“Cotton candy!” Edward exclaimed, and he looked so excited that Kenneth was more than a little amused by the sight. “I’ll have some of that, along with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I also want a spoonful of melted chocolate all over the ice cream.”

Kenneth thought that was cute. He was simultaneously astonished because he remembered Nedned liking the same thing. It was probably just a coincidence. Then he was shocked when Edward combined a bit of cotton candy with the ice cream and melted chocolate before shoving the entire thing into his mouth. That habit was exactly the same as Nedned. Kenneth studied Edward’s facial features more carefully before eyeing the rest of the man’s body. Based on what he could remember, Nedned was a chubby little kid, but the boy was cute. He had beautifully expressive eyes, a nose that had been too big for his small face, and lips that were pinkish in color. Kenneth stared at Edward who bore an incredibly striking resemblance to Nedned. In fact, he was pretty certain Nedned would have grown up to look almost like Edward, but he wasn’t one hundred percent positive. His curiosity was overwhelming him. He had to know for sure.

“Nedned,” Kenneth said the nickname loudly.

He didn’t know what he was hoping for. Maybe Edward wouldn’t react at all. However, he immediately looked at Kenneth, and he seemed taken aback.

“Did you just call me Nedned?”

“Yeah, I did.”

Edward beamed. “Hot damn! That was my childhood nickname, but I hadn’t heard it for so long. How did you know about it?”

Kenneth couldn’t contain his excitement anymore. He rushed toward Edward and hugged the man tightly. He could feel Edward stiffening in response so he pulled away slightly before grinning at the man.

“Nedned, it’s me!”

Edward looked bewildered. “Me who?”

“Cancan!” Kenneth exclaimed while stepping back a little.

Edward gaped for a second or two. Then he smiled widely.

“Oh, my God! Are you serious?”

“Yes!”

In the next instant, Edward had both arms around Kenneth’s back. “I can’t believe that we finally meet up again after so many years. How long has it been?”

“Twenty-six years.”

“Damn! You’re an old man now.”

Kenneth huffed, but he was more amused than annoyed. “You’re no spring chicken yourself. You’re thirty-two years old, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, but you’re much older than me.”

“Asshole! I’m only thirty-six.”

Edward chortled. “Old man.”

“Fuck off! You’re even more of a brat now.”

“Always have been, always will be.”

“Ha! If you continue to misbehave, I’ll spank you. Hard.”

Edward stepped back before slowly letting go of Kenneth. “You’re still taller and bigger than me.”

“Always have been, always will be,” Kenneth teased Edward before winking at his old friend. “How tall are you anyway?”

“Five feet, eight inches.”

“I’m two inches taller.”

Edward audibly scoffed. “A mere two inches.”

“Jealous?”

“No.”

“Liar,” Kenneth retorted while carefully studying Edward from head to toe. “You obviously work out, man. How heavy are you?”

“One hundred and sixty-five pounds. I’m muscular enough without being overly bulky.”

“I can see that. I weigh one hundred and eighty-two pounds.”

“Of fats?”

Kenneth almost raised both of his middle fingers, but he stopped himself in the nick of time. He could tell that many people were glancing in his and Edward’s direction.

“Muscles, you brat!”

Edward chortled. “I know. I was just messing around with you.”

“Jerk! I should really whoop your ass.”

“Do it, and I’ll bite your hand off.”

Kenneth snickered. “Scary. Anyway, do you have any plans later this evening?”

“None. I also don’t have any specific activities to do tomorrow and Sunday. Do you have time to hang out with me?”

“Of course. Let’s exchange numbers.”

Edward and Kenneth did that, and after they were done, they decided to have dinner together later in the evening. Kenneth was beyond excited. He couldn’t wait to reconnect with Edward in a more relaxed setting. It would be fun.