Page 7

Nothing.

He comes to with Tsuki half-under the cubicle door, licking his hand, while Luca shakes the door.

“Nix! Fuck. NIX!”

“I’m good, just gimme a minute.”

He must have been out for a few minutes if Luca was already in a panic.

“Out, Tsuki. Back it up, back it up.”

Tsuki crawls out as Nix gets the door open.

In the next instant, he’s got an armful of Luca Wilde and a nose in hisneck, his mate’s frightened mocha scent filling the small space.

“You didn’t text and didn’t come out. You were taking forever, then that nice older lady said maybe I should check on you and I could see you on the ground under the door! What happened?”

He’s running his hands over Nix’s hair and back, even going so far as to pry his mouth open.

“Quit that. I’m not a horse. Ugh…the baby doesn’t like brownies, I think.”

It’s sacrilege, because who doesn’t like brownies?

Nix grimaces at the taste of acidic chocolate still in his mouth and heads toward the sink to rinse, trying to avoid meeting Luca’s eyes on the way.

“The baby doesn’t like brownies? What…oh. Damn. You’re morning-sick? But it’s mid-afternoon.”

Nix finally turns the tap on and cups his hands under the faucet, using the water he collects to rinse his face and mouth.

“I guess so. It can happen at any time of the day, though.”

At Luca’s suspicious glare, Nix might feel a bit guilty.

“How long? No.” He holds up a hand. “If you aren’t going to be truthful right now… I’m going to be pissed.”

“Fine. A few weeks. I’m managing. It’s trial-and-error…wait… what are you doing—Luca!”

But it’s too late, the traitor.

“Artem, could you pick us up? That would be great. We’ll see you outside, thanks.”

Luca hands him a few paper towels after he’s hung up the phone, then pulls a mint out of his bag while texting single-handedly.

Less than ten seconds later, Nix’s phone dings and then it’s ringing.

Luca just smiles smugly. “You better answer that.”

“You aren’t my favorite right now,” Nix whispers as he sticks out his tongue, only to have Luca place the mint on it before he can pull it back in.

He answers with a jovial, “Jamie!”

“Luca told us that you’re puking in the cafe, Nix.”

There are some low voices in the background, and then the slamming of a car door.

“Us?”

Of course, the ding had been the group chat.