Then several bodies surrounded them, arms squeezing in a group hug as Oliver said, “We just thought you two were fucking. We didn’t know you were in love!”
“I did,” Willow sighed happily as she rested her head on Gem’s shoulder.
“I know this is against HR, but I want to be part of this too,” Glyma said as she joined the hug. “Don’t tell Quin.”
“Unfortunately, I’m here too,” Quin said gruffly as she loosely hooked an arm around Oliver’s shoulders. “As unprofessional as this all is, I’m very happy for you both.”
“I shall join the embrace in spirit, not in body,” Zef said from several feet away, though one light green hand did pat Rusty’s shoulder briefly.
“It’s too mushy for my taste,” Tad grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. “I was hoping you two would argue and break up and then maybe Gem would murder Rusty in a crime of passion.” Everyone turned and frowned down at the Anura. She blinked her bulbous eyes at them and shrugged. “What? At least that would have been funny.”
Rusty balked in offense as the embrace broke apart enough Gem could place him back on his feet. “Gem murdering me would be funny?”
“Don’t take it personal,” she chided.
“How is me getting murdered not personal?” he demanded.
“Well, if Toni finds out, Rusty might still get murdered,” Gem offered, withering under Rusty’s glare. “Which would be terrible, of course, and I would protect you with my life. Theoretically.”
Tad grinned eerily, checking her watch. “Excellent. Things are about to get good.”
“Let’s do our best to avoid murder on cafe property,” Quin said.
“Yeah, another dead body will not play well with the press,” Glyma agreed.
“Blood makes me queasy,” Willow said.
“And I’d be the one forced to clean it up,” Oliver said miserably.
“Nice to know mysafetyis the priority here,” Rusty said flatly.
“Let’s just keep things chill until I have a chance to talk with Toni,” Gem said, and everyone nodded, mumbling agreement. He sighed in relief, but the reprieve lasted only a moment before his stomach froze to ice at the sound of his best friend’s voice.
“Talk to Toni about what?”
Chapter thirty-one
Workplace (In)Appropriate
Rusty
At the sound ofToni’s voice, Gem jolted so severely he stumbled back a step, gripping Oliver and Willow’s shoulders to steady his balance. His face turned ashy as he rounded on the Elas standing in the doorway of the cafe. All eight of Gem’s eyes were wide with panic, and Toni’s brows furrowed, head cocking as he scrutinized the Araknis.
Rusty barely resisted the urge to reach out and take Gem’s hand in reassurance. He had a feeling Gem wouldn’t appreciate it, and it probably would get him murdered by the Elas frowning at them.
“Toni!” Gem cried, laughing somewhat manically. “Hey, guys, Toni’s here. Oh, happy day. Toni is here. Right now. Which is, just, so great!”
“What, uh”—Toni glanced around the room, at the group of them behind the counter and the crowd of customers watching—“what’s going on?”
“Nothing,” Gem said, wringing all of his hands. “We were just—well, you see, we were just… uhhh—”
“Giving Oliveradvice,” Glyma chimed in.
“Sex advice,” Willow agreed.
“Aw, come on,” Oliver whined.
“About his flaccid noodle,” Tad added.
