Page 96 of Take You Home

“Since when?” Obie complains.

“Oh, please. You always pay.” Cass smiles at Chester. “So what are you in the mood for?”

“A taco meal with beef would be fantastic,” Chester says. “And if Obie is paying, can we get a round of churros for the table, too?”

“Traitor,” Obie says.

“Nah, we’re getting pavlova,” Cass says evasively. “So no churros for now.”

Desi perks up. “Wait, I know! We can get pavlovaandchurros for me and Uncle Kyle! Right, Uncle Kyle?”

“Ooh, another excellent point,” Chester agrees. “You’re so smart, Desi.”

Desi beams. Obie takes a deep breath, feeling like he might need alittlebit of a break from Chester being everything he’s ever wanted. “Listen to Cass, sweetie. No churros for now,” he informs her, and he turns to Cass. “Here, I’ll help with the food‍—I need to stretch my legs. Kyle, you’re good?”

“I‍—‍” Chester looks surprised, but he nods. “Yeah, of course. Go help Cass.”

“Be right back.” Impulsively, Obie leans down, pressing a kiss to the top of Chester’s head.

He quickly turns around and strides away before Chester can react, but that doesn’t prevent Cass from shamelessly staring over his shoulder. “Oh, your boyfriend is blushing at least five shades of red right now,” he says, grinning.“Adorable.”

Obie forces a smile, resisting the urge to peek for himself. “That’s Kyle for you,” he says, and he waits until they’re out of earshot of the rest of the group before adding, “You ready?”

Cass’s grin wavers. “Besides the fact that I feel like I’m about to vomit, yeah. Yeah, I’m ready.”

Obie shoots him a sideways glance as they step onto the line for Tacos Near Me, concern threading through his chest. “From nerves? Or the soul exchange?”

Cass’s jaw tightens. Obie’s heart sinks. “A little bit of both, Ithink,” Cass admits softly. “I’m nervous, obviously, but I’m pretty sure the nausea and insomnia are more from the soul exchange than the anticipation.”

Obie fights back a wince. “And JJ?”

“He’s worse than I am. Better at hiding it, though.” He shakes his head. “Don’t worry. We’re handling it.”

“That’s a nice sentiment,” Obie says, “but unfortunately for you, you’re my friend. That means Iwantto worry about you.”

Cass’s lips twitch. “Well, then, you can start worrying about me tomorrow. Tonight is reserved for celebrationsonly.”

“I’ll take that compromise,” Obie concedes, trying to ignore the guilt twisting through his stomach. Lately, he’s been so laser-focused on dismantling the Sanctum‍—and daydreaming about his spellbound hunter‍—that he hasn’t spent much time studying the soul exchange. Granted, Cass neveraskedObie to do any research, but‍?—

But he shouldn’t have needed to ask. Taking down the Sanctum is important, but Obie’s friends take priority.

The family ahead of them on line wanders off with their freshly secured burritos, and Esteban beams as Obie and Cass approach the counter. “Caballeros, es un placer! Are you ready to pop the question, Cassius?”

This time, Cass’s smile only looks a little bit forced. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” he says, handing over the piece of paper with everyone’s favorite meals. “Here. We have a big order tonight, so we figured Lucia would appreciate having a list.”

“Oh, my friend, I could kiss you for this,” Esteban says, expertly ringing up their total; Obie magnanimously hands over his credit card. “Lucia! Clear the kitchen for the young lovers’ order.”

Immediately, Lucia pokes her head into the window. Her eyes narrow reproachfully at Obie. “You’re not JJ.”

“It’s frankly disturbing how easily you can all tell,” Obie says. “Glamours do exist for a reason, you know.”

“Try harder, then,” she says, disappearing into the depths of the food truck with her list.

Cass shakes his head in amusement, focusing back on Esteban. “Speaking of young lovers, how are things going between you and Falafel Nick?”

Esteban’s face turns a particular shade of crimson that Obie is accustomed to seeing whenever Nick is mentioned. “Nicholas and I arenotdating, Cassius. We’re just friends.”

“Oh, please,” Obie says. “He wants to climb you like a tree, and the entire Courtyard knows it. Probably most of Lakeside, too.”