Page 58 of The Beast's Heart

Geoff looks between us, eyes narrowing a little.

“If you could give us a moment?” Adam says, and at first I think he’s speaking to me and I’m about to slide out, but his gaze is fixed on Geoff.

“Sure, whatever.” Geoff leaves.

Adam sighs. “One day he’ll learn manners.”

“Ah, but would it really be the same Geoff if he did?”

He snorts and reaches into a pocket to dig out a credit card. “I like your idea. I actually thought of it, you know, when we were refurbishing? But as you’ve probably gathered by now, I have as little taste as Geoff has tact.” He passes me the card.

“It’s probably just as well you left the rooms a blank slate. It means we have more freedom to adapt each space to fit each specific child.”

“We?”

“Well yes, I think it’s something they’d appreciate coming from you. You’re their foster father after all.”

His gaze drops to the book and he runs a hand absently over the embossed title. “Father,” he repeats softly.

“It will mean more coming from you. Of course I’m happy to help.”

He nods without looking up. “Belle, I should…”

I can sense where this is going. “Don’t overthink it. I’ll sit with you. We can pick out some things together.”

He seems to brighten at this. “Okay.”

I hand the card back to him.

Geoff is lurking outside the door when I leave. He appears to be busy on his phone. Which would be more believable if we had signal.

“What was that about?” he asks with feigned casualness.

I don’t want to cause any drama between them so, as tempting as it is to tell him to mind his own business, I say, “Just something for the children.”

He hums as if he doesn’t believe me. “Did you consider my offer?”

“Offer?”

“Boxing lessons? You could use the physical exercise.” His gaze moves down me, hovers around my middle.

I fold my arms around myself protectively. Maybe I have been over indulging a little in Ray’s excellent cooking.

“Thank you but I’ve never really been one for the gym life.”

“No shit.” But he smiles and there doesn’t seem to be any malice in it. “That’s why I’m offeringlessons, Teach. Aren’t you bored out of your mind out here?”

I certainly won’t be now I have access to that library.

“Come on, may as well use this time for self-improvement. You’re a gay man. You know what gay men are like.”

I will my ears not to go pink even as I feel them heat. “I’ve read the studies.”

Studies that say appearance is a high priority among gay men, that failure to measure up to the masculine ideal is likely to end in a lifetime of loneliness. The knowledge is a dark hole in the pit of my stomach.

He laughs like I’ve just told the funniest joke he’s ever heard. I suppose it is pretty funny that I know more about my own community from academic articles than from experience.

“Trust me, once I’m done with you, you’ll have your pick. MagicMirror won’t know what hit it.”

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