Mr. Perfect (Sinister in Savannah #2) - Aimee Nicole Walker Page 0,17

air between us so we can enter into this partnership free of old baggage.”

“Would you now?” Felix asked.

Jude nodded. “I would. Are you honestly going to say you wouldn’t prefer to bury the hatchet?”

“I’d love to,” Felix replied. “I just don’t think you’d appreciate where I’d like to bury it.”

Jude heaved a long-suffering sigh. The kind parents give when their kids have worn them down after a lengthy battle. He wasn’t quite ready to throw in the towel yet. “Why don’t I go back to the meat counter and grab another ribeye? I will make you dinner, and you can air out all your grievances against me.”

Felix shook his head. “I already have plans.”

“It’s your birthday. Of course, you’d have plans.”

Felix didn’t celebrate his birthdays; he never had. He also had no desire to correct Jude’s assumption.

“Look, we don’t have to be best friends to work together,” Felix said. “We’ll establish ground rules and adhere to them and keep our focus on the projects.”

Jude’s shoulders slumped, and his gaze fell. Felix almost felt terrible, but his nemesis rebounded quickly. The shoulders returned to their proud carriage, and those assessing blue eyes met Felix’s once more. “I’m sorry.” Jude took a shuddering breath. “I should’ve led with those words years ago. Maybe things would’ve turned out differently.”

Felix’s throat went dry. The things he wanted to say caught there, forming a lump he had to swallow down before it choked him. “Thank you.”

Jude looked like he wanted to say more, but he nodded and walked away without another word. Felix told himself not to watch him go, but his eyes were drawn to him. Some things would never change, including the urge to call out to Jude. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—let the man take another swing at his heart. Felix forced himself to refocus his attention on picking out snacks. He added tortilla chips and barbecue potato chips to his basket. Unable to stop himself, he turned his head and looked for Jude again, but his nemesis had already left the aisle. It was for the best, even if it didn’t feel like it.

He thought about the steak dinner all the way home and regretted not picking a few up to grill for himself and the fellas. Pizza didn’t sound nearly as tempting as it had a few hours ago.

When Felix arrived at home, he was surprised to see Jonah’s and Rocky’s vehicles already in the driveway. What the hell were they doing there so early? Even more strange was that neither man was in their car. Felix went inside and found Rocky, Jonah, and Avery setting platters of food on his dining room table. Not long ago, the battered table had been their makeshift recording spot until they converted a spare bedroom into a studio.

“What’s all this?” Felix asked, raking his gaze over fried chicken and all the trimmings.

“Happy birthday,” Avery said, stepping forward and hugging him. Felix returned the affectionate gesture.

Jonah had sure hit the jackpot the day his aunt Ellen decided Avery would make a good intern for the big guy. Not only did they make a fierce cybercrime-fighting team, their personalities perfectly complemented one another. Jonah was quiet and broody, and his boyfriend was sunshine and sass. Felix was glad Jonah had stopped fighting his feelings for the younger man. It was only a matter of time before they took their relationship to the next level.

Avery pulled back and smiled up at him. “I hope you don’t mind that I tagged along with Jonah.”

“You’re his better half, not some tagalong,” Felix said. “You’re part of our team and always welcome.”

“Thank you,” Avery said as he returned to Jonah’s side.

“So, which one of you numbskulls broke into my house?” Felix asked. Jonah and Avery both pointed to Rocky. “Figures. Really, Major?”

The private detective glared at him. He hated when Felix used his first name. “I’ll let you have that one because it’s your birthday.”

“Who told you it’s my birthday?”

Rocky snorted. “You know what I do for a living. Once I found out you went digging through my background, I returned the favor. Then I let the big guy know, and he said we should throw you a surprise party.”

Felix looked at Jonah, who just shrugged. “I didn’t encourage Major here to pick your lock and let us inside when you weren’t home.” Jonah looked at Rocky. “It’s invasive.”

“It’s not your birthday, so you don’t get to call me by that ridiculous name,” Rocky told Jonah. It was hilarious his friend thought