Page 37 of Pretty Poison

“Easy there, big guy,” Felix said. “You can’t let decades of suppressed joy out all at once. You might strain something.”

“And Avery had plans for it,” Rocky added.

Jonah’s broad shoulders continued to shake for a few more minutes before he reined himself in. “I love you two assholes.”

Felix and Rocky made cooing noises and reciprocated their affection when Renee stopped by to take their orders.

“Should I come back?” she asked.

“Nah, we know what we want to eat,” Felix said. He rattled off what he wanted, then Jonah placed his order.

Renee smiled at Rocky. “And for you?” she asked.

“I’m just having coffee this morning.”

“Okay,” she said. “Your food will be out shortly.”

Once they were alone again, Felix quirked a brow. “No appetite?”

“Skipping meals isn’t like you,” Jonah added.

“I had breakfast already,” Rocky said.

“Mighty early for you to be so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed,” Felix said. “Perhaps it has something to do with your houseguest.”

“Shut up, Fee.”

“So, when do I get to meet your deputy marshal?” Jonah asked.

“He’s notmydeputy marshal.”

“Fine,” Jonah said. “When do I get to meet your husband?”

“I’m not sure there’d be a point in introducing the two of you,” Rocky said. “We’re getting a divorce.”

Jonah shrugged. “I still want to meet him.”

“As a professional courtesy, if nothing else,” Felix added. “They’re both in law enforcement, and Jonah could be of benefit to Asher someday.”

Asher would be fascinated by Stella, the supercomputer sleuth Jonah created. Still, introducing the two men would be another thread tying Rocky and Asher together. “Maybe.” It was all he was willing to give them right now.

“Fair enough,” Jonah replied.

Tired of talking about himself, Rocky decided to steer the conversation in a more palatable direction. “Speaking of beneficial, I absolutely love the software Avery developed for us to beta test.”

Jonah laughed and Felix smirked, telling him that his transition wasn’t as smooth as he’d planned. Neither of them tried to veer back to discussing Asher, though, so Rocky viewed it as a win.

“I’ll be sure to tell him,” Jonah said. “His internship is coming to an end soon, and he’s decided not to pursue a career with the GBI.”

“Really?” Felix and Rocky asked at the same time.

“Avery seems to enjoy working there,” Rocky added.

“He does, and I love working with him too. We just worry it’s not healthy for our relationship in the long run, not to mention unethical since I plan to make him my husband someday.”

Rocky couldn’t wait to share that day with them. “What would Avery like to do?” he asked. “I’d think his skill set would be in high demand.”

Jonah nodded. “Neither of us is worried about him finding a job, but I’d hate to see him use his talent to make someone else a fortune instead of himself.”