“Yes.” Duke was still on his knees; Nat couldn’t believe he would stay in such a vulnerable position. “You were there when I brought the cart back. You know what it’s been through.”
“But it’s part ofyourfamily!”
Duke’s smile softened. “What if I wantyouto be part of my family, sweetheart?”
Nat’s heart tumbled. “Um. It’s really too soon to make such a huge commitment. Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Duke brought Nat’s hands to his lips and kissed his fingers. “Pick a name.”
Nat wasn’t great at names. He cast his mind around and blurted, “What about ‘What Cart Old Fart’?”
Duke stared.
Nat cringed. “No, that’s terrible. Forget I said it.”
But the cart came up to him, squeaking its wheels excitedly.
“Oh, no,” Nat mumbled. “Is that the name you want?”
The cart bumped against him and wriggled in an odd cart dance. Duke coughed, his lips twitching. “What about ‘What Cart’ for short?”
“Well, okay.” Nat grimaced. “Hopefully no one will ask why.”
Duke grinned, all bright and handsome. Nat couldn’t help smiling back.
Hubrie burst into the dining room, carrying a platter of steamingsomething.
“Eggplants,” the butler announced. “The softest, squishiest—”
On any other day, Nat would’ve shrugged at the way eggplants smelled.
But now.
Now, his stomachrebelled.
Violently.
He clapped his hands over his mouth in distress. “Need bathroom!”
Duke looked confused. What Cart bumped into Nat, tumbling him into its cargo basket. Then it rushed Nat out of the dining room.
“Nat!” Duke yelped, scrambling after them. “Hey!”
He arrived in the hallway bathroom just in time to help Nat out of the cart. Nat wobbled over to the toilet and heaved.
“Fuck,” Duke said.
“Hell Master!” Hubrie cried. “Now is the time to declare your intentions! The best way to do so is with a pickup line. Here.”
From the corner of his eye, Nat saw Hubrie thrust a pink book at Duke.
Duke ignored him.
Not to be put off, Hubrie puffed up indignantly. He opened the book and cleared his throat. “Nat, I will read you a line on Hell Master’s behalf.”
“Don’t,” Duke growled.
Nat heaved. Duke snarled at Hubrie, but he was too busy rubbing Nat’s back to do anything about his butler.
