A/N—Happy Friday! So we left off with Carlos about to tell his story about the night before. Most of this chapter is a flashback, and I hope that's not too confusing. Just remember that it's currently Saturday morning, and Carlos is talking about what happened Friday night. As always, I'm so grateful to you guys for reading! Thank you! :D

Carlos closes the door behind the newest applicant, disheartened. Is it really too much to ask that a prospective roommate not be crazy? He doesn't mind weird, or even introverted, but every one of them so far has been more than a little off. He berates Corey for the tenth time mentally, wondering how he has the audacity to get married and move out.

Which isn't fair. He really does wish Corey all the luck in the world. But dammit, why can't he find someone to replace Corey that's bearable?

His phone rings and he almost ignores it, not up to dealing with this anymore today. It's probably another guy who saw his listing online and wants to come over and see the place. Carlos will just let it go to voicemail.

Curious to see if it's at least someone local, since the last two who called were from out of state, Carlos' eyes widen when he spies James' name on the display. They'd exchanged numbers the day before at the coffeehouse, and Carlos had promised to give the offer of room and board in exchange for child care some thought. He hasn't really, because not only is James intimidating as hell, the child is as well. He'd love to help Kendall, but this doesn't feel like something right for him.

Carlos answers the call anyway, mostly out of curiosity. "Hello?"

"Carlos? Hi, it's James Diamond. Kendall's...from the coffeehouse."

Wondering if James had been about to say 'Kendall's boyfriend', Carlos smirks. "Hey. I'm sorry I haven't called, I was busy meeting with a lot of applicants today."

"It's fine, I know you probably don't want to move in here, and I get it. The privacy of your own room is a lot to give up."

"It's not that. That's actually a fair trade-off for no rent. It's..." How to tell someone they make you nervous?

"Look, don't worry about it. That's not why I'm calling."

"It's not?"

"No. This is gonna sound really dumb, so I need you to not talk to me like I'm an idiot."

When has Carlos ever done that? "Of course. Did I make you feel like that earlier?"

"No, not at all. But what I'm about to ask you...well, you'll think I'm a moron. But Kendall said I should call you about it, so here we are. Promise you won't laugh?"

"I never promise that. Sorry, dude, my sense of humor is messed up. One time our supervisor got coffee dumped on her head and I still laugh about it."

"I can see that being amusing under the right circumstances."

"It was hilarious! Oh my god, her face! And I mean, it was wrong, that customer was way out of line, but like...man, I wish I could see it again."

"Okay. Maybe one day I'll look back and find this just as amusing. So...how do I give my kid a bath?"

Carlos is stunned into silence by the question.

"Carlos?"

"You're serious?"

"Oh god, I knew this was a bad idea. Forget it."

"No, wait, I just...really? I mean, you just fill the tub with water. Make sure he gets clean. Wash his hair."

"Okay but like how much water? How hot is too hot? Do I have to use special soap and shampoo? Do I wash him or does he do it himself? Do I watch him or leave him alone?"

"James, whoa, hold on, you're making this too complicated. It's really not a big deal."

"Then help me! I don't know what I'm doing!"

"Okay, calm down. I promise, it's gonna be fine, you can do this."

"Don't talk to me like I'm an idiot."

"I'm not! Dude. Those aren't stupid questions, it shows you're thinking about his well-being. It's just...not as hard as you're making it."

"So then...how much water? Let's start there."

A vision suddenly comes to Carlos. "Are you making a list? Writing this stuff down?"

"...maybe."

A short chuckle erupts before Carlos cut it off. "Whatever you need to do. Half the tub is fine, maybe enough to cover his legs. Do you have bubble bath? Toys?"

"Do I need to?" James is starting to sound panicked again.

"No, it just makes it more fun for the kid. Especially if he's one who doesn't want to take a bath and you have to bribe him. Toys are good for that. There's also the option of letting him shower with you."

"Oh. I've been taking my showers before he wakes up. I never thought about doing it together. Isn't that a little weird, though?"

"Doesn't have to be. But if it seems weird to you at all, then it probably would be. So never mind that idea. He's old enough to bathe himself anyway, as long as you make sure he's actually using the soap and shampoo properly. Don't leave him alone in the bathroom, though. Again, he's probably old enough that it won't be an issue, but kids drown in bathtubs all the time."

"Kids...drown? You're telling me my kid can drown?"

"I'm just telling you to keep an eye on him. It's safer that—are you watching T.V.?"

