Page 97 of Pistols and Plush Toys

Elliot opened his mouth, but no words came out, and his expression of surprise was warring with misery.

Nikolai sat up straighter. Was this because of Xander? Or because of… how Elliot had been, up until very recently? Which was, to say,not good.

Then Xander’s eyes moved off of Elliot to Nikolai, and he visibly realized he was interrupting their meal. “Oh man, I’m so sorry. You’re at lunch, this is so rude. I’m so sorry, Elliot, Sir.” He bobbed his head at each of them and then started to turn and leave.

He got two strides before Elliot got a word out. “Wait—!”

Xander paused and turned back around.

“Sorry,” Elliot said in a rush. “I was… I was just surprised.” His smile was tentative. “But it’s good to see you. I guess you work at Blue Snake now?”

“Yeah,” Xander said with a big smile of his own. “You were always saying I should just go for it, and, well, eventually I took your advice. I… I would have told you in person but—I mean, I’m—I’m really glad to see you.”

“Congrats on the job,” Elliot said. “I’m… I’m sorry I wasn’t around for you to tell.”

“No big deal,” Xander said quickly. “Really, I get it. Sometimes stuff happens. Water under the bridge.”

Elliot glanced Nikolai’s way. “Oh, um, sorry, this is… Nikolai. Nikolai, this is Xander, someone I used to work with at Melrose.”

“Nice to be meeting you,” Nikolai said with a nod.

Xander’s cheeks were pinking. “I’m so sorry for interrupting your meal. I just didn’t expect to see Elliot.”

“Is no problem,” Nikolai said. “Melrose is restaurant, yes?”

“Yeah,” Elliot said as he turned back to Xander. “One of the places I worked at the longest.”

“That’s because we were so desperate to keep you!” Xander said with another big smile. It lit up his face. “Elliot’s a fantastic chef, but he’s also great at keeping the peace, which is so important in a busy kitchen.”

Nikolai was watching Xander, so he saw the way he looked Elliot over, his brows pulling together as he scrutinized Elliot’s face. The coloring of the bruising was mostly hidden by the concealer, but there was still some swolleness to Elliot’s face if you knew what you were looking for.

“Is that so?” Nikolai asked.

“Oh,” Elliot said, ducking his head. “I don’t know–”

“No way, you always minimize your contributions, but you were totally the glue in the kitchen,” Xander went on with exuberance. He was bouncing on his heels, like he couldn’t contain the excitement of seeing Elliot. It was endearing. “I mean, when you left, Melrose took a turn for the worse. Part of the reason I got brave enough to actually apply here.”

“Oh,” Elliot said, but softer, like hearing that upset him. “Sorry.”

“No, hey—I didn’t mean it like that,” Xander said, shaking his head. “If leaving was what was best for you, that’s totally okay. Sometimes we have to prioritize other things.”

Now Elliot was looking even more uncomfortable, shifting in his seat. Nikolai could guess just whatother thingsElliot might have had to prioritize.

“Still, I’m sorry for disappearing,” Elliot said. “I should’ve… made time for friends.”

“Hey, I mean, do you have more time these days?” Xander asked eagerly. “I’d love to catch up.”

Elliot was wide-eyed now, blinking up at him like he didn’t expect to be forgiven so easily. But it was clear how happy Xander was to reconnect. Sweet even. Then Elliot’s eyes turned to Nikolai, as if seeking permission.

It killed him a little. The way that Vitale had created this outcome, but also how Nikolai hadfailed—failed to assure Elliot that he didn’t have to run his choices by Nikolai. There was nothing he could do about it now but try to course correct.

“I’m thinking that would be good idea,” Nikolai said softly, trying to be encouraging, “You are having more free time. And friends are good, yes?”

He could practically see on Elliot’s face how much he wanted to ask if it was okay. For further permission.

Nikolai was going to make Vitale pay for it. For all of it.

“Okay yeah, that would be—that would be great,” Elliot said, with tentative excitement. He licked his lips, but his cheeks were pink with pleasure.

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