Page 101 of I Think They Love You

They both freeze, mouths open.

“I mean,” Denz stutters.

“It’s kind of,” Braylon attempts.

Nora tilts her head, confused. Kenneth rocks on his heels in that impatient way Denz recognizes from childhood.

With a deep breath, he collects himself.

“January, officially. After the holidays. But we started seeing each other again around Halloween.” An unhealthy amount of sweat dribbles down his spine. “It’s a funny story.”

Denz recounts the same reunion story Braylon told on Valentine’s Day. He recites what he remembers. The party and the doughnut, their long walk through the city. He clocks the unanticipated tenderness shifting through his dad’s features, as if he’s reallyhearingthe story this time. Like he believes it.

“A second-chance romance,” Nora gushes. “How beautiful.”

Kenneth nods his approval.

Denz feels his heart slow to its normal, steady rhythm.

As one song fades into another, Braylon says, “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’ve yet to dance with mygorgeousboyfriend.” His eyes land affectionately on Denz. “I’d hate to waste such a lovely party.”

Nora says, “We’ll talk more at the offices.”

Braylon ushers him toward the fountain. On the way, hesteals a shot glass off a waiter’s tray, wincing as he downs it in one swallow.

Denz laughs.

Unfortunately, their dancing is like two plastic Ken dolls shoved together. Middle-school-level awkwardness. They fight over who should lead, then whoshouldn’tas they collide with more than one couple.

“Have you always been this horrible?” Braylon asks.

“You’re no Usher, either.”

“You’re like a drunk Ewok.”

Denz rolls his eyes. “Has anyone ever explained to you whatrhythmis?”

After the first chorus, a miracle happens. Braylon’s hands settle on Denz’s hips. Denz’s arms lock around his neck. They’re buzzed, stepping on each other’s feet, but it works. Somehow, it feels like…them.

Braylon’s soft baritone voice sings, “And you take me the way I am.”

“Oh my God.” Denz cackles. “You know thewords?”

“It’s a good song!”

Evidently. It’s been played hundreds of times during engagement announcements, wedding receptions, and romance movies Denz has seen. But this is a startling revelation. After so many years together, Denz thought he knew everything about Braylon. But he guesses that’s the thing about great relationships:

You can spend a lifetime with someone, and they never fail to surprise you with another side of themselves.

Long fingers squeeze his waist. Denz’s eyes lift. “Thanks,” Braylon mumbles. “For what you did back there.”

“It’s in the agreement,” Denz insists. “You lie for me. I lie for you.”

“You do realize how problematic that sounds, right?”

“Tell that to Margaret Tate and Andrew Paxton.”

“Who?”

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