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The server returned with coffee and a plate of pastries. Fiona immediately pushed the plate toward Ethan. “Eat something. You look like you’ve been surviving on caffeine.”
“I’ve been eating,” Ethan protested.
“Rook, is he eating?”
Rook considered lying, then decided honesty served him better. “He forgets meals when he’s focused on research.”
“I knew it!” Fiona pointed at Ethan. “This is why you need someone looking after you.”
Ethan’s face flushed again. Through their bond, Rook felt embarrassment mixed with affection and amusement. “I’m perfectly capable of…”
“Of ignoring basic human needs in favor of spreadsheets. Yes. I’ve worked with you for two years. I know.” Fiona turned back to Rook. “So what’s your dating history like? Are you seeing anyone else, or is this exclusive?”
“Fiona!”
“What? It’s a reasonable question.”
Rook’s shadows were attempting to play with Ethan’s hair. It was like wrestling snakes, trying to keep them contained. “Ethan’s my first and only relationship.”
Fiona’s expression shifted to delight. “Oh, my gods. That’s adorable.”
“It’s factual,” Rook said, hoping that was okay – Julian and Ethan used words like that all the time.
“Wait.” Fiona leaned forward conspiratorially, lowering her voice. “Is he good at the boyfriend stuff? Do I need to give him pointers?”
Ethan made a strangled sound, and his embarrassment flooded their bond so strongly that Rook nearly laughed.
“He’s extremely competent in all relevant areas,” Ethan said, his voice prim.
Fiona burst out laughing, nearly spitting out her latte. “Oh, my gods. ‘Extremely competent.’ That’s the most Ethan thing you’ve ever said, I’m sure.”
Rook’s shadows were vibrating with delight at making Ethan blush. One tendril snaked up Ethan’s neck to play with his hair before Rook grabbed it.
Fiona’s eyes tracked the movement - just for a second - before she looked away. She’d seen something. Not enough to process, but enough to register as odd.
“So what do you do when you’re not consulting?” Fiona asked, her tone casual but her gaze assessing.
“Rook bakes a lot,” Ethan offered. “He made cinnamon rolls last week that were better than anything I’ve had at a bakery.”
“Really?” Fiona perked up. “What else do you make?”
Rook relaxed slightly. Baking, he could discuss. “Focaccia. Sourdough. I’ve been experimenting with laminated dough.”
“Like croissants?”
“Exactly like croissants.”
“Okay, I’m officially jealous.” Fiona looked at Ethan. “You got the hot guy who bakes and does private security? That’s unfair.”
Ethan’s smile was small but genuine. “I’m aware of my good fortune.”
The conversation drifted to lighter topics - Fiona’s terrible dating history involving a man who collected toenail clippings, Ethan’s worse dating history involving that horrible someone who systematically hurt him for eight months, which made Rook’s shadows go absolutely still with rage until Ethan squeezed his hand under the table. Rook was going to get that name one day, and when he did…
“What about you?” Fiona asked Rook. “Any terrible exes?”
“No exes,” Rook said. “Ethan is…” he caught himself before saying “my mate.” “…the first person I’ve wanted to date.”
Fiona’s expression softened. “That’s really sweet.”
