It had been a long time coming. Jude Kinkade was almost certain he'd never see Zero again after that day in the tunnel, when Zero walked away and left him with nothing but the echo of his own heartbeat. But miracles happened sometimes — or at least, Jude liked to think so. Zero had come back. He had walked right back into Jude's life like he had never left, with the same cocky smirk, the same smooth swagger, and that same damn way of looking at Jude like he was the only thing in the world worth looking at.
So, when Zero suggested they take a honeymoon — even though they were already married and technically past the honeymoon phase — Jude said yes. Because when you've already lost something once, you don't say no to having it back.
That's how they ended up in Sicily, at one of the most luxurious resorts on the island. Sun, sea, sand, and an outrageous price tag — exactly Zero's vibe. Jude preferred the quiet, understated things, but he wasn't going to complain. His husband wanted to treat him, and if there was one thing Jude had learned about Zero over the years, it was to let the man have his way — especially when it involved six-figure resort bills and the best suite in the house.
They arrived at the poolside early on a Thursday morning, sunglasses on, linen shirts open just enough to make heads turn. Zero was wearing those ridiculous Gucci slides Jude hated but secretly found hot, while Jude had opted for a simple white button-down and navy swim trunks.
Jude sighed, adjusting his sunglasses. "Are we really doing this?"
"Doing what?" Zero smirked, leaning back into his lounger with a stretch that showed off the definition in his chest. "Relaxing by the pool? Enjoying the fact that my husband looks hot as hell in Sicily? Yeah, Jude, we're doing this."
Jude rolled his eyes, but he was smiling. He took a sip of his Aperol Spritz, feeling the sun on his face, and for a brief moment, it felt like nothing could ruin this day.
That's when they arrived.
Daphne and Cameron Sullivan were the kind of couple that made you hate couples. Blonde, beautiful, and rich — not just rich, rich rich — the kind of rich that made Zero and Jude look like interns at a start-up. Daphne was draped in a white designer cover-up, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders in loose waves that screamed 'I woke up like this' but definitely involved a hair team. Cameron was in crisp blue swim trunks and designer sunglasses that probably cost more than Jude's car.
Trailing behind them like afterthoughts were Harper and Ethan Spiller. Harper's face was pinched, the kind of woman who probably only booked this trip because her therapist told her to try bonding exercises. Ethan looked… well, like a man whose wife had dragged him here.
Jude immediately felt the shift in the air.
"Oh god," Zero said under his breath.
"What?" Jude asked.
"I've seen this movie before," Zero replied, sitting up slightly. "It's called We're About to Hate These People."
Daphne and Cameron claimed the poolside seats right next to Jude and Zero, because of course they did. Daphne smiled brightly at them.
"Hi!" she said in that high, bubbly voice that could only belong to someone with a trust fund and a country club membership. "I'm Daphne! This is my husband Cameron!"
"Hey." Cameron nodded, already clocking Zero's watch.
"Jude," Jude said politely, extending a hand. "This is Zero."
"Zero?" Cameron repeated, raising his brows. "Cool name."
"It's not a name. It's a brand," Zero said smoothly, flashing his diamond-studded smile.
Jude groaned internally. Here we go.
"You guys married?" Daphne asked, clearly delighted by the idea.
"Yeah," Jude replied.
"Wow!" Daphne gushed. "That's so cute. I just love seeing gay couples being so open these days. It's really inspiring."
Jude's smile froze. "Uh… thanks?"
"I mean, it's so hard, you know? Being together in this climate?" Daphne continued.
Zero snorted. "Yeah. Definitely hard to be married when you're sitting by the pool at a five-star resort in Sicily."
Daphne didn't pick up on the sarcasm. Cameron chuckled.
"You guys staying long?" Cameron asked.
Jude hesitated. "A few weeks."
"Oh, us too!" Daphne beamed. "We booked the cabana for tomorrow. It's supposed to be amazing. Comes with champagne and a private butler."
Zero's brows lifted. "The cabana?"
"Mm-hmm." Daphne smiled proudly. "We were lucky to get it. It's usually booked months in advance."
Jude saw the look in Zero's eyes — the one that meant Zero had already decided he was going to get that cabana.
"You know," Zero said, standing up, "we should check if it's available."
Jude's eyes widened. "Zero—"
"Stay here, babe," Zero said, already walking toward the poolside concierge.
"Wait — what are you doing?" Jude called after him.
Cameron raised an eyebrow. "Uh… I don't think you're gonna get it."
"Oh, he'll get it," Jude replied dryly.
Sure enough, five minutes later, Zero returned, holding out a keycard with a smug smile.
"Seriously?" Jude said.
"Seriously," Zero replied, kissing him on the cheek.
Daphne's mouth dropped open. "Wait — that's the cabana key!"
"Yeah," Zero said, slipping the keycard into his pocket. "Turns out it was available after all."
"But we booked it!" Cameron protested.
"Oops," Zero replied, his smile widening.
Daphne stood up. "This is unacceptable. We're going to talk to the manager."
"Please do," Zero said cheerfully.
Daphne dragged Cameron toward the concierge desk, where they were met with a sympathetic-looking manager who was already shaking his head.
"Oh my god," Jude whispered.
"Come on," Zero said, grabbing his hand. "Let's go enjoy our cabana."
They made their way toward the cabana — which was exactly as excessive and luxurious as advertised. White silk drapes framed the private space, which included plush chaise lounges, a stocked minibar, and a bottle of chilled Dom Pérignon.
"Wow," Jude muttered, settling onto the lounge chair. "This is petty even for you."
"Petty?" Zero repeated. "Jude, we're married now. Petty is a marital right."
Jude laughed despite himself.
About thirty minutes later, Daphne and Cameron returned, both looking irate. Daphne spotted them and marched straight up to the cabana.
"Excuse me!" she snapped. "We booked this!"
"And now we have it," Zero replied, sipping his champagne.
"You can't just buy things away from people!" Cameron shouted.
"Oh," Zero said, his smile turning sharp. "I absolutely can."
Daphne's face flushed red. "This isn't over."
"I'm sure it's not," Zero said coolly. "But you'll have to excuse us. My husband and I are on our honeymoon."
Cameron's jaw clenched. Harper and Ethan were watching from a distance, Harper shaking her head in secondhand embarrassment.
Daphne crossed her arms. "You're not gonna get away with this."
"Why not?" Zero said, his gaze steely. "We already have."
Jude sighed. "Oh my god, this is gonna be a thing, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Zero replied, reaching for Jude's hand. "But at least it'll be fun."
And as Daphne and Cameron stormed off toward the bar, Jude realized that maybe — just maybe — he was going to enjoy being married to Zero after all.