Ryker walks into the kitchen like he always does.
Ryker heads for the fridge.
Alex glances up first. “Morning.”
“Morning,” Ryker replies.
He pulls something out, clearly planning to eat.
“Sit,” Max says casually.
Ryker pauses. “I’m fine.”
“You’re hovering,” Alex adds mildly. “It’s irritating.”
Cassian slides a chair out with his foot. “Just eat with us.”
Ryker studies the table for half a second.
Then he walks over and sits at the edge.
Francesco’s fingers are idly playing with a strand of my hair while Enzo keeps talking about absolutely nothing important.
Then—
Francesco’s fingers slide behind my ear.
It’s subtle.
Just the lightest scratch.
But my breath hitches.
Tiny.
Almost invisible.
Almost.
Max feels it immediately. His thumb presses into my waist in quiet satisfa
