Chapter 62

“What do you think of the tea, guys?” he asked, changing the subject, as I’d expected he would.

“I love it,” Derek whispered in a thick voice that echoed the emotions we were all feeling. “It’s, uh, got a lot of different layers to it. Hard to really understand what you’re getting at first.” He looked at me. “And how about you, Nick, what do you think?”

I understood what he was doing. “Well, you’re right, yeah. It starts out a little bitter, but then as you get to know it, it’s gives off this smooth caramel taste I really enjoy.”

“Cool.”

“Myles,” Derek said, more cheerfully. “You know we aren’t talking about the tea! We’re talking about you.”

Myles frowned, surprised. “Oh…”

Derek shook his head. “Why don’t you come over here?”

“Over there?”

“Yes. Right here. Nick scoot over. I want him in the middle.”

“I never knew you were this bossy,” Myles said, teasing Derek.

“Years of living with a chef.” Derek signalled for Myles to hurry. “Come on.”