Page 85 (2/2)

And loud

The issue in question was the dreaded collar that was currently sitting about twenty feet from me on Luca’s desk I couldn’t actually see the collar, but I recognized the box fro on his desk in the other house… the one in the Hamptons

Because of my freak-out when Con had shown ht in the ocean-front house and it hadn’t been until the following afternoon that we’d ht after hn and I hadn’tme with a solemn expression on his face I’d kissed hiure out that he was upset He hadn’t asked ured he’d talked to Con about it at some point while I’d been asleep

But it wasn’t until Vaughn and I had entered the kitchen thatfor breakfast that I’d realized Con hadn’t had a clue about the collar I’d been forced to wear for so many years

And how hard it had been to give it up, both figuratively and literally

Poor Con had been an absolute hn and I had shown up for breakfast

The first thing we’d both noticed were grits

Everywhere

They’d been in containers all over the counter and Con’s clothes had been covered in flour and all hn, he hadn’t stoppedfor even a moment

He’d just kept right on cooking

And talking

Dig in, guys There’s all kinds… sausage and cheese, bacon and cheese, haot cinnaot fruit on it but maybe don’t try that one because it was more of an experi but if there’s another kind you like, I can make them for you…

As he’d spoken, Con had pointed to the different containers full of grits And he hadn’t stayed still for a hts, but I could picture hi for that next strike to come his way

My heart had broken for hihn’s, he’d instantly let e kitchen island Con’s verbal diarrhea had only gotten worse as I’d approached him but when I’d walked into his body, he’d shut up and then he’d put his arms aardly around me

Then he’d hugged me hard I’m sorry, Aleks I didn’t know

It hadn’t really bothered hn had told him about the collar I’d been forced to wear because I’d known Vaughn wouldn’t have shared anything beyond the facts

I’d squeezed Con in response and it had been enough When he’d releasedall the different versions of grits he’dthe cinna happier than when I’d pushed ed to quell