James seems confused by the question that comes out of nowhere. "T.V.? No. Oh, that's Logan. He's educating Noah on how the universe was formed, or some weird scientific shit like that. I lost interest after two minutes. Noah seems interested, though."

"Holy shit, that is the luckiest kid in the fucking world."

Silence is followed by, "Excuse me?"

"Logan's lecturing him? Like...teaching him?"

"Yeah?"

"That's so hot."

More silence, then, "Let me get this straight. You're saying that someone rambling on about the universe and planets and stars...it's hot? It turns you on?"

"I'm a freak, okay? Geniuses do it for me."

"I see."

"Hey, I didn't laugh at you."

"Technically, you started to. But now we're even, because I find that absurd. You seriously like listening to smart guys talk about...smart stuff?"

"Let me guess. When you jerk off, you're like everyone else on the planet. You watch porn."

"Oh my god," James cracks up. "You watch lectures?"

"Don't judge me. I close my eyes and imagine it's just me in the room and they're...teaching."

"Well...the truth is I don't watch porn, either. I close my eyes and imagine it's Kendall watching me dance. So...I guess we're both a little freaky."

"That's not freaky, dude. It's kind of sweet. Can I tell him? He'd love that."

"He already knows. Listen, have you had dinner yet?"

"Um. No?"

"Why not come over and have dinner with us? You can see the place, get to know Noah a little better."

"James, I'm still not sure I want to take on that responsibility."

"Did I mention Logan's staying for dinner?"

After a beat, Carlos asks, "What time?"

Kendall was grinning as Carlos wrapped up the tale of his phone conversation with James. "Nice. I bet he was all panicky when he was asking about the water and the shampoo, wasn't he?"

"Oh my god, the dude is so scared to do something wrong with that kid."

"It's adorable. So you had dinner with them?"

"And dessert. Which like I said, was only cookies, but James buys the good shit. They were those big soft ones from some fancy bakery. And we had milk with them. I could seriously get used to living there."

Kendall's gaze narrowed. "So you're gonna do it?"

"Let me tell my story!"

"Well speed it up, I only have about five minutes left!"

"Okay, okay!"

Carlos takes care with his appearance, wanting to look good for Logan but not as if he was trying to. In the end he settles on jeans, a long-sleeved tee, and a pair of boots that probably don't go well with the outfit but always give him a confidence boost. He leaves behind the cap he tends to wear when not working, making sure his hair isn't sticking up funny with the use of styling gel, and then drives across town to the luxurious Pembroke Towers.

He feels a little self-conscious when passing over the keys to his beat-up truck, but the valet attendant smiles and hands him a ticket as if the truck fits right in with the elegant cars waiting in line to be parked. Carlos' first snag comes when he tries to enter the building and an older gentleman stops him.

"Good evening, sir. Are you here to visit a resident?"

"Oh, yes. Sorry. James Diamond."

"Forgive me, sir, but I have explicit orders from Mr. Diamond to not allow anyone up."

Carlos is stumped. He hadn't been warned about a doorman, and especially not that he'd be banned from the building. "Um. He invited me for dinner."

"If you'd like to wait here, I can call him and verify that?"

"Sure. Whatever you have to do."

The man is pleasant enough as he whips a phone from his pocket, but Carlos is already second-guessing his hasty decision to come "check out the place." This isn't his scene at all.

If Logan wasn't so freaking hot...

"Yes, Mr. Diamond, forgive me for bothering you but I have a young man here to see you? Yes, I recall that order and I told the young man about it but—oh. So it's alright, then? One moment, sir." To Carlos, the man asks, "Can I get your name, please, sir?"

"Carlos."

"He has identified himself as Carlos. Yes, sir. Oh, no trouble at all, I understand. Thank you, sir, I'll send him right up." Now bearing a welcome smile, the man nods his head at Carlos. "I apologize for that, he said to go right on up."

"It's cool. Nice to know the residents are protected here."

"Well, I do my best, sir. Harvey, by the way." He holds out a hand, which Carlos shakes. "Welcome to Pembroke Towers."

"Thanks, Harvey. See you after dinner."

"I look forward to it." Carlos is almost through the door when Harvey speaks again. "Uh...sir. Forgive my prying, but how is young Mr. Noah faring? He doesn't say much when he passes through."

"Oh, that's not just you. He's like that with everybody. His mom died recently, you know."

"I didn't know. Oh, that poor child. No wonder he always looks so sad."

"Yeah. James is hoping I'll move in and take care of Noah when he's at work. That's why I'm here, to see how I like the place."

