Page 82 of The Vampire and the Barista

Jamie nodded and left them to it, pulling out his phone and messaging Thomaz.

“We have you,” Gio says softly.

Jack sighs. “Sorry, I was just having a moment.”

“You’re allowed to have them, Jack,” Seth told him. “Why hide?”

“I don’t want to have them around Spencer; he’s struggling enough as it is.”

“It’s all so fresh, Jack. You’re bound to have moments. Are you sure we can’t get a professional therapist in to help you both?” Gio asks softly.

Jack shakes his head. “No, but I reserve the right to change my mind.”

“You can always change your mind.”

“I know, thanks. Sorry you got pulled away from your work.”

“Like either of us care about that,” Seth replied, “We can spend all the time you need with you. Plus, we can tell you about our holiday plans.”

Jack looked between the two. “Holiday?”

Gio nods. “Yep, Seth and I were planning to go travelling for a few weeks before all this happened. Now that we have you, you can come with us.”

Jack smiled. “For real?”

Seth nods. “Yep, for real.”

“You two are the best, thank you. I’m not sure what I’ll need for a holiday, though.”

“Leave that with us, we’ll make sure we all have everything we need,” Seth reassured him.

“Plus, my parents are letting us use the royal plane,” Gio whispered as if it was a secret.

Jack grinned. “I’ve never been on a plane, and my first time is in a royal one. Nice. Jamie said, David and Stefan are coming back today, Spencer will like that.”

“David messaged me just before I came out here. I think they are all fed up with being at the council building.”

“And that’s why I’m glad to be the second son, as that responsibility will be all David’s when father steps down,” Gio said, grinning.

“Sorry to interrupt, Jamie sent me a message asking me to bring you all refreshments,” Thomaz said, walking closer, carrying a tray filled with food and drinks. “The biscuits are lemon and ginger, there are strawberry shortbread and different flavour cupcakes.” Thomaz put the try down in front of them and looked at Jack in concern. “I can get ice cream if you’d rather?”

“Not for me, thanks, this all looks amazing,” Jack replied, smiling at the vampire.

“Yeah, it does. Thanks, Thomaz,” Gio said.

Seth grinned at him.

“Don’t say it,” Thomaz warned.

“Say what, Tom Tom?”

Jack and Gio burst out laughing.

Thomaz scowled. “That. Just for that, I’m taking the tray away.”

“But I’m sad,” Jack put in quickly.

Thomaz sighed. “Fine, the tray stays, but Seth doesn’t get any of the lovely goodies.”

“Now I’m sad,” Seth said, trying for a forlorn tone and look.

“Tough,” Thomaz replied, standing up. “Just so you know, Seth, Annie will hear about this.”

“Hey now, that’s not nice,” Seth complained.

“Too bad, how sad, never mind,” Thomaz said, walking away whistling to himself.

“I love your family, my Seth.”

Seth touched Gio’s hand. “Your family as well remember.”

Gio nods. “I know. Still weird though.”

“Why weird?” Jack asked, holding a plate of biscuits out to them.

They each took one.

“As we munch on these, we can tell you about a one-night stand, a mad witch, and a forty-year curse,” Gio said.