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Lynn grins. “High school and later college sweethearts, but he obviously wasn’t the one.” She doesn’t tell them why they broke up, and not even Cedric has the nerve to ask.

When our new drinks arrive, the group gets lively again, fortunately. Cedric is growing more confident, as well. “Say,” He beams again. “Mind if I make a reel, Mr. Randell? Of you, casually sitting here? Maybe with Sterling?”

Sterling and I exchange a gaze. “What’s a reel? A video?” Sterling mutters.

“Beats me,” I say. “But it’s for social media.”

“And you think that will get views?” Sterling asks.

“Absolutely,” Cedric is pumped with motivation. “Mr. Randall always sells well. Our viewers love his dignified, calm image. And I bet you, Sterling, will get quite the audience too.” He turns around, gazing at everyone before his eyes land on Noel. “Please help me, Noel. You are the only one who looks capable of doing anything social media-related!”

Noel casts each of us a gaze, then lets out a sigh. “You might be right.”

“Hey, what about me?” Mateo asks, while Cedric and Noel try to navigate Sterling and me into a position, they deem cool enough for their reel. “Do I suck at social media too?”

“You are not as hopeless as the others,” Noel says. “But the bar is low.”

Lynn and I exchange a glance. “I can’t say anything in my defense,” Lynn says shortly. “I barely post anything, ever.”

“Me neither,” I say.

“I only have an Instagram account because I have to,” Sterling says.

“That’s what you have me for now,” Cedric exclaims. “I am going to be the world’s best assistant!”

When Noel shifts me into position, he leans forward slightly. “Is he always that motivated?” he whispers.

“Yes.”

“You truly are a weird combination of boss and assistant,” he mutters. “But I guess I can see it work.”

I smile. “You and I work well, too, after all.”

Noel furrows his brows. “I am nothing like him!”

“I was just teasing you,” I chuckle. “Don’t make it so easy.”

Noel mutters something under his breath, not gracing me with an answer. He is adorable when he is prickly, but I probably shouldn’t tease him too much. Grabbing him by the back of his head, I pull him into a swift kiss. “Here, better?”

“I can’t believe your sly tactics,” Noel mutters.

“Well,” Cedric proclaims. “I don’t think we can use that one for a reel. Noel and Mr. Randall look like they are about to jump each other, and Sterling looks like the third wheel.”

“I don’t see anything wrong with that,” Sterling points out.

“We are not going to have that on our social media,” Lynn intervenes. “My God, guys, focus and take the damn video! It can’t be that hard!”

Her words finally get us all into the right mindset, and a couple of minutes later, the video is done, and Cedric looks happy. “It’s gotten pretty late,” Sterling comments. “I want to get home and work on my newest drawing.”

I nod, grabbing my credit card. “Allow me,” I say.

“We can’t possibly—” Mateo starts with Noel very visibly about to say something too.

“Of course we can,” Sterling interrupts. “We are all broke.”

“I can chip in, too,” Lynn offers.

“You invited me last time,” I say. “It’s my turn anyway.”