Page 88 of Felix

I give his arm a squeeze as Emil subtly takes the guy’s picture. “Don’t go anywhere alone tonight, okay? We’ll be here until you’re ready to leave.”

Noel nods, looking grateful.

“Oh, and this is Emil,” I tack on. “My boyfriend.”

Noel holds out his hand, even as his cheeks pink. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Emil answers.

“You guys want anything to drink while you’re waiting?” Noel asks.

“Actually,” I say slowly. “You might want to get a tray of waters ready. There are a few others coming.”

“There are?” Noel asks, head cocked. “Who?”

A smile twists my lips. “Friends.”

Chapter 23

Emil

“I say we crush him,” Alex says, grinding his fist into his palm.

“He hasn’t done anything yet,” Finn says calmly from beside him, the big bear of a redhead threading his fingers through Alex’s hair. His other hand is around the back of Rowan’s neck.

“Yet being the key word,” Alex retorts, eyes narrowed. “And stop trying to pet me into submission, Ginger Bear.”

“As if that would ever work,” Finn replies, voice fond as he continues to play with Alex’s hair.

Alex harrumphs but looks pleased.

“Dude’s suspicious,” Dixon says.

“See!” Alex cries. “Thank you, Grumpy Bear.”

The guy in question hasn’t once left his table near the back of the club. He’s gone through a couple drinks at this point, but instead of paying attention to the dancing entertainment, his eyes, more often than not, have been following Noel through the club.

“I don’t trust him,” Christian says.

“Me neither,” Kipp puts in. He’s sitting on Teddy’s lap, even though there’s an empty seat at the table. “Couldn’t we just call the cops?”

“And say what?” Alex replies. “There’s a guy we don’t like the look of who’s sitting politely inside a club and making googly-eyes at our friend?”

Kipp scrunches his nose. “You have a point. Wasn’t he loitering in the parking lot, though?”

“Noel thinks so, but he’s not positive,” Christian answers.

Kipp deflates.

“Maybe we’ve got it wrong, and he’s just lonely,” Niko says, popping the top few buttons on his shirt and standing. “Be right back.”

“Jesus Christ,” Dixon mutters.

“What’s he doing?” Alex asks in alarm.

Dixon heaves a sigh. “Flirting.”

We all watch as Niko saunters over to the man’s table. He leans his hands on the surface, grinning as he says something to the guy. The guy’s expression is like stone as he shakes his head once. Niko says something else, but the man clearly isn’t interested. With a shrug, Niko turns around and heads back our way. The guy’s eyes immediately seek out Noel.

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