Chapter 3

The next day was Saturday, so I didn't have work. I had Kane write up the grocery list ahead of time.

After breakfast, he took me on the grocery run.

Same e-bike. Same Kane driving.

But this time I scooted back as far as I could, putting some space between us, and I didn't touch his abs once.

That should cut down on how much I was bothering him, right?

"Hold on tight. Bumpy ahead."

Kane's voice was clear and low.

I didn't think much of it. I'd ridden this road a million times, and it was always smooth.

Then, a second later, the e-bike hit a pothole.

My chest slammed into Kane's back, and my nose smacked right into his hard spine. It hurt so much my eyes watered.

Okay. Lesson learned. But I still didn't dare press up against him. I just grabbed a fistful of his shirt, keeping a gap between us, careful not to cross any lines.

After that, Kane didn't say a single word.

But I could feel this gloomy cloud hanging over him, and he rode the e-bike way faster than usual, like he was working out his frustration.

Seriously? I'd only bumped into him by accident. Was that really such a big deal?

By the time we'd wrapped up most of our shopping, it was almost ten.

It was a big sale day at the grocery store, and the place was packed.

Kane carried all the bags in one hand and hovered the other around me, in case any running kids crashed into me.

He was thoughtful like that. But honestly, I didn't really want to go grocery shopping with him.

Because every single time, the cashier would tease us. "You two are such a cute couple!" "Look at you two, adorable together."

I used to soak it all up with a big dumb smile, and secretly gloat that Kane never corrected them.

But now that I knew he wasn't into me, I just felt squirmy and uncomfortable.

And if I really put myself in his shoes, my behavior was basically workplace harassment.

So when the cashier greeted me again, I blurted out, way too loudly, "He's not my boyfriend!"

She and Kane both stared at me. I guess neither of them expected such a big reaction.

After a beat, Kane said through gritted teeth, "Right. We're not."

I nodded along quickly.

So he'd wanted to set the record straight this whole time.

He didn't like me. I'd just been fooling myself.

My fault for being so oblivious. I'd never picked up on what he was trying to tell me.

On the way home, Kane walked really fast.

He had long legs, and in a few seconds he'd left me way behind. I was smart enough not to chase after him and beg him to carry me, or whine for him to wait.

We got home like that, in silence. The front door was cracked open.

Kane frowned. He distinctly remembered locking it before we left.

He didn't say a word. He stepped in front of me and shoved the door wide open.

Then his pupils shrank.

There was a strange man in our living room.

He was wearing the plaid shirt I'd just bought, and when he smiled at me, two cute little fangs showed.

"Owner, thank you. For the clothes. I like."

Kane's face went even darker.

"This is the friend you were talking about? You're getting another incubus?"

Jamie tilted his head and smiled at Kane too. "Not friend. I'm Owner's, husband. Can, take me."

My cheeks went bright red.

Typical Companion-type. He had zero filter.

Kane's eyes slowly swept over me, then Jamie. Cold, heavy. I couldn't even lift my head.

In the end, he gave me one long look, then walked into the kitchen without a word.

What was going on?

Kane hadn't said anything, but I could swear he was mad.

Suddenly I didn't feel much like paying attention to Jamie.

I pulled out my phone and messaged the rep. [Is Kane an Elite-tier incubus? I get the feeling he has a lot of hostility toward Jamie.]

The chat just kept showing [typing...]

Two minutes later, the rep finally replied: [So sorry, hon! We're having some database issues, so we can't check incubus tiers right now.]

[But the history log shows Kane's starting tier wasn't Elite!]

Okay. That settled it.

It was probably just his personality.

I was still debating whether to go smooth things over with Kane when he started carrying dishes out of the kitchen.

Jamie hurried over, eyes sparkling. "Bro, you, so cool. From now, we, each do our job. Owner, we serve, very good."

Kane walked around him without a flicker of expression, set out my bowl and chopsticks, and poured me a glass of apple juice.

Then he went back to his room, and he still hadn't come out by the time Jamie and I finished eating.

I was getting really anxious.

Was Kane on a hunger strike?

Was he scared I'd dump him now that I had another incubus?

I walked into his room and picked my words carefully. "You worked hard today. Is there anything you want? I'll grant you one wish."

Kane's brows were still drawn together, but his eyes softened. He let out a low, muffled "Mm."

"What if I said send Jamie away?"