Page 98 of A Quick Buck

Mickey made a face that mimicked Noah’s own discomfort.

This was weird as hell.

“Sir,” Noah began tentatively, “should I go… help Frida?”

Alistair raised a brow. “Are you sure?” He glanced at his watch. “It’s quite early.”

“Yeah, uh, I just…” Noah didn’t know how to explain how uncomfortable he was, and he could feel both Mickey and Roger staring at him intently.

“Go on.” Alistair shifted forward and kissed Noah’s forehead. “I’m sure Frida can find something for you to do.” He smiled.

Noah smiled back. He was glad Alistair seemed to understand without asking for any details. He would be sure to tell him later when they didn’t have such a big and allegedly murderous audience.

“Thank you.” Noah’s smile grew as he stood. “Sir.”

Alistair took Noah’s hand, kissing it lightly as he warned, “Behave yourself.”

“Of course, sir.”

“Crybaby? If you’d be so kind as to go with him.”

“Of course, Mr. Star.” She bowed her head and fell into step behind Noah as he headed to the kitchen.

Noah was instantly relieved. Although he was admittedly going to miss Alistair, no matter how brief the separation, he was grateful he only had Crybaby to contend with.

Better than Junior, who was certainly in an awful mood still, or any of those other nut cases—

“Well, if she’s going, I’m going!” Roger announced as he hopped out of Mickey’s lap.

Damn it!

Chapter 14

“Have fun,” Mickey drawled. “Try not to fuck anything.”

“I make no promises that I can’t keep!” Roger called out over his shoulder, laughing as he caught back up with them.

“You’re a menace,” Crybaby said affectionately.

“Damn right, I am.” Roger sighed dreamily. “And I’m gonna be a married menace.”

In the kitchen, Frida was tidying up the counters. She blinked as Noah and the others came in, stammering, “Uh, uh, wh-what are you doing in here?”

“I’m here to help with dinner. Several hours too early.” Noah sidled up beside her, awkwardly close, and he mumbled under his breath, “Please help me.”

Frida glanced between Noah and Crybaby, and her eyes widened when she saw Roger there too. She nodded, seeming to understand Noah’s predicament. “I, I guess we can… well… We can start the sauce for the pasta.”

“Pasta sauce! I’m all over it!” Noah clapped. “What do I do?”

Roger hopped up on the counter beside the fridge. “Damn. Nice ass kitchen. It’s, like, the size of that damn storage unit I used to crash at.”

Frida wordlessly gathered ingredients out of the fridge, cringing when Roger looked her way. She almost dropped the fresh vegetables in her arms as she hurried back to rejoin Noah.

“Right?” Crybaby snorted. “It’s a pretty nice place.”

“Thanks,” Noah muttered.

“Like it’s yours.”