Page 191 of Pistols and Plush Toys

“The mystery element is well done, I will say,” Meredith added. “Elliot, this really is delicious.”

“Thank you,” Elliot said, cheeks flushing with happiness.

“You see?” Nikolai said. “Is what I’m saying. That Elliot is best chef.”

“We weren’t doubting you,” Meredith said dryly. “Perish the thought.”

“Hm,” Nikolai said, sounding suspicious. When he turned to Elliot. “What you think, should we try Coral Island?”

Elliot laughed. “I mean, I’m willing to try. It sounds like it could be fun. And you already like Checklists.”

“What!” Gerard exclaimed around a bite of burger. He quickly chewed and swallowed. “Sorry—Elliot, this fucking delicious, wow—but what! You dragged me to the bay and back for Checklists and now you’re watching it? Excuse me? I’m betrayed.”

Nikolai shrugged. “Elliot likes it.”

“Nikolai likes to guess who will accomplish the task most creatively,” Elliot told Gerard conspiratorially. “And he comments on all the humor, or asks me to explain a joke if he thinks he’s not getting it. He’s very invested.”

“Shhh, do not tell him my secret,” Nikolai said, frowning comically.

“You see?” Gerard said. “This is why Meredith is my next of kin.” He took another bite of his burger and gave Elliot an emphatic thumbs up.

“The fries are very good too,” Meredith said. “What’s your day rate, Elliot? Have you decided?”

“Everyone wants to poach my chef,” Nikolai muttered.

Elliot giggled. “I’m still thinking about it,” he said to Meredith. He’d texted her about his plans for business and talked to Nikolai about it as well. It might be a while before he actually got his first client, but already it felt like a real thing.

“Kolya, how are you not losing your mind over the food?” Gerard asked. He was already finished with his burger, but was now devouring his fries.

“Is very good,” Nikolai said, looking proud. “But Elliot already lets me try it before.”

“I had Nikolai and Xander taste test earlier this week,” Elliot explained. “I wanted to make sure I got the flavors right. Nikolai knew what they were supposed to taste like, and Xander has a really refined palette, so he could make suggestions.”

Gerard looked from his mostly empty plate up to Elliot. “Xander helped you make these?”

“And Nikolai,” Elliot said.

Gerard waved a hand. “Kolya is old news. I just didn’t know Xander helped you. He didn’t mention it.”

Elliot hid his smile. Xander had mentioned a few times now how he and Gerard were texting back and forth. It was cute. “Maybe he didn’t want to make you jealous.”

“Maybe that’s what it was,” Gerard said. “But now I have a very important question.”

“Yeah?” Elliot asked.

Gerard took a deep breath. “Are there more burgers?”

Elliot giggled again. “Yeah, of course. In the kitchen. Let me—” Elliot went to stand, but Gerard waved him back down.

“No, sit, sit. I’m more than capable of helping myself,” Gerard said with a grin. He got up and headed toward the kitchen.

“Don’t take them all,” Nikolai called after him.

“You’ll want to save some room for dessert,” Meredith added.

Gerard’s head poked back into the dining room. “Dessert?”

“I made apple piroshki,” Elliot said.

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