Page 129 of I Think They Love You

“For the record—I’m always looking,” Javi says. His eyes roam Denz’s face, then lower, those dimples relentless. “In case you’re evernotgood.”

He steps around Denz to get to the front counter.

Denz waits three minutes, enough time for Javi to order and walk away, before he tugs out his phone to call Kami. He can’t let this continue. It’s time for 24 Carter Gold to get back into the wedding industry. Prove to everyone they’re still the best event company in Atlanta.

Turning, he almost slams right into Braylon.

“He-hi-lo,” he stumbles out.

“’Ello.” Braylon’s gaze looks past Denz. To the bar where Matty’s passing off a drink to Javi. “Another friend of yours?”

Denz doesn’t know why his face blisters. Or why he’s laughing nervously as he says, “Not likethat. Just my aunties interfering in my life. Back when they still didn’t like you.”

Braylon hums.

“They won’t shut up about you now,” Denz adds. “My uncles too. Everyone’s in love with you. You’re doing a great job.”

“A job,” Braylon deadpans.

“And my dad’s finally coming around.”

An hour ago, after another meeting, Kenneth didn’t make his usual judging face when Denz said he was meeting Braylon for lunch. That counts, right?

“He’s nothing,” Denz whispers as Javi exits the café.

“Like Matty?”

Denz fights a flinch. “Both. Nothing at all.”

A beat. Braylon motions toward the counter. “Shall we?”

After ordering and avoiding eye contact with Matty, Denz leads them to the corner table. He licks sugar from his blueberry-lemon scone off his thumb. “This is a new look.”

Braylon’s in a soft hoodie, jeans, and sneakers. All black. “We were rearranging the furniture. Nora’s hosting a movie night,” he explains. “Whit’s looking forward to your social media tutorial tomorrow.”

“By which you mean she’ll have an hour-longDatelineepisode dedicated to her after she murders me.”

“Strong possibility.”

“I hope I don’t disappoint.”

“You won’t,” Braylon says. “You always try, Denz.”

“History, according to my family, says otherwise.” Denz does his best not to sound self-deprecating. It doesn’t work.

Braylon sips his tea. “Have you ever considered their opinion of you is wrong?”

Tangentially? Sure. But it’s hard to brush off what your family thinks of you. Hard to not let it bleed into everything you do.

It’s why Denz chose UGA.

By senior year of high school, he wanted to get away. Be anyone other than Denzel, young face of the Carter legacy. It’s not a coincidence that he waited until his acceptance letter arrived before he finally came out. His family wasn’t—isn’t—homophobic, but he knows how the public sees him. How his every move as a Black man is watched. Layering his queerness on top of that? No, thanks.

College was his escape from the unwanted spotlight.

Now he’s back to being the only son of Kenneth Carter. Constantly proving himself. Not only as a Carter, but as a successful Black man. A capable queer man. He walks into every situation five steps behind most people because of who he is.

On the table, Braylon’s fingers brush across his knuckles. He knows Denz is overthinking. He doesn’t hesitate to let Braylon hold his hand.

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