Page 29 of Something Unprofessional

He was sitting on the end of the bed, trying and failing to find the room reservations on his phone, with classic Scooby-Doo on the TV for background noise, when Gabe reemerged from the bathroom.

Ev glanced over, stalled, then hauled his eyes back to the screen. Craaaaap. What had he done to deserve this? Gabecrossed the room, and Ev did his absolute best to ignore him and his bare freaking chest as Gabe passed between the bed and the TV. That photo from the gym hadn’t done him justice. Ev couldn’t keep his gaze from drifting while Gabe retrieved his clothes. His back was a work of art. Ev could use him to teach an anatomy lesson—well, okay, he’d gotten a C in anatomy, but he would have been a much better student if his teacher had used Gabe for reference. Gabe shrugged on a crisp white button-down, and it was like freaking porn in reverse. Why hadn’t Ev insisted on undressing the man when they were still fucking? He’d squandered the opportunity to get his hands all over that, and now he’d have to live with the regret forever.

“I’d offer to let you take a picture, but that’s probably against the rules.”

Ev’s eyes snapped up to find Gabe smirking at him as he did up the buttons on his shirt. “Shut up. I wasn’t looking,” he grumbled. “I didn’t even see you there.” He ignored the heat rushing to his cheeks. “I was—I was just going over the schedule for this afternoon in my head. We have a busy day, and I don’t want to forget anything.”

“Of course,” Gabe said, his eyes dipping to where Ev’s pants had become uncomfortably tight.

Ev gritted his teeth, seething and not sure if he was more upset with Gabe for calling him out or himself for being so affected. This was going to be the longest three days of his life.

“Finny!” Ev flew acrossthe lobby and crashed into his best friend, wrapping his arms around him in an enthusiastic hug. “Oh my god! I thought you weren’t getting here till tomorrow.”

Finn laughed and hugged him back. “Surprise,” he said, squeezing him tight.

Ev gave him a little shake, his excitement bubbling over. “This is so awesome. Please tell me this means you have time to hang out.”

Finn grinned and ran a hand though his hair. Ev still wasn’t used to the new, shorter cut, but it suited Finn and showed off the cool, mismatched eyes he used to try to hide. “That’s the plan. Xavi made us all dinner reservations in the hotel restaurant.”

Ev turned to Gabe, who had finally caught up, and leveled him with a glare. “Did you change the schedule without telling me?”

Gabe raised his hands in mock surrender. “Don’t blame me. This was all Finn.”

Ev turned back to Finn with a wide grin. “So awesome.” He took Finn’s arm, linking their elbows together. “Tell me all about everything. I missed you,” he said, leading the way to the restaurant.

Finn laughed. “You saw me a few weeks ago, and we talk on the phone all the time.”

Ev shook his head. It wasn’t the same. “But so much has changed. You have a whole new business, and I have—” He stumbledto a stop.

No way.

Ev turned wide eyes on Finn, who giggled. No freaking way. Ev turned slowly back to the man leaning against the wall near the host stand.

Remy freaking Dalton.

Holy shitballs. Somebody pinch him. Remy Dalton, A-list actor and newly out gay icon, was standing ten feet away from Ev in all his silver-fox glory. Ev’s thirteen-year-old self was melting into a puddle of hormones right now. The man in front of him had been his big awakening, and Ev had had so many fantasies about meeting him. And now, Ev was looking at him. In real life. He might pass out.

“Hey, Remy,” Finny said, releasing Ev and stepping forward for a hug. His shy, can’t-talk-around-hot-guys best friend was touching Remy Dalton. Hugging him. And getting cheek kisses.Cheek kisses.Ev knew the two of them had somehow become friends, but seeing it in person waswild.

“Hey, pet,” Remy said, holding Finn by the shoulders and giving him a once-over. “Looking good.”

Finn grinned and blushed while Xavier greeted Remy as well. The two were clearly old friends. Then Remy turned back to Ev and his boss.

“Gabe,” Remy said, clapping him on the shoulder and pulling him into something that was half hug, half handshake. “It’s been a while.”

Gabe returned the gesture. “Not long enough,” he joked, then stepped back. “I hear things have been going well.”

Remy threw back his head and laughed, drawing appreciative looks from the people nearby, including Ev. “I’m glad that’s the rumor. It means Xavier is still doing his job.”

Gabe chuckled. “It seems his relocating to the mountains has been a win all around.”

Xavier rolled his eyes at them. “Thank you both for your support.” He wrapped an arm around Finn’s shoulders and tugged him close.

Ev was just starting to feel a little left out when Remy’s eyes landed on him, and all the air left his lungs.

“And who is this?” Remy asked, smiling warmly. “Wait, don’t tell me. You’re Ev.” He glanced to Finn for confirmation.

Remy Dalton knew his name.

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