Page 83 of Necessary Space

Miles reached over and patted my leg, then he pulled into a spot and put the car into park.

“We’re here,” he announced, cutting the ignition and taking out the keys. “Who’s ready for lunch?”

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

Miles

The floral was alwaysa bit much on first sight, but Marzena had me in her arms so quickly, I barely had time to make sure Hendrix had made it through the door beside me.

“My precious boy.” Marzena clasped my face in her hands, turning my head from side to side to air-kiss me.

I laughed, swatting her hands away and returning the gesture.

“You act like it’s been years since I’ve been here,” I said, knowing it had been much longer than normal between visits.

But I’d been busy.

With Hendrix.

“It feels like years.” She patted my chest, then peered over my shoulder, eyes flickering from Hendrix to Wesley before landing on Grayson. “Have you been keeping him away?”

“Marzena.” Grayson pressed a hand against his chest, feigning offense. “As if I could overpower him.”

“Actually…”

Grayson jerked his thumb toward Hendrix. “This one here’s the culprit.”

“Pardon?” Hendrix’s eyes had gone wide, taking in Marzena and no doubt the restaurant itself.

“My Miles here used to come in at least once a week.” Marzena slid her arm around my waist and started walking toward the booth near the kitchen that had unofficially become mine. “But I’ve barely seen him in the past couple months.”

“It hasn’t been that long,” I assured her, sliding into the booth. Hendrix moved to follow and she stopped him, one strong and calloused hand around his wrist. He turned, still uncertain of who she was and what was going on. I could have answered all of his questions, but I didn’t want to ruin Marzena's fun, on account of my prolonged absences and all that. Letting her put on her dramatic little show was the least I could do.

“Miles, is this a boyfriend?” she asked

“Indeed he is,” I confirmed. Grayson snuck behind her, pulling Wesley after him into the booth.

“He looks more like a man than a boy.”

Hendrix made a noise in the back of his throat.

“He’s plenty man enough, Marzena.” I reached around her and pulled Hendrix out of her grip, tugging him down beside me in the booth and kissing the shell of his ear, whispering. “Aren’t you?”

“What’s happening?” he managed to ask.

Grayson laughed, and Wesley even looked entertained at his brother’s discomfort.

“You wanted to go to my favorite restaurant,” I reminded him. “Here we are.”

“Flatterer.” She made a pleased sound.

“Can we have some waters?” I asked her sweetly. “And Wesley is gonna need a menu.”

“Which one is he?”

I pointed across the table to Wes.

“I’m not leaving this table until you tell me your boyfriend’s name,” she warned. “Your man friend.”