Page 79 of Firecracker

“You drink whatever you like, Norton,” Arden said, squeezing his shoulder.

Norton shot her a look of near adoration.

Arden was always so kind and respectful to Norton, despite his idiosyncrasies.

Just as she was leaving to get their drinks, Danny arrived.

He was greeted with enthusiasm, except for Norton who hadn’t met him yet. Jamie made introductions, and Danny sat in the empty spot next to Norton on the couch opposite Tyler.

“What can I bring you to drink, Danny?” Arden asked.

“Jack and Coke, please.”

“You got it.”

“So, Danny,” Norton said. “We were just talking. What do you think…how long does it take you to know you’re attracted to a woman?”

Danny smiled. “Long. Very long. In fact, never.”

“Huh?”

“I’m gay. I’m not attracted to women.”

Norton’s mouth fell open. “Oh.”

Tyler grinned. “Okay, how about men?”

Danny cocked his head. “I dunno…maybe a minute. Or less.”

Norton shot Danny a suspicious look and shifted away from him on the couch. Tyler winced and shook his head.

“Don’t worry, Norton. I’m not attracted to you.” Danny patted Norton’s knee and Norton nearly leaped off the couch.

Everyone else laughed.

“Thatguy,” Danny said, nodding toward the bar. “Nowhe’sattractive.”

They all turned to look at Liam.

As if sensing their interest, Liam looked up and gave them one of his usual cocky smiles. He handed Arden the last of their drinks, which she loaded onto the tray. When she started toward them, Liam followed her.

“Hello, mates,” Liam said. “Is lovely Arden here looking after you well?”

“Absolutely.”

“Yeah.”

They were all enthusiastic in their praise of Arden to her boss. Her cheeks flushed as she set their drinks on the table. Tyler studied her legs, her skirt riding higher as she bent over. He wanted to slide his hands up the backs of her thighs… Yeah, he was a perv. He got annoyed at Norton, yet he was just as bad. Maybe not quite as inappropriate as Norton.

“We haven’t met,” Liam said to Danny, eyeing him with as much interest as Danny had showed in him.

Apparently the attraction was mutual.

Arden blinked, clutching her tray, watching her boss.

“Hey, Liam, this is Danny,” Jamie said. “Danny, Liam. Liam owns this place.”

“That I do. Pleased to meet you, Danny.”

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