Today, he couldn’t be dressed more differently – in clothes Damon had bought him. He was wearing black slacks and matching penny loafers along with an oversized plum-colored cashmere sweater that was constantly threatening to fall off his shoulder. (Not that anyone could see that considering Micah had layered a heavy jacket over the ensemble. He’d even put on a hat and gloves, knowing Damon got huffy when Micah didn’t dress appropriately for the weather.)

Micah had no idea what sort of car Caprice drove, and she hadn’t seen fit to tell him over the phone, so he leaned nervously against the brick exterior of El Taco Rosa, keeping an eye out for what he assumed would be some ostentatious vehicle – a bright red Ferrari or maybe a flashy Cadillac.

He was surprised when a discreet, black Volvo pulled up in front of him. Doubly so when the passenger’s window rolled down to reveal Caprice’s husband, Jason, behind the wheel.

“Hey,” he said, offering Micah a friendly grin as he stretched over the seat and opened the door. “Caprice told me you needed a ride to our place.”

It figured she couldn’t be bothered to come get him herself. “Uh, yeah, thanks,” Micah said, hopping into the car and making sure to shut the door behind himself. “I hope she didn’t strong-arm you into picking me up. I could have just taken the subway or gotten an Uber if I’d known she didn’t feel like getting me herself.”

Jason raised his eyebrows incredulously as he carefully rejoined traffic. “Damon allows you to take public transport?”

Micah felt a twinge of annoyance at Jason’s obvious disbelief. “I’m not sure what you think you know about my relationship with Damon, but he’s not actually in charge of me.” He lifted his arm and flashed Jason his watch. “Besides, he got me this – panic button and all.”

Jason stiffened, seemingly surprised by that – for all of a second, anyway – before his shoulders loosened and his face morphed back into its default benign expression. He was quiet for some minutes. “I didn’t mean it as an insult,” he said eventually. “Damon is just well-known for his… protective streak,” he settled on eventually. “I would know, seeing as I married one of his sisters.”

“My condolences,” Micah muttered under his breath – though not quietly enough judging by Jason’s sudden bark of laughter.

“Caprice is… a handful,” he admitted cautiously after regaining control of himself.

“That’s one way of putting it.”

“She’s like her brother – overly protective of those she loves. She thinks you’re only with Damon for his money and that you’re bound to leave him heartbroken,” Jason said, surprisingly candid.

“Is that what you think?”

Jason shrugged. “Doesn’t matter what I think. Damon obviously cares for you so her behavior is unacceptable. I’m sorry.”