Okay, well that settled that.
Jude flipped the chair over and tested the legs before he grabbed the plaid cushion, putting it in place. “Sit there,” Jude ordered.
Bossy! Liam liked it. He skipped over and plopped his butt into the chair. “Okay, I guess you don’t need my help.”
“I don’t,” Jude said. Something caught his attention, forcing Jude to snap his gaze to the window. “What is that?”
Liam followed Jude’s gaze. “That’s a cat.”
“A cat?” Jude was frowning at Liam’s precious baby. “He’s kind of fat.”
Liam gasped. This asshole had not just called his baby fat! “He is not! He’s just big-boned.”
Jude’s grunt wasn’t unexpected.
“Hades will tear out your throat,” Liam warned. No one called Liam’s baby fat! Hades was perfect just the way he was.
“I think I’ll take my chances against your fat cat.”
Jerk! Liam drew his legs up to his chest as Jude started on the next chair. Hades would certainly forgive Liam for allowing Jude to hang around and do the hard work so Liam didn’t have to do it. He’d make sure to give Hades extra treats before bed. That always cheered his baby up.
It was almost worth it as Jude actually had some skill in putting together furniture.
Liam could picture the deck decor coming together. He’d gone with tan wicker and cushions. Lots of cushions. Liam loved soft things. He was pretty sure that it came from the little part of him.
Looking over at Jude’s deck, Liam frowned.
Jude’s furniture was all black rod iron with dark colors. He did have numerous plants all along his railing and in the corners. More plants than Liam had ever known another person to have.
Liam had a total black thumb, as the saying went. An ex-boyfriend had once gifted him an ivy plant. After Liam kept forgetting to water it and his ex had to bring it back to life a half dozen times, Liam’s ex took the plant back. Their relationship hadn’t lasted much longer than Liam had the plant. Not that it was the plant's fault. Liam just had bad taste in men.
Jude finished the second chair then moved on to the wicker loveseat.
Liam’s mouth watered as Jude struggled to push the piece of furniture onto its side.
“I can—” Liam started to offer.
“I got it,” Jude cut him off.
Liam rolled his eyes while huffing but Jude wasn’t even looking at him. Was it weird that he was watching his neighbor basically do the heavy lifting that Liam had been struggling with? Okay, he’d been about to give up and force Nicky to help once his bestie came over. It wasn’t like Liam had asked Jude either. Jude had come over all on his own.
“So,” Liam drawled. “You were watching me?”
Jude snorted. “Just returning the favor.”
Liam grinned. His neighbor was spicy! “I do have to admit that the views here are much better than expected.”
Slowly Jude turned his head to look at him.
“What?” Liam asked innocently. “I’m just being honest.”
“You look sweet and innocent but I’m beginning to think that you’re pure trouble,” Jude accused. There was a light in his eyes that Liam hadn’t seen before.
Liam batted his lashes. “I have no idea what you're talking about.” Flirting was fun. They were flirting, right? It felt like it to Liam.
Jude’s features hardened then he turned back to his task.
Or not! Liam wanted to scream. He was totally getting mixed signals from his grumpy neighbor. “So, what do you do?” Liam asked just so he didn’t have to sit there in silence.