"Well, I hope you find our home to your liking. If you have any questions at all about the Pembroke, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Thanks, Harvey. Actually..." Carlos takes a few steps closer so that he can speak quietly. "You've known James awhile, right?"

"A couple of years, yes."

"And is he...I mean, you've probably seen him at his worst. When he's really pissed off."

"Occasionally, sir."

"And when he is...I mean, is he rude to you?"

"I'm afraid I can't talk about the residents in that manner. We are trained to be discreet."

"Right." Which in Carlos' mind means that yes, James has been rude. There's no way he can work—and live—with a guy like that. "Thanks." He starts to move away, but Harvey stops him yet again.

"However, Mr..."

"Garcia."

"Mr. Garcia. I can tell you that in the time Mr. Diamond has lived here, he's always been extremely kind and gentle toward me. Even when he wasn't in the best of spirits. And he never forgets me during the holidays, always finds some way to be generous. Some of these residents come through here with an air of complete disdain, as if I'm nothing more than a doorman. And I suppose in reality, that's all I am." Before Carlos can argue, Harvey continues. "But not Mr. Diamond. He's always treated me as an equal, and he introduced me to his son as a friend. As someone Noah can trust if he's ever in trouble or needs help. That, Mr. Garcia, is all you need to know about the character of Mr. Diamond. Should you choose to work for him, you would not be treated with disrespect."

Carlos nods slowly, soaking that in and remembering what Kendall said about how James' issue was with those who didn't do their jobs well. "That tells me that you are very good at your job," Carlos smiles now.

"Well, I'd like to hope so. Enjoy your dinner, sir."

"Thanks, Harvey. See you soon."

This time Carlos makes it all the way to the elevator before doubling back to the entrance, where he has to wait for Harvey to finish giving directions to a couple leaving the building. "Was there something else, Mr. Garcia?"

"Yes, actually. How often does Logan visit?"

"Ah, Mr. Diamond's friend who arrived earlier?"

"Yeah. He's still here, right?"

"As far as I know, yes. And I'd say probably once a month, occasionally more. If I could."

"I'm sorry?"

"Well, I'd say that if I could. But since I can't speak about the habits of my residents, I'm not allowed to answer that question. Forgive me."

Carlos grins. "Got it. Thanks for nothing, Harvey." He winks, and then he jogs back toward the elevator.

Which is the second snag he hits. Once inside, he sees that the floor numbers only go up to ten. James had said he lives on the twentieth floor. "What the hell?" Carlos mutters. He steps out of the elevator and looks toward the entrance. "Harvey!"

"The one across the lobby, Mr. Garcia!"

Harvey points to Carlos' right, and he sees a second set of elevators in a far corner. "Thanks! Again!"

Finally Carlos arrives on the top level. He steps out onto a plushly-carpeted hallway, then manages to get lost on the way to James' apartment. There's no way he can live in this building. It's already hell to navigate.

Thoughts like that evaporate when he reaches the right place and the door opens to reveal Logan's shocked face. For that face, Carlos would live anywhere.

"Carlos?"

"Hi."

"Hi. Can I...did Harvey..." Logan turns away, voice rising in panic as he calls out, "James?!"

James jogs over with a grin. "Hey, Carlos, come on in! Dinner's just about ready for you." He opens the door wider, both of them stepping aside while Logan clutches at James' sleeve in terror.

Logan is wearing dark jeans and a button-down white shirt, his hair neatly combed into place. No one has ever been more beautiful to Carlos. "Sorry, am I early?"

"No, not at all. Logan, you remember Carlos? From Black Forest?"

Logan struggles to find his voice. "Yes. Hello." As the polite thing to do is hold out his hand, Logan does so.

Carlos takes it and treasures the moment, wishing it could last forever. "I hope I'm not intruding."

One thing Logan is not is rude. "Of course not. I just wasn't expecting company. James never mentioned you were coming."

"Sorry, you guys were busy in the room and I had to get dinner started. Carlos, what do you like on your pizza?"

Carlos shrugs out of his light jacket, pleased when Logan takes it from him to stash it in a closet near the door. "I get to choose?"

"You get to make it yourself. Come on over here, I was just about to go get Noah so he can decorate his own."

At Carlos' impressed expression, Logan explains, "James makes homemade dough. He says half the fun is making your own pizza."

After joining James at the kitchen counter, Carlos looks back over his shoulder. "And you? Do you say that, too?"

