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Dean snorts, shaking his head in amusement. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

After that, I make sure to blow on every bite before I take it into my mouth. As we eat, we enjoy a bit of small talk.

“How did you two meet? You seem like you’ve been together for a long time,” Dean asks softly, sitting back in his seat with his glass of wine in hand.

“We’ve been together since kindergarten,” I say proudly.

“Childhood sweethearts? Wow, that’s incredible.”

“That’s not what he means,” Kassian says right away, jumping in. I look over to see his cheeks bright red. “We’re not together. Not in the way you’re thinking.”

Dean tilts his head to the side. “Really? I’m sorry for assuming. You just seem-” his voice trails off. “So, kindergarten, huh?”

My stomach sours at Kassian’s words. Why did he have to tell Dean so quickly that we’re not together? Why did Dean assume we were? Why does it make me so happy to think about someone thinking we’re dating?

Gods, my emotions are all mixed up inside of me and this wine really isn’t helping me keep everything straight.

“We’ve been best friends since we were little. The very first day of school, the teacher thought we were the same person.”

“Really? But you’re so different.”

Kassian chuckles softly. He looks at me, nodding for me to explain.

“We used to have similar names. The teacher kept asking for Kas and we would both answer. Since then, we’ve been inseparable.”

Dean watches us, a small smile playing at his lips. “Nix suits you,” he says. Then he adds, “that’s a really cute story. It must have been nice to have someone beside you all these years.”

“It has been,” Kassian says softly. I feel his hand touch the side of my leg, like he was going to reach out and touch me properly but decided against it at the last minute. I look down, seeing his hands clenched in his lap.

“The bond we share is something special,” I declare proudly. “Bros for life.”

“Bros for life,” Kassian repeats with a little smile.

“For life indeed,” Dean says, “it’s incredible, how even your powers complement each other. It’s like you were meant to be in each other’s lives.”

“It does feel that way,” I say with a nod. “For as long as I can remember, it’s always been Kassian and Nix. Now that we work for the National Magical Education Department we’re even more reliant on each other. Our magical abilities play off each other super well.”

“What about you?” Kassian asks. “Do you have someone in your life?”

Something sad passes over Dean’s features. He takes a sip of his wine before setting the glass down.

“You’re right, I did not create Hazel all on my own,” Dean says with a chuckle that’s more sad than it should be. “Hazel’s mother’s name was Helen. She was my best friend. We were never together, in the way most parents are. We were just best friends who wanted to co-parent together but she passed away giving birth to Hazel.”

“Oh,” Kassian murmurs. “I’m really sorry to hear that.”

“Thanks,” Dean says with a little nod. “It was a long time ago. I’m okay.”

“So there’s no one special in your life?”

Dean tilts his head. “I have Hazel. She’s quite special.”

“Dean,” Kassian says with a frown.

“Sorry, I’m teasing you. I know what you’re asking and no, there’s no one special in my life. In all honesty, there’s never been a significant other in my life, other than Helen and like I said, our relationship was strictly platonic.”

“Huh,” I say without thinking, the wine making my tongue looser than usual. “That kind of surprises me, Dean. You’re really handsome and really kind.”

“Thank you, Nix,” he says with a little smile, his cheeks turning a cute pink color. “That’s sweet of you to say.” Then he looks at Kassian. “How about you two? It must be nearly impossible to date while on the road.”