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Or was he scared of sharing his opinion in fear of it being wrong, and my validation made it possible for him to express himself?

Was I projecting again?

"I also love lovelovethe cinnamon roll cake, but then again I'm partial to cinnamon roll so I can't be trusted."

Kody shook his head.

"No. You're right. It's delicious. You wouldn't think it'd translate well as a cake but…I guess that's a testament to Joel's skill."

Joel smiled and tipped his head in thanks.

"Is it silly that I keep getting drawn to this one too?" I pointed to the chocolate and passion fruit.

It was so decadent, so sweet yet tangy, so rich yet not overbearing.

"Why would it be?" Kody asked.

I shrugged. "It's a very summery flavor. It doesn't go with any of the rest of them but I know I'd eat a whole-ass cake of that at home in one sitting, no regrets."

Both of them laughed and I felt Kody's shoulder brush mine. Was that an accident?

I hoped to God it was.

"I think I know which ones we want to go for," Kody said after a moment.

I looked at him begging him telepathically not to do it. Not to pick the flavors I chose. I didn't know what my mind would do to me if he did.

"One layer of chocolate and raspberry," he said and I took a little inaudible sigh of relief. "One layer of gingerbread and pumpkin." I froze.

That wasn't so bad.

Jenna liked gingerbread. He'd just said it. There was nothing more to it. I was just projecting again. I had to get that checked, somehow.

"And one of chocolate and passion fruit."

Well…fuck.

If this wasn’t confirmation I wasn’t projecting, I didn’t know what was.

17

KODY

"Come on, Cookie. Do your poo please!" Nikita begged and I rolled my eyes at my brother. "What? It's freaking freezing, dude."

"I'm well aware," I said. "But you know that's not their cue to go."

Nikita gasped as if this was brand-new information. It wasn't. Not that he'd admit ever paying attention when I spoke.

"Then use their cue so we can go back inside."

"The cue is only for emergencies." I shrugged and continued walking with a smirk on my face.

"But it is an emergency," Nikita groaned. "My balls are frozen solid."

"I think that constitutes justice served, not an emergency."

Nikita punched my arm and I faked a cry.