“Talk about an interesting dinner party.”
Cleo shrugs. “At the end of the day, I belong to both, and this way, for the most part, it’s balanced between both families. So no one should feel pressured or anything.”
“I like it. We’re family, no matter where our loyalties lie.”
“Exactly.”
The server comes up and takes our order. When she walks away, we pick back up our conversation.
“So, what do you have in mind?”
“I want something casual. Lots of food and a night where we don’t have to worry about business.”
“That’s a tall order.”
“I know, but you and I both know they all deserve a night off.”
“There’s no sleep for the wicked,” I say, repeating something Callum has said to me a million times.
“True, but I’d like to pretend.” Cleo shrugs.
“Well, I’m all for it. Just tell me what you need.”
“Do you have any plans after this?”
I shake my head. “My afternoon is free.”
“Do you maybe want to go shopping with me and pick some things out?”
“Sounds good to me.” I nod as the server brings us our food.
As we eat, we chit chat. I tell her how I’m already done Christmas shopping and plan to start decorating our place this weekend. She tells me she hasn’t even started buying gifts yet.
I cringe. “Add that to the list of things to do today.”
Cleo laughs. “Hey, not all of us can be on top of everything all of the time.”
“Do you even know what you want to get whoever you're buying for?”
Cleo nods. “Of course, I know I want to get Emily a pony.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re not getting her a pony.”
“Why not? I think she would love it.”
“She’s one,” I deadpan.
Cleo waves her hand through the air. “Small details. Other than her, though, no idea.”
“You don’t know what you want to get Kai?”
“What do you even get a man who has everything, and if he doesn’t, he buys it for himself?” she asks as she hands Emily another fry off her plate.
I hum. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to buy for someone like Kai.
“He likes blades. Is there one he wants but doesn’t have yet?”
She tilts her head to the side and thinks about it. “I’d have to ask Kado or Kenji for help on that one. They all look the same to me. What did you get Callum?”