"Actually, all the fun for me is making sure each slice has the same amount of ingredients."

"You should see him fix up his pizza," James chuckles. "He literally counts how many olives he drops onto each piece. We don't cut it until after it's done baking but somehow he still gets it right. Every time."

"That's amazing."

Logan shrugs, embarrassed. "It's literally just math and trigonometry. Should I go get Noah?"

"Yeah," James nods. "Our pizzas just went into the oven. Sadly we only have room for two at a time," he says for Carlos' benefit.

"That's fine, I don't mind waiting. This kitchen...I mean, this whole place...wow."

"It's nice," James agrees. "I've redone some of the decorating since Noah came to live here, but I still like it. Have you seen Kendall today?"

"No, I didn't work. He has school tonight."

"Yeah, I just talked to him. He's uh...he's the most incredible guy I've ever met. Has he been with a lot of guys?"

Carlos' lips twist as he reaches for a bowl of red sauce. "Is this the part where you grill me about my best friend's past?"

"Maybe. I can't help being curious."

"I get it," Carlos replies. "But neither can I, so let's make it fair. I'll answer your questions if you answer mine."

After a glance over at Logan, who's returning to the room with Noah in hand, James grins. "Deal. I'll give you the tour after dinner."

"Dude, I hate to do this, because I'm dying to hear the rest, but I've already been in here more than ten minutes. Annie's gonna kill me."

"She is not, I'm telling you, she loves you. But okay, I'll skip to the good stuff. So we made our pizzas and Noah barely said a word the whole time. But he's the same with Logan, and I know he likes Logan, so I didn't take it personally. We all sat around the kitchen table and talked while the pizzas were cooking, and James tried to get Noah into the conversation but the kid just shut down. He's good with him, though, I can tell that much."

"James?"

"Yeah. He's gonna be a great dad once Noah opens up. He's trying so hard."

"I know. He's already broken down twice and said he's going to take Noah back even though he wants to keep him."

"Don't let him do that, Kendall. It just takes time, and it's obvious how much he loves that kid already."

"I know," Kendall repeated. "So what happened after dinner?"

"Well we ate, and the kid may not speak much but he sure can eat. His pizza was smaller than ours but the kid ate the whole thing."

"Hey, Carlos."

"Yeah?"

"Noah. His name's Noah."

Carlos flushed. "Sorry. It's...I think I'm trying not to get attached."

"Don't do that. Noah needs people he can talk to. Don't keep him at a distance, even emotionally."

"Working on it," Carlos sighed.

"So he loved the pizza?"

"Scarfed that shit down. And then had some of mine. Mostly I was focused on Logan, but I was nice enough to at least offer some of my pizza to the...to Noah."

Kendall grinned. "Did you get to see the room?"

"Dude, it's awesome! They turned off the lights and everything glowed! I kind of wish I could sleep there every night!"

"Well, if you take the job maybe you could sleep on Noah's floor," Kendall teased, only half-joking. "Like a sleepover."

"Don't tempt me. So while the lights were still out, James was like 'Noah, can you come help me clean up the kitchen?' I figured it was to give them some bonding time, but also so me and Logan could be alone, you know? James isn't so bad after all."

"I told you," Kendall laughed. "He's amazing. What happened next?"

It's Logan who answers James' question. "Oh, I'll help you clean up!"

"Nah, me and Noah got this. We're the men of the house, we can handle a few dishes. Right, Noah?"

Their eyes have adjusted just enough that they can make out each others' silhouettes, but not facial expressions. Carlos assumes that Noah is in agreement, though, when the smaller silhouette moves toward the door that James opens, letting in light from the living room. He watches James place a hand on Noah's shoulder and step out, and then both he and Logan are plunged into darkness again.

This is his chance. His first time alone with Logan. He has to say something cool, something witty, something that will make Logan laugh and remember him. It's imperative.

What comes out is, "Tell me how the universe was formed."

The other silhouette freezes. "Pardon?"

"You know that, right? James said you were telling Noah about it earlier. I really don't know, so... would you mind explaining it to me?"

The black shadow still doesn't move. "Are you making fun of me?"

"No! No, I'm totally serious. I love to learn about stuff like that, I just don't really...retain. So maybe I'm kind of an idiot."

"That doesn't make you an idiot. Some people struggle with retention. It's not something you can control, though you can improve over time with mental exercises."

Carlos is already fighting a woody. "So I can get smarter?"

"How much you know or don't know isn't really a barometer of intellect. The most intelligent person on Earth could be someone who's never been in school, so most would think that person dumb. But truly, uneducated would be a more accurate term."

