Page 46 of Not Dating Material

“Fine. I guess I can’t avoid it forever.”

“Wow, calm down. I know a date with me is exciting, but—”

He hooks an arm around my neck and ruffles my hair with his free hand. “Relax, Tiny. I told you, I hate restaurants, nothing to do with you.”

“Why though?” I ask, pulling away, cheeks suspiciously hot.

“Never went to them growing up. The bill confuses me, I don’t understand what half the things on the menu are, and then I always get weird looks because of my tattoos and piercings. They’re not enjoyable places for me.”

His answer opens up a world of questions for me that I’m dying to get out, but since he’s helping me with all this, the least I can do is not pry. Even if it’s killing me. “Then we’ll skip that idea.”

“No, I agree we should try one out.”

“Listen, I might want to get over my disastrous dating history, but I’m not going to do it at the expense of your comfort. We’ll plan something else.”

“Okay, but—”

A voice comes from behind us. “If you’re flirting now, does that mean you’ve stopped talking about me?”

I laugh, cheeks burning even hotter, and glance back at Xander. His blue hair looks fluffy and freshly washed, but his face is still pale, and he’s not wearing makeup for the first time since I’ve met him. I slide over and pat the place between us.

“You okay?”

“No asking that question, thank you,” he says, wriggling in next to me. He’s forcing a happy tone, and my heart actually hurts for him. Seven said not to do the pity thing, but that’s easier said than done.

Seven wraps an arm around his shoulders. “You eat dinner?”

“Yes, Dad,” Xander says, rolling his eyes at me.

“Did you drink lots of water?” I add. It was the last thing Derek said to us as we left.

Xander huffs and plants his elbows on his knees, resting his head in his hands. “I’ve been a good boy, now both of you leave me alone.”

Seven and I grin at each other over his back.

“Your daddies just care about you,” I tease.

“Great. And now you’re making me hard.”

Seven whacks the back of Xander’s head. “We have company.”

“I wasn’t talking to you.”

“Yeah, but I’m still within earshot, Z. I don’t wanna hear that.”

“Then tell Molly not to call himself Daddy.”

Watching the two of them clears up any niggles I might have had about interest between them. They’re … like brothers. Maybe closer than most brothers, but I’m not detecting anything more than love between them.

“You started it,” I point out to Xander.

He sits up suddenly, staring at me like I’ve said something revolutionary. “If you’re my Daddy, does that mean you love me?”

“Umm …” I glance at Seven like he might be able to help me out, but he’s too busy giving a long-suffering stare to the back of Xander’s head. “As a friend … yes?”

Xander squeals and pulls me into a crushing hug. “I knew it. I knew it. See, Seven? See?”

“Stop it.”

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