Wilder how favored slim legged slacks and bright colorful, fitted shirts looked too cute. His dark, wavy hair framed his sweet face that wore a perpetual cheeky grin, which right now was catching.
“Wilder’s right.” Lennon mumbled around another mouthful of cake.
Wilder’s eyes narrowed as he got up and went to the counter to see what cake was left in the box. “Did you have the last sliceof lemon drizzle cake?” He sounded annoyed as he picked up the box and peered inside.
“Oops,” Lennon said, with a wry grin.
“You’re supposed to be my friend, you could have shared the last piece.” Wilder flounced back to the sofa after dropping the box in the trash.
Lennon held up his plate with a chunk of cake left on it and offered it to Wilder. “You can have this bit, I haven’t licked it.”
Ziggy was back to smiling, enjoying their antics.
Wilder took it and rested his head on Lennon’s shoulder. “I love you.”
“At least somebody does,” Lennon muttered, then turned to Ziggy. “You give brilliant advice. What would you say we do to help Frey?”
“Just so you know, I’m a good listener, too,” Ziggy pointed out, aiming that at Lennon. “But I’d say we offer to help in any way we can. One thing I’ve learned working with you guys is that we’re like family. In fact, sometimes you’re better than family because you are considerate of each other and supportive in ways family isn’t always. I love that.”
“Ohh,” Bowie sniffed and out popped the thumb covered in dribble. “You say the nicest things.”
“It’s the truth.” And Ziggy meant it.
“I know I come across as self-absorbed most of the time, but Ziggy is right, I love you all. And you are my family,” Wilder murmured.
Hollis appeared in the doorway. He halted, his wide eyes sweeping the room. “What on earth is going on in here? Wh-why are you crying?”
“We’re family,” Bowie sobbed, his thumb now back in his mouth.
“Yes… okay, but what are the tears about?” Hollis gave them all a perplexed look as his gaze swept the room once more.
“We’re thinking about how we can help Frey with Emmy. We want to help,” Ziggy explained.
Hollis nodded, rubbing at his lower lip. “I’ll speak to Taylin, he might have a suggestion, but in the meantime, isn’t it time we got back to work?”
Wilder groaned. “You had to go and spoil it!”
They all laughed at Hollis’s eye-roll.
Ziggy peered up from his desk and grinned at the attractive, silver-haired man leaning on the doorframe, watching him. “Lane, I didn’t hear you come in.”
“You were so engrossed in whatever you were reading.”
Dressed more casually than Ziggy had ever seen him, in slacks and a cream sweater, Lane took the seat opposite Ziggy’s desk. “It’s the outstanding list of plans I need to go through with Jupiter to get finalized for the Milan fashion week preparation.”
“Exciting, I always adored watching it all come together, then seeing our fashions come to life and everyone gush over them.” He sighed and pushed his bangs back off his forehead. “I have to admit, I do miss it.”
Ziggy wasn’t sure of the reason for the visit, but he sensed an air of expectation that he could not explain. When Lane had interviewed him with Hollis, the genuine warmth that came from him made it easy to like him. The saying ‘what you see is what you get’ truly applied to the smiling man. “Why not come back then?”
Twinkling eyes danced with amusement. “As tempting as that is, having Derick at home is proving rather… invigorating and fun.”
Ziggy felt the blush warm his cheeks at what Lane was referring to. “That’s… nice.”
Lane chuckled and winked. “It’s most definitely better than nice. And my sons are more than capable of managing the business without our help.” He crossed his legs and lounged in the seat as if he was planning on staying for a while. “Anyway, how are you settling in? Hollis has nothing but good things to say about you. And from the group chat—and by the way, delicious and vicious was inspired—I’d say you’ve fitted in nicely with the other PAs.”
“Good. Working with Jupiter has given me a wider view of the company, which is great. The PA team you have working the different strands, you’re right, they are wonderful. They made me feel really welcome. I am happy to say they are friends and made settling into Hazardville easy.”
“And Silas?” he enquired, so casually Ziggy couldn’t understand why his pulse lept.