Cameron withdrew from Lucian and led the way to the kitchen, and he held up the curtain for Daddy as he made his way in there.
Go figure, Cameron cranked up the music in the kitchen too, for one reason only. So Lucian and I couldn’t hear.
“This is highly disgruntling,” I decided.
Lucian frowned and removed his suit jacket. “I’m inclined to agree with you.”
I offered to take his jacket and hung it on the hooks over the dresser. “Well, we can sit down. I have a gift for you—and you’re gonna love it.”
That coaxed a smile from him, and he nodded once. “I’m sure I will.”
I hoped he was going to like the card too!
As soon as he was seated, I grabbed his gift from my chair before I sat down too and handed it over. “Happy birthday again, Sir.”
“Thank you, Noa.” He grinned faintly and eyed the card. “‘It’s your birthday, old chap.’ Christ.” Thank goodness he saw the humor. Then he flipped open the card and read my greeting in a low murmur. “‘Happy 44th, and thank you for…’” His smile softened. “‘Thank you for making my boyfriend super happy. That makes me super happy too. A million hugs, Noa.’” He reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “You always were a sweetheart, pet. Thank you.”
I hadn’t noticed the knot in my stomach until he said that, and then the knot just evaporated. It felt really good. I wanted to be close to Lucian too—and explore what my heart wanted down the line. Who knew how many I could love? My gratefulness toward Lucian was already through the roof.
My love for Daddy hadn’t faded when I’d met Cameron. My heart had just doubled in size.
Lucian picked up the gift next, and I’d fully expected him to neatly open the box where I’d put tape. That was how Daddy opened presents. Instead, Lucian tore at the black wrapping paper, and it kind of made my day.
Didn’t it say a lot about a person how they opened presents?
A cardboard box was revealed, and he popped that open too and dipped his fingers inside. A big smile took over as he pulled out the servant’s bell I’d gotten him. I’d first spotted one when I’d walked by a novelty shop, which had sparked the idea. Then I’d googled my butt off to find an actual nice-quality one. It was all brass, and it had a black bow tied around the handle.
“I had it engraved,” I said. “It’s on the inside.”
The bell clanked as he turned it upside down to read the inscription. “‘His love will find freedom in your every call.’ Heavens, Noa, I forget sometimes there’s so much more to you than a precious goofball.”
I shrugged and couldn’t help but give him a silly grin.
He opened his mouth to say something else, but Cameron and Daddy emerged from the kitchen with food.
Lucian sent me another smile—and a look that said he’d say what he wanted to say later.
“Is everything okay?” I glanced between Cameron and Daddy. “I’m sorry I was a dick earlier, babe.”
Cameron’s eyes were a little red. “You weren’t—it’s okay.” He chuckled at…something, and he put down a big salad bowl on the table. “Your Daddy’s right on the money sometimes. It’s freakishly hot.”
I raised my brows at Daddy. I knew all those things, but I was curious about what they’d said. What he’d been right about.
Daddy snatched the spot on the side of the table that didn’t have a chair, and then he grabbed a bread bowl from his lap, as well as a bottle of olive oil and a salt dish, and placed it all on the table.
“Nothing you want to share with the class?” Lucian pressed.
“Not at the moment.” Daddy was cool as a cucumber and smiled, perfectly at ease. “This is gonna be good. I’m starving.”
Hmpf.
I should totally have a secret with Lucian at some point. See how they’d like that.
“Crap, I forgot the wine. I’ll be right back.” Cameron darted back to the kitchen.
“Noa gave me this.” Lucian showed Daddy the bell. “He knows when and where to strike.”
“He sure does,” Daddy murmured, reading the inscription. “That’s very sweet, freckles. I’m sure Lucian will make use of it this weekend.”
Did that mean we had plans?!
Cameron asked before I had the chance, as he returned with the wine. “Use of what, and what’s happening this weekend?”
“We were hoping you’d like to join us at the cabin,” Lucian responded. He leaned back when Cameron poured us wine. “KC and I have some preparations for the Game to sort out, and we thought we could make a weekend out of it. Some good food, getting to know one another better, maybe a session or two…”
“We’re in,” Cameron and I said.
“Perfect,” Daddy replied. “I’ll pick you boys up after work tomorrow. Make sure to pack a bag for two nights.”