"Just call me . . . Everest."

That was what the dream-version of Booty Prince had murmured against Noah's ears just a couple of hours ago . . .

At that time, Noah hadn't thought much of it.

Because, well, it had been just a dream --a very silly (and at the same time, way-too-hot) dream that his brain had decided to cook up for some reason.

It wasn't real.

Just my mind playing tricks on me . . .

Nothing more. Nothing less.

No need to think too hard about it . . .

Also, who the fuck even takes their dreams seriously?

Not me, for sure . . .

. . . Right?

But now, standing in front of the real-version of his Booty Prince --no, Everest Ross (and for fuck's sake, Noah really needed to stop calling him that)-- Noah wasn't so sure of himself anymore.

He wondered, for the first time in his life, if that weird sickness --that weird being-- living inside of him, had somehow cursed him with a . . . twisted prophetic dream of some sort -- something that had given him a totally unwanted glimpse into the future . . .

Is this some seer bullshit?

Because how in the absolute hell had his sleep-deprived brain made that connection?

How had it even reached the conclusion that the nameless man --with those stunning pistachio-green eyes-- Noah had been shamelessly mooning over, was, indeed, Everest Ross?

It makes no sense!

. . . And the fact that he's the one I'm supposed to make jealous . . .

Oh god . . .

How am I ever gonna get that shit done?

"Mmmm . . . yes! Just like that!" Katrina suddenly purred from her lazy perch on Everest's lap, breaking the line of Noah's spiralling thoughts. "Oh, Everest, you really give the best head scratches in the world! I swear it on my whiskers!"

This pampered little fur-ball--

"Hey guys! Over here!" Cole cheerfully hollered, lifting a hand to wave at his niche little friend group lounging around the VIP table --Everest and Melissa included, of course.

The buzz of conversation going on around the VIP table dimmed as heads began to turn --curious glances drifting and then landing squarely on Cole and Noah.

Cole chose that exact moment to step closer --like he'd been waiting for it-- leaning in until the side of his head rested comfortably against Noah's left deltoid, while his other hand slid into Noah's; their fingers threading together.

"Don't mess this up," Cole hissed, giving a light squeeze on Noah's thumb.

Noah didn't respond.
Didn't move.
Didn't even acknowledge Cole's tight grip on his hand.

He just couldn't.

Not when his attention was already locked forward; fixed on those . . . those hypnotic pistachio-green eyes of Everest Ross --who had also looked up along with everyone else.

Did he recognize me yet?

A faint crease formed between Everest's perfectly arched brows as he held Noah's gaze; his hands coming to a sudden halt on Katrina's snowy fur.

"Hey! Why would you stop?" Katrina complained, twisting on Everest's lap and rubbing herself against his sky-blue spider-silk shirt.

Everest's eyes widened as recognition finally kicked in; a puzzled smile settling at the corners of his lips --probably trying to figure out what on earth Noah was even doing here.

He remembers me . . .

Well, of course, he does.

Hard not to . . . with that absolute cluster-fuck of an impression I left earlier . . .

And then Everest's green-eyed gaze flicked sideways, landing right on Cole this time --taking in the way Cole was practically draped over Noah --fingers interlaced and all; like a newlywed couple still going through their honeymoon phase.

Fuck, Noah cursed internally, breath stuttering in his lungs, as he watched the not-so-subtle shift in Everest's expression --that chiseled jaw tightening with realization, those blush pink lips pressing into a thin line, all warmth draining away from those gorgeous eyes . . .

And when those eyes finally drifted back to Noah once again --after what felt like an eternity but was probably just a couple of seconds-- it was like an arctic blizzard slamming straight into him --so cold and sharp that Noah physically recoiled, a wince flashing across his face.

That can't be good.

Not good at all . . .

"Ugh, ignore that whore and his new boy-toy," Katrina meowed, swishing up her fluffy tail to tickle under Everest's chin. "Eyes on me, please. Hands too."

Melissa angled herself towards Everest; her red lips hovering near his ear while her narrowed gaze stayed firmly locked on Noah.

"That's him . . . the new boyfriend," she murmured to Everest --voice pitched low enough that the words should have never reached Noah's ears.

But Noah heard it all anyway --thanks to his not-so-normal eardrums.

"I . . . see," Everest hummed; pistachio-green eyes lingering on Cole and Noah's joined hands.

"He looks . . . a bit different today," muttered Melissa as her ocean blue eyes dragged over Noah's body, more scrutinizing this time.

Noah fought the urge to squirm under all that undivided attention.

It feels like being peeled open layer by layer . . .

"Hmm . . . he had his glasses on yesterday," said Melissa, voice more thoughtful now. "But that's not--oh!" Her eyes suddenly snapped wide, shoulders straightening, "Eve! Do you--do you see that? He's wearing--"

"Calm down, Mel," said Everest, placing a steady hand on her thigh.

"But--He's--"

"I noticed, Mel," Everest spoke, voice soft as silk; thumb tracing a small circle near her knee. "It's . . . not a big deal."

"What--I--Eve! Of course, it's a big deal!" Melissa protested, "He can't just--"

"Mel."

Okay . . . what are they even on about?

Melissa let out a sharp exhale, clearly frustrated, "We should at least say something. I bet Cole--"

"No need," Everest gave a small shake of his head, "They're here for breakfast. Just let them be. No need to make a scene."

"But--" Melissa chewed on her bottom lip, eyes darting between Noah and Cole for a while. Then, folding her arms tightly across her chest, she finally grunted out a reluctant, "Fine!"

"Thanks for understanding, Mel," Everest said, giving one last pat on her thigh before moving his hand back on Katrina; his fingers sliding through her plush fur, giving her a slow scratch behind the ears.

"Ahh . . . I love you, Everest," Katrina purred, melting into his touch with her eyes drifting shut.

"Hey babygirl," Everest cooed at the cat, "Time to go back to your Mama."

"What--hey! Why so soon?" Before the ragdoll could fully protest though, Everest lifted her up, then gently set her down into Melissa's lap.

"But I wanted more head pats!" Katrina whined, curling herself half-heartedly into Melissa's arms with the energy of someone who had just been deeply betrayed by some customer service.

Everest stood up, straightening to his full height --his elegant fingers brushing off a few stray white hairs Katrina had left behind on his fitted charcoal trousers.

Noah's eyes eagerly tracked the movement of those long legs, and he wondered --for the hundredth time now-- how it would feel to have those legs tightly wrapped around his waist . . .

Noah!

Focus!

Put a leash on your goddamn thoughts before you end up with a boner in public . . .

Noah felt the lub-dub of his heart kick up ten-fold as Everest moved towards him --well, not him exactly, but towards Cole-- closing the distance between them in a few long, unhurried strides.

"Hey, Cols," said Everest as he finally came to stop in front of them; a smile settling on his handsome face --entirely hollow and fake. "It's been a while."

_________________________________

A/N:- This story is written for entertainment purposes only! I don't intend to disrespect anyone. So, please, don't feel offended by any parts of it. ^^

CHAPTER WORD-COUNT - 1252