Page 23 of I Think They Love You

Despite his parents’ overflowing wealth, Jamie never accepts their money. Instead, he works at four different bars arounddowntown Atlanta. His charm and loveable face make up for the fact that he’s a nondrinker pretending to be a bartender.

Still, once a month, he accompanies his parents for dinner. Denz never asks why. He gets it. Everybody has that one shitty family member. In Jamie’s case, it’s two.

“I’m seeing them next week,” Jamie says.

“I’ll haveFire Islandready when you get home.”

Jamie smiles appreciatively.

The café door swings open. Denz’s eyes widen.

In strolls Jordan, phone to his ear. Denz wasn’t prepared for anyone from the office to show up during his practice date. Certainly not his cousin.

Actually… this is perfect.

“Hey.” He squeezes Jamie’s hand. “Jordan’s here. Let’s try out the boyfriend thing on him.”

Jamie’s face goes pale. “He—what? I. Wait. Are you sure?”

“Of course,honeybun.” Denz manages to not gag. “Jordan’s the best test subject.”

When they were teens, the three of them spent every summer together. An inseparable trio of puberty acne and late-night video game tournaments and remorseless chaos.

“No one knows us like him,” Denz says.

“But…” Jamie watches Jordan pick up a cardboard cup at the end of the bar. “What if we can’t bullshit him?”

“Then we’re fucked.”

“That’s not the confidence booster you think it is.”

“Sweetheart,” Denz says, head tilted, fake fondness in his voice, “we got this.”

“Do we? Because I think we should—”

“Jordan!” Denz waves his cousin over.

Jordan beams as he approaches. “Fellas! What’re you two up t—”

The sentence dies in a choked noise as Jordan gawks at the overlapping hands on the table. Denz beams at him. Jamie looks ready to launch himself out the nearest window.

“What, uh.” Jordan blinks hard. “Is going on?”

“Nothing.” Denz shrugs, casual as can be. “Just having lunch with my boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend,” Jordan repeats hoarsely. He clears his throat several times. “As in dating?Thatkind of boyfriend?”

“Sorry we didn’t tell you sooner.” Denz’s attempt to stare lovingly at Jamie resembles a raccoon gazing at an unattended trash pile. “Please don’t tell the fam. It’s a surprise.”

The “fuck me” Jamie whispers is met by an under-the-table kick from Denz.

“Wow!” Jordan’s eyes shift to Jamie. “This is… the best news ever?”

“It is!”

Jamie’s enthusiasm doesn’t match the my-soul-has-just-left-my-body horror in his eyes.

“Cool.” Jordan nods like an out-of-control bobblehead. “I should go. Just came to grab a gingerbread latte for my boss. Kami. Which you know, so.” He tugs at his collar. “Gotta grab these bad boys while supplies last!”

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