Page 55 of Not Dating Material

I move toward the chopping board she’s slid onto the counter. “Sure, but so long as you know I caught that weirdness.”

“Weirdness?”

“Is this pie an inside joke?”

Her gasp is dramatic. “The cruel things you’d accuse an old lady of.”

“That innocent card doesn’t work on me.” I bite back a laugh. “I bet you keep things interesting around here.”

“Nonsense. I make sure my boys are fed and healthy. Never make much of a fuss, myself.”

“Right.”

“Except when Seven insists on blasting his damn music all night.”

I think about how he told me that he only does it when she annoys him. “He’s a good guy.”

“He is. Beautiful soul, that one. Deserves a beautiful soul of his own.”

I’m not about to disagree with her there, but I don’t like the idea of Seven settling down with someone. “Maybe …”

Almost as soon as I’m done with the mushrooms, celery and cauliflower are dropped in front of me.

“Xander said you’ve been spending a lot of time with Seven,” Agatha says.

“Yeah, but I’ve been spending a lot of time with Xander too. And Madden. I’d spend more time with Rush if he was ever home.”

“Works himself to the bone, that one. And he’s a simple fellow. Sometimes I wonder about him …”

“I think he said he has a boyfriend.”

“Did he now? Well, there’s something I didn’t know.”

I side-eye her. “You know most things that go on around here?”

“Sure do.”

My teeth trap my bottom lip for a second. “How much do you know about Seven and Xander?”

“Everything.”

“Like … how they grew up?”

“Every. Damn. Thing. They both deserve better.”

“I don’t even know what happened, and I can easily agree with that.”

She hums, and I get the feeling she’s side-eyeing me too. “They’re both very special people.”

“I know.”

“A package deal, as well.”

That makes me laugh. “I kind of figured. They’re super close.”

“But not in that way.” She turns suddenly, brandishing her knife. “Don’t misunderstand me, those two are platonic and brotherly. Nothing else there.”

“Also picked up on that.”

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