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Nathan and I shoot each other a look and laugh as Kiara kneels down at the table in front of the couch and lays out the food, her hand visibly shaking. Nathan seems too interested in the spread to see his sister throw me worried glances every few seconds.
I try to look as reassuring to her as I can. There’s a legitimate reason for her to be here and if she relaxes, there’s no reason for her brother to suspect anything.
"Wow, this looks delicious, thanks, Kiara. It's a good thing Nathan came here for a drink."
"Did he at least bring his own for once?"
Nathan jumps up and grabs the bottle on my desk. "I did, thank you very much. And you shush. Kylian and I go way back. What's a little drink between friends?"
He says it as a joke but it strikes a nerve with both Kiara and I as we settle on opposite ends of the coffee table, as far away from each other as possible.
"You didn't buy any of the ones that I like!" Nathan complains.
"Just shut up and eat," she says, handing her brother a pair of chopsticks. "Ignore him. He can get a bit funny around people because he’s so fucking ugly, he has no idea how to conduct himself in public.
I glance over at my friend who might as well have been a model with chiseled cheekbones and pink heart-shaped lips.
"I see what you mean."
We fall into a silence as we eat with only the occasional request to pass a dish. The food is almost gone before we all put our chopsticks down and speak again.
"That was good, Keeks, thanks. Even if you didn't buy the sushi that I like.”
She holds her hand out. "Give it back then!"
Nathan responds by miming sticking his finger down his throat and Kiara squeals and jumps up. "You're so gross! Do you know you're like thirty years old now? And run a billion dollar company?"
"Excuse me, it's a hundred billion dollar company. Don't devalue me, right, Kylian?"
I hold my hands up in defense. "Yeah, I'm going to stay out of this little sibling squabble; having three brothers has taught me that at least any two of us will be fighting at any given time and the worst thing you can do is get in the middle of it."
Kiara turns to me and scowls. "What's there to get in the middle of? He's an immature ass, and you know it! You've been friends since you were like twelve."
"Well, maybe that's just it. He's the same as he's always been. I can't tell the difference.”
Nathan beams. "Aw, thanks, man."
Kiara rolls her eyes. "I do not think that was meant to be a compliment."
"Of course, it was, Kylian is my biggest fan."
"So he blows smoke up your ass, is what you're saying."
Nathan turns to me and adopts a mock hurt look. "Kylian? Is this true? You worship my ass?"
"Pretty sure that's not what she said. You need your hearing checked, you’re getting old."
"Well, you guys ought to make up your mind. Am I immature or an old man?"
This time Kiara and I respond at the same time, yelling "BOTH!"
Nathan pushes himself to his feet, huffing. "Well, I can see that my presence here isn't appreciated. I'm going back to the office, where everyone is paid to appreciate my presence."
We get to our feet and I reach over to give my best friend a hug, affection swelling in my chest for him. There aren't a lot of people who can keep up with my banter but he does a good job. "Thanks for dropping in, man."
"Well, you seem so lonely. When have you ever even had any company? That isn't a Baxter or a Yin?" He’s joking of course, it’s been a few months, but my parties prove that I would have plenty company if I wanted it.
"Who else is worthy?"
