Page 21 of The Science of Attraction

Zach reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “I’m sorry if I inadvertently gave anything away.”

“You didn’t,” Gil assured him.

I returned Zach’s squeeze. “It’s okay. Maybe it’s time.”

Holden’s cheeks fired bright red. “Will somebody please tell me what you’re talking about?”

Gil leaned sideways and kissed his boyfriend’s cheek. “God love you, baby,Icertainly do, but some days you need a sat nav just to find your arsehole.”

Zach choked on a laugh. “Oh my god, can I use that?”

“No, you can’t.” Gil stroked Holden’s cheek. “We’re talking about the fact that Jules happens to be part of our little group of alphabet friends.”

“Alphabet...?” Holden took a second to run that through his brain before he turned his widening eyes on me. “You’re gay?”

“Bi.”

He frowned and sat back with a stunned look on his face. “I... but... how did I not know this?”

I grinned. “Maybe because I’ve spent all my life dating women. And you haven’t answered my question, Gil. About how you knew.” Just how fucking obvious had I been that a guy I’d known for only eighteen months had seen right through me.

Gil sighed. “Don’t look so worried. It was just a feeling. I’m a psychologist, for fuck’s sake. Observing people and making deductions is what I do. And like I said, I wasn’t sure until I saw you walk in tonight with Liam. You were staring at his arse like it was your favourite ice-cream.”

Oh.Heat radiated up my face.

Holden’s eyes blew wide. “How come I didn’t seeanyof that? Am I really that fucking oblivious?”

There were snorts of laughter and Gil patted Holden’s cheek. “Yes, you are. But I happen to love that about you. You are one hundred percent focused on what’s really important, the things that matter to you and the station and us. Especially themepart of all that. The rest is background noise to you, and I wouldn’t change that for the world.”

Zach’s gaze turned slowly to mine, his brows up in his hairline. “Like an ice-cream, Jules?” He smirked. “Really? And you are so fucking blushing up a storm there, bro, just so you know.”

“Oh my god, I am going to kill you.”

“Who’s blushing?” Liam appeared with a tray of drinks and the table fell silent.

“No comment,” I grumbled, reaching for a light beer.

“I can take him home if you like?” Luke offered, earning himself a glare from Zach.

“If I thought he’d go, I might take you up on it.” I pushed an IPA Luke’s way. “But we both know you’re putty in my brother’s hands.”

Luke nodded slowly. “This is unfortunately true. It’s a crippling responsibility, but somebody has to love him, ri—ow!”

Zach retrieved his elbow from Luke’s ribs. “I’m fucking easy to love. The easiest thing in the world. You say it all the fucking time.”

“Of course you are, my little cupcake.” Luke slid a hand around Zach’s neck and tried to pull him in for a kiss.

But Zach resisted, narrowing his gaze on his boyfriend. “You’re fucking with me.”

“Mmm. Maybe.” Luke leaned in. “But how about you kiss me anyway?”

Zach sighed and did as he was asked, muttering, “I want it noted that I am complying under duress.”

They kissed again, and then all four of them began arguing about whether to go with starters or save themselves room for dessert.

A thigh juggled against mine and I turned to find Liam’s bright hazel eyes just inches away. “They’re pretty damn cute.”

I followed his gaze and smiled. “Yeah, they are.”

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