Carlos licks his lips, wishing he could touch Logan. Wishing he could at least see his face, look into those brown eyes. Instead, all he can hear is a voice, and in some ways it's like the fantasies he has in bed late at night, when there's no one around to make fun of him for getting off to the sound of a lecture. "So educate me," he whispers, breathless.

Logan hesitates. "You really want to stand here and listen to me lecture about cosmology?"

Oh, Jesus. Please. "I'd love it."

"Okay. I guess...well, most scientists think it started with the Big Bang. You've heard of that?"

"Like the show, right?"

"Yeah, like the show," Logan chuckles, and Carlos is thrilled to hear that Logan's relaxing. "But it's so much more than that."

He launches into a long study in words that wrap around Carlos like hands on his body, caressing him and burning him wherever the bigger words touch down. Logan's voice is quiet but authoritative, even when he admits that a lot of what he's expounding on is no more than theory or guesses. Five minutes in, Carlos' breathing is shallow and his fingers are digging into his thighs. He can picture Logan's face in his mind, see those brightly intelligent eyes even though his own eyes can't pick up anything except shadow in the dark.

Logan pauses finally, perhaps only then realizing that in his rapture for the subject he's moved around the room and is now mere inches from Carlos. "Does that answer your question?" he asks softly.

"Yeah," Carlos whispers. "You're the most beautiful thing I've ever known."

The silhouette is frozen for a moment before it backs away, then rushes to the door. "I'm gonna..."

Logan never says what it is he's intending to do, but Carlos knows. "Get away from you" is absolutely the end of that sentence. "Wait."

The door opens a crack, but Logan shows a modicum of courage and does, in fact, wait.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come on too strong. But I meant what I said. I wish you'd just give me a chance to know you."

Instead, Logan runs. Carlos hears him calling out to James that he has to go, thanks for dinner, and Noah it was a pleasure to meet you, he'll be back again. But he really has to go.

Only when the front door slams does Carlos step into the light. His gaze settles on a hazel one that stares back from the kitchen counter. "I see that went well."

Carlos shrugs. "I might've come on a little strong. Told him he's beautiful."

James shakes his head, but he's smiling. "No wonder he ran out of here. Compliments don't work on him, Carlos."

"I couldn't help it. He was talking science and I fell in love."

"Weirdo," James mutters, but then reaches for a dish towel and dries his hands on it. "Noah, we walked around all day at the zoo, you have to be filthy." He leans down to pick up his son, who hadn't been visible to Carlos from behind the counter. James sets him on the marble. "You ready for a bath?"

Noah shrugs, Carlos approaching slowly as if afraid to scare him off. "Do you usually take a bath by yourself or does grandma help you?"

Now Noah is terrified, probably as scared as Logan was as he shot out the front door. James tries a soothing tone. "We just want you to feel comfortable. How do you usually take a bath? Or is it a shower?" Noah shakes his head, not looking up. "Okay, so bath. Do you know how to wash yourself?" This time Noah hesitates.

"I'll go start the bath," Carlos offers. He finds the restroom, then uses it himself before washing his hands and starting to fill the tub with water. "Hey, James!" he yells, sticking his head outside the door. "You got any bubble bath? Dish soap even?"

Rather than an answer, what he finally gets is Noah coming around the corner, sans t-shirt and holding out a plastic bottle of yellow goo.

"Perfect. Thanks, buddy."

They hear James coming closer, and Noah suddenly slams the bathroom door closed and locks it before turning to Carlos with wide eyes. "Kendall said you can protect me."

Carlos blinks fast, the words surprising him, but he answers, "I can. I will."

"Don't let him hurt me."

Suddenly wondering if both he and Kendall, and even Harvey, has read James wrong, Carlos nods. "I swear. I'll keep you safe."

Noah swallows hard, then unlocks the door. James opens it and peeks inside, confused. "Everything okay?"

Noah says nothing, only bends down to pull his shoes off. Carlos meets James' eyes warily.

"Don't let him hurt me? Are you sure that's what he said?"

"Positive," Carlos nodded. "That kid is...Noah...is terrified of his father."

"But why? Don't even try to tell me James abuses him, I know better."

"So do I, which is why I didn't contact the police the second I walked out of there. I checked over Noah while we were giving him a bath, and no bruises. Nothing like that. The way James washed his hair, his hands were so gentle and he was so worried that he got shampoo in Noah's eyes...no. I don't believe it for a second. James isn't hurting that kid."

