I watch as Naomi practically bounces out of the café, bubble tea in her hand. Cecil looks like he has just witnessed a ghost coming through the wall. I chuckle and pat him on the back.
"It looks like you've got a fan," I said, grinning.
Cecil shakes his head, laughing awkwardly. "What was that about?"
I shrug. "No idea. But Naomi's got a thing for you, Cecil."
Pretty sure she isn't alone due to how charming you are... Is it too late to kidnap Cecil?
Cecil raises an eyebrow. "You think?"
I nod. "Yeah. She's like her mom - energetic."
Cecil's expression turns curious. "Nalani's her mom, right?"
I nod again. "Yeah. Small circles, huh?"
Cecil looks like he is thinking while staring at the piece of paper with Naomi's number on it.
"Guess I'll text her sometime," he says out of nowhere. If I wasn't so close to him, I might have not even heard him.
I laugh but I am well aware of one thing. In reality, I don't want him to get close to her. "Yeah, do that."
I take a sip of my coffee, watching Cecil stare at the paper like it held secrets. "So, what's the plan?" I ask, nudging him.
Cecil looks up, slightly distracted. "Huh? Oh, I don't really know."
I grin, but even I can hear the possessiveness behind my next words. "You don't need to rush, Cecil. You've got my number if you need anything."
Cecil raises an eyebrow, catching the subtle shift in my tone. "Yeah, I do."
I lean back, casual but alert. "Just saying. Don't go getting too caught up with Naomi's antics."
Cecil chuckles, oblivious to the undertone. "Don't worry, I can handle it."
I watch him, eyes narrowing slightly. Why I feel jealous just because he wants to be friends with her? Is is because we are fated partners or something else?
I lean back, eyes still on Cecil, making sure he is okay with the vibe. "So, what do you think about Naomi's deal?" I ask.
Cecil shrugs, tucking the paper with her number into his pocket. "No idea, but she's Nalani's daughter, right? Guess that explains the energy."
I nod, acting as casual as possible. "Yeah, Naomi's got her mom's spark."
"I wonder if Aethera sent her here or it's just a coincidence."
I tense slightly at mum's name, but kept my face neutral. "Haven't met her," I lie, praying he will let it go.
Cecil doesn't seem to notice. "Naomi said we will meet soon again... guess I'll just have to wait to find out."
"So, want to do something this weekend?" I ask, changing the subject and he thankfully doesn't notice.
Cecil looks up, his eyes shinning with interest. "Like what?"
"Don't know. Grab some food, maybe hit up that new game place they opened?"
Cecil grins. "Sounds like a plan."
I smile back, making sure he feels happy and safe. I don't know when I started having feelings for him but I know one thing - the more I am with him, the deeper I am falling for him.
I don't care that he is my childhood best friend. He is mine and he will always be mine. Even death won't take us apart. Literally...
I pull out my phone and start typing out a text. "I'll send you the details," I say, eyes glued to the screen.
Cecil nods and takes a sip of his tea. "Cool."
My phone buzzes as Naomi's number appears on the screen. "Hey, you wanna add Naomi to the group chat?" I ask, looking up.
"Why are you asking?" Cecil replies as he eats the cookies that were next to the tea.
"She seems like she will come anyway. Better invite her then her coming without our acknowledgment"
Cecil laughs. "That's true. Feel free to add her."
I grin and type out a quick text to Naomi. "You in for food and games this weekend?"
My phone buzzes a second later. "OMG YES!!!"
Cecil leans over and looks at chuckles. "Guess that's a yes."
"I told you."
I put my phone down, leaning in a bit. "Actually, let's do it at my place instead."
Cecil looks at me. "Why? Thought we were gonna check out that new game place?"
I shrug, playing it cool. "Oh, I just heard it's closed for repairs or something. My place has the setup anyway."
Cecil nods, buying every word. "Works for me."
I smile to myself. My place is much safer. No one would flirt with him under my watch.
Naomi texts again after reading the message I send about changing the place. "Keith's place it is!"
Cecil chuckes. "Guess it's settled then."
"Yep. Does this weekend work for you?."
Cecil nods as he pushes his chair back, standing up. "No problem." He looks as his watch and his eyebrows furrow. "I think I should go now."
I stand up too, stretching. "I'll walk you out," I say, already grabbing my stuff.
Cecil doesn't argue, so I follow him out of the café. As we hit the sidewalk, I nod toward my car. "Need a ride home?"
Cecil looks at me, then the car. "Sure, thanks."
I smile, unlocking the car. "No problem. Hop in."
Cecil gets in, and I slide into the driver's seat. "So, any ideas what time we should meet?"
He shakes his head. "No idea."
I grin, as I search the quickest route to his house. "How about 6?"
He nods and for the rest of the ride, we sit in comfortable silence.
I pull up to Cecil's place, parking the car. "Here you are," I say, looking over at him.
Cecil unbuckles, smiling. "Thanks for the ride, Keith."
I nod, keeping my eyes on him. "No problem. See you at my place during the weekend."
Cecil gets out, waves, and heads toward his house. I watch him unlock the door, and step inside.
A weird sense of relief hits me. He's home now. He's safe.
I look as the door closes behind him and smile. Time to head home.
I pull out my phone as Naomi's message pops up.
Naomi: "Hey! Should I bring snacks for Saturday?"
I smirk, knowing what is about to happen.
Me: "Sure, bring whatever. Adding Dylan to the chat btw."
I add Dylan to the group chat, knowing he'd go full protective mode, especially after he learns that Cecil is coming.
Dylan: "What's going on?"
Naomi: "Game night at Keith's! You in?"
Dylan: "Depends who's coming."
I chucke. Why am I not even surprised he is saying that?
Me: "Cecil's coming. Naomi's bringing snacks."
Dylan: "Good. I'll make sure he's safe from everyone."
Naomi: "Dylan's gonna guard Cecil"
Me: "Yep, he's on it."
Looks like Cecil's gonna be surrounded by very protective people.
I exit the group chat and the phone buzzes in my hand._
Dylan: "You sure you want to introduce him to me already?"
I smirk, typing fast.
Me: "He's gonna find out about us both being his fated partners eventually. Might as well be with Naomi around."
Dylan: "You think she's enough buffer?"
Me: "Nah, but you're gonna behave."
Dylan: "You really think I will behave just because you asked me to?"
Me: "Guess we'll see."
Dylan: "Doubt it. He's mine."
I chuckle, knowing Dylan's overprotective streak.
Me: "Guess we'll see which one of us he chooses."
Dylan: "We can have him to ourselves for the rest of the eternity anyway."
My smile widens. I never thought about sharing Cecil with Dylan but I guess it isn't a bad idea.
Me: "Sounds like the perfect plan."
I lock my phone and lean back. This is going to be very interesting.