flirt with everyone.”
“Not like I flirt with you.”
My hand grips around the fork. I stab another piece of meat. Harder than necessary.
Stan goes on. “Anyway, I walked into Darius’ room of doom, and the man is elbows-deep in this…machine.” He forms a vague shape with both hands. “Like a mechanical squid. Tubes everywhere. Bolts the size of my self-worth.”
“What was he doing?”
“Muttering to himself. Fixing things that weren’t broken. Or maybe hewasbreaking things.”
“Did he talk?”
“Oh, he did. But not when I asked him how he was feeling, or if he needed company, or a snack, orme.” Stan waves a hand. “Y’know, typical questions.”
I fight back an eye roll and the envy. “And?”
“He ignored all that,” Stan says. “Looks right at me, with his resting-funeral-director face, and asks me aboutDamon.”
“Hm.” I frown in thought.
Stan nods enthusiastically. “So strange when I’m obviously more captivating. But anyway, I told him Damon has a stick up his ass.”
I huff a laugh, putting down the fork before I choke again.
“My big brother’s a big planner. No lie, Damon has a twenty-five-year plan for his marriage, which ispsychotic.” Stan bites into the bread I didn’t finish. “Darius didn’t wanna talk about anything else. So either Darius has a crush on my brother, or he’s collecting info for murder. Honestly? It’s a coin toss.”
I shake my head, but my mouth twitches up.
Stan leans in, looking proud of himself. “I love it when you smile for me.”
“I’m not.” I force my lips down.
“You were.” He bumps my hip. “So, possible brother-murder aside… Are you jealous I went to see Dreary Adel without you?”
“No.”