"Then why in the world would Noah think he might? Did his grandparents abuse him? Maybe a boyfriend of Shannon's? Do we even know anything about Shannon's past?"

"James might be able to find out."

"Did you tell James what he said?"

"No. Do you think I should've?"

Kendall bit his lip hard, thinking that over. "I don't know. I think it would devastate him. He already knows Noah's afraid of him, but that...oh, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you that I told Noah he could trust you. He thinks we're here specifically to keep him safe."

"Really? That's cool, I guess."

"I wanted him to trust you in case you do take the job. So are you going to?"

"Okay, so after Noah's bath we put him to bed and that was great. The kid has this...damn. Noah. Noah has this huge lion and he set it up at the foot of his bed, like the thing was watching over him as he sleeps. Then James and I talked for a long time. About you, about Logan, about Noah...about us. And yeah. I'm gonna take the job."

"Seriously? You're moving in?"

"Yeah. Financially I'd be stupid to pass that up. But more than that, I feel this...I don't know. Like this need to watch over Noah myself. He has a reason to be afraid, and he thinks it's James. You and I know better, but he must have a reason. So I want to be there for him."

"This is why you're my best friend," Kendall smiled, reaching over to hug Carlos to him. "Thank you. James is probably so relieved."

"I haven't told him yet. I wanted to sleep on it. But we talked enough that I'm not afraid of him anymore. I know him better. And dude, he is so in love with you."

"I know." He did know, but hearing it still made his heart flutter. "It's crazy how fast this all happened. What did you tell him about me?"

"Well, there's not a lot to tell. You haven't had a lot of boyfriends, and the ones you did lasted a long time, so..."

"Yeah. Did that help at all? Him hearing that my relationships last?"

"He wanted to know why they ended. If you left, or they did."

"It was never me."

"I told him that," Carlos nodded. "That you don't leave. That definitely helped. I think he's afraid you're gonna disappear."

"I know he is. What did he say about Logan?"

"Just that I have to be careful and not push too hard. That Logan will come around in his own time. He said Logan got hurt really bad by the last guy. Thought he knew him and everything was great. Was planning to propose. Then he found out the guy was cheating on him and had been for almost three years. With a ton of dudes. They lived together, Kendall. What kind of idiot would cheat on that?"

"An asshole. No wonder he's afraid to trust again."

"Yeah, James said he feels like it's useless to fall in love because he'll always worry now that a guy is cheating on him and he'll probably ruin it himself."

"Well, you're just gonna have to show him that not everyone is a cheating asshole."

"I plan to. James gave me his blessing."

"Really? That's fantastic!"

"Yeah, he said because you trust me, that's good enough for him. So...thanks. Now I just gotta figure out how to win Logan over."

"You'll have time and opportunity to do it. Anything else? I really have to go."

"I don't think so. Oh, James did mention he's taking Noah down Monday to register for school. He's really nervous about that."

"Shit, we were supposed to research that together. There hasn't been time. When are you moving in?"

"Our lease is up in a few weeks, which is about when James goes back to work. So that gives me time to pack and stuff. You'll help me move, right?"

"Plan it on a weekend and we'll probably all help you move. Even Logan, because James can talk him into it." Kendall stood, then hugged Carlos again once he'd done the same. "Thank you, Carlos. Between the two of us, we can get through to Noah. I'll try to talk to him tonight and find out why he's so afraid of James."

"Good call. Let me know." Carlos peeked out of the breakroom. "Shit, Annie looks pissed. She's having to deal with the register by herself because Glenn's on pick-up. Don't worry, I got this."

Kendall stepped out after Carlos, who was rushing over to Annie and hugged her from the side while the current customer looked on in concern.

"Thank you, Annie, I'm sorry I took Kendall but I wanted to die and now I know life is worth living." His fake sobs were loud but effective, Annie twisting to hug him closer.

"Carlos, it's gonna be okay. I promise. Whatever happened, we're here for you. You're not alone."

"I know. Thank you so much!" He pressed his hands to his eyes, making a scene of staggering toward the front door. "Kendall, you're the best!" he called back, then ran out past a couple entering the coffeehouse, who watched him go in bewilderment.

Before returning to the customer, Annie looked over at Kendall. "Is he gonna be okay?"

"He will be," Kendall promised, fighting a smirk. "In time."

"Okay. Well, then. So sorry about that, where were we?"

Kendall gave into the smirk as he turned away from Annie.

Only Carlos.