As the doors shut behind him, Gem turned to his three conspirators and shimmied. “See? Doesn’t have a clue. Ilovetoday!”
After stowing his purse and jacket, Gem joined Rusty and Oliver—his first and very best human friend—behind the front counter of the Passing Through Cafe. He took Oliver’s place at the espresso machine so the cute blond could work the register, freeing Rusty to clean the tables dirtied from the early morning rush.
When Oliver noticed Gem’s shirt, he laughed. “Nice!”
Gem winked several eyes at him as he stamped fresh espresso into the portafilter and steamed dairy. “Rusty didn’t demand that I explain the mix-up to customers this time. I think he’s finally starting to see the humor.”
“Maybe, but you might not want to mention it. Once he realizes, he’ll make you do it,” Oliver said as he handed a piece of Glyma’s famouskriltcakeover the counter to a waiting customer.
“So, is Liel back in the Pentagram yet, or are you still coming to mine tonight after the club?” Gem asked over the sputter of the milk steamer.
The Gymnot Oliver had been talking to—and sexting—for the past two weeks had been in the human world for work, but he was supposed to be coming back sometime this weekend. They’d made plans to hit up a club in Gluttony tonight, and Oliver was going to spend the night with Gem so he could stay on this side of the veil. Since Gem prided himself on being Hellia’s best wingman, he was more than willing to do just about anything to help Oliver get laid.
Apparently, the human hadn’t had sex in eight months, which was honestly a travesty. Gem couldn’t imagine being celibate that long. He could barely make it a few weeks without getting dicked down. Maybe humans were built differently, but Gem was in awe that Oliver was still sane.
Oliver looked rather glum as he answered, “Liel’s still in Boston, but he should be coming home tomorrow. Is it still okay if I crash at yours?”
“Of course, babes. We’ll have ourselves a slumber party; it’s gonna be so fun.” Reaching out, Gem squeezed Oliver’s arm. “Do you like cuddling? Because I really like cuddling.”
A light blush colored the tops of Oliver’s cheeks, dusting them a cute pink and making the subtle spots on his nose more prominent. “Yeah, I’m good with cuddling.”
“Oh yay! Snuggle buddies.” Gem clapped his top hands as he drew a swirly leaf design with the frothy milk to finish off the cappuccino with his middle hands.
The mid-morning rush hit, and Gem chatted with familiar regulars as he worked. Toni, Gem’s best friend since the age of fourteen, swaggered into the cafe through the front door around nine. His indigo hair was slickedback, though a stubborn wave curled over his forehead, and he was wearing a pair of tight jeans, his usual shitkicker boots, and a t-shirt with the sleeves ripped off—to ensure his arm fins didn’t get crushed.
He looked tired, but when his black eyes met Gem’s, he offered him a small smile. Then he noticed Gem’s shirt and checked Rusty’s. “Ha! Nice one, Gemmy,” the Elas said, clicking his tongue and shooting Gem finger guns.
Gem curtsied, refusing to mute his smile, even when Rusty shot him an unimpressed look. “Thank you. The customers are having a really fun time with it today.”
“Homicide will send you to jail, Rus,” Rusty muttered under his breath as he boxed up several coagulated blood tarts. “You wouldn’t do well in jail.”
“Really?” Oliver asked as he swiped a customer’s card. “I feel like you’d do pretty good in jail actually.”
Rusty cocked his head. “You think?”
“Dude, you’re scary when you want to be,” Oliver said, and Rusty grinned, his tail poofing up in satisfaction.
He gave Oliver a friendly smack to the shoulder. “Thanks, K.O.”
“If I ever went to jail, I’d create a harem of beefy guys to protect me,” Gem said as he slid several drinks over the counter to waiting customers. “They’d be my security bitches, and I’d reward them.” He waggled his eyebrows at Rusty as he added, “Generously.”
Oliver laughed as Rusty rolled his eyes, and Toni paused in the kitchen doorway, holding the swinging doors open as he gave Gem a proud onceover. “Gemmy, if anyone could reign as queen in prison, it’d be you.”
Gem preened. “You’re godsdamned right. My rule would be firm but fair, and I’d petition the prison execs for cuter uniforms because orange isnotmy color.”
“I’d feel safer in prison if you were in charge,” Oliver said sincerely, and Gem pressed two hands to his chest.
“Aw, Ollie. That’s so sweet. I’d make you my favorite bitch.”
Chest swelling, Oliver shot Rusty a smug grin. “Hear that? I’d be Gem’s favorite.”
“His favoritebitch,” Rusty corrected, but before Oliver could retort, Gem wrapped an arm around the human’s shoulders and glared at Rusty.
“Hey, I’d take good care of him,andI’d show him a good time. I feel like it’s a win for everyone involved.”
“Honestly, I agree,” Oliver said.
With a snort, Rusty shook his head and folded a new bakery box. “How about we just avoid prison all together?”
