Chapter 36

“Yes, might as well do it now before the coffee.”

Jules nodded and stepped away, missing the heat of Nix the instant he did.

Nix threw the bedding on the couch, pulled out the bed from the wall, and grabbed the mattress to flip it off the frame. “If there are dust bunnies underneath, you are not allowed to judge me.”

He looked so serious Jules had to laugh. “Out loud.”

“No, at all.”

“But how will you know what’s going on in my head?” Jules gave him a wide-eyed look.

With a growl, Nix went to get the vacuum cleaner.

“No.” Jules laughed, stopping him from plugging it in with a hand on his arm. “I was joking, Nix. I won’t judge. Booksy makes my windowsill all hairy.”

“Yes, but he’s your pet and pets shed. I live on my own. All the filth is mine.”

Jules narrowed his eyes. “How long has it been since you vacuumed?”

“You saw me vacuum.”

“Underneath the bed? There won’t be a spider farm or mice having an extended family party, right?”