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Jacob hummed and Jesse received the look. The look that he knew well. They would be discussing this later.

“We’ll be throwing a housewarming party in a few weeks once we get past the six-week mark for Dom’s surgery,” Remi told him.

“It’s good to see him tonight,” Jesse said sincerely. “I hired a new cleaning team that disinfects the club every night.” Learning that Dom would be on anti-rejection meds for the rest of his life and would never have an immune system opened Jesse’s eyes to what more he could do for his members.

“You are a good man,” Remi told him. “And thanks again for all the meal deliveries that first couple of weeks.”

“You don’t have to thank me again,” Jesse replied. “I was happy to do it.” He had money. It was the least he could do.

Dane grunted. “Yes, we do. It was a stressful and scary time. And all the times you picked up Annabelle from daycare and watched her. It meant a lot to all of us and didn’t go unnoticed.”

Jesse nodded. He hated getting recognition for just being a friend. If he wasn’t a millionaire, no one would blink at asking him for a favor.

“What my brother means to say is you’re welcome,” Jacob said.

Jesse glared at his twin again.

Remi laughed. “Well, we appreciate it. And let me make this clear—”

Jesse straightened.

“You will be at our housewarming party,” Remi stated. “No excuses.”

Jesse pressed his lips together. He did not like being told what to do.

Dane grasped Remi’s shoulder. “It’s important.”

Remi nodded. “And Lake asked specifically if we invited you.”

“I’ll be there,” Jesse vowed. Not only would he do anything to spend any time with Lake but if Jesse didn’t show, he’d probably never hear the end of it from Dom. Dom was a lot scarier than his Daddy or any of the other Daddies in their group.

“Good.” Remi started to stand. “We need to get to the playroom before our boys end up finding trouble. You’re always welcome to come sit with us.”

Jesse nodded. He wouldn’t, though. When Jesse was around, Lake didn't relax as much as he should. Although Jesse might peek in later if he could get rid of his brother.

“We’ll talk to you soon,” Dane said.

Jacob waited until the two Daddies disappeared down the hall leading to the playroom before he spoke. “Why are you holding off getting what you want? I thought you would either be over this crush or had moved on by now.”

“It’s not a crush,” Jesse replied hotly.

“I can see that,” Jacob agreed. “So, tell me why.”

“You know why,” Jesse responded. He didn't want to talk about this. Jesse received enough advice and shit-talking from Eric, Dom, Remi, and Dane when it came to Lake. And that was daily. He spoke to one of them at least once a day, even if it was just text messages checking in.

Surprisingly Jesse had made some real friends there.

However, in every conversation, Lake’s name was usually mentioned. Normally it was just an update on what was going on with Lake and Jesse appreciated those, but Dom especially could be kind of mean.

“There are only two ways the interactions with people usually go. They usually want something from you, mostly money or for you to use your connections to help them out, or they want nothing to do with you,” Jacob said softly.

“Yeah, and Lake is visibly uncomfortable around me,” Jesse shared.

“It seems you have a good group of friends in your corner.”

“I do. But I am technically Lake’s boss. At a kink club! I must abide by his wishes. I need his consent,” Jesse said firmly. He was tired of talking about this.

“I just think—”