Page 83 of Sapphire Storm

“How does he know your nickname?” Ethan asked.

Donnie shrugged. “I love that nickname. I spread it around.So is this your way of thanking me? Because now feels like it should be thethank you part.”

“Shouldn’t I be the one to get thanked?” Jonas asked. “I’mactually the one who called the Wyman.”

“Yeah, but I calledyoufor help.” Donnie pointed afinger at him. “And you always talk to me like I’m eight, so that’s kind of abig sacrifice.”

Ethan raised one hand. “Do Connor and Logan know about anyof this?”

“Hell, no. That’s why I called Jonas,” Donnie said.

“Yes, but you and Logan go back almost as far as we do, andI don’t—”

Donnie put his hands out. “I’m not telling Murdoch. Don’tworry. Neither is Jonas. Right, Jonas?”

But what Jonas said was, “If I always talk to you likeyou’re eight, why do you insist on hitting on me so brazenly?”

Ethan gripped Donnie by both shoulders and looked him in theeye. “Thank you. I still don’t know what this all means, but thank you.”

But Donnie was looking past him at Jonas. “Maybe I’ve got athing for guys who think they’re better than me.”

Ethan let go of Donnie’s shoulders and turned to Jonas.“Would you like me to step out so you two can work out this tension alone? It’sa lovely villa.”

Jonas raised one eyebrow. “That depends. Will I have to signa model release?”

“Oh, that’s it!” Donnie barked. “You took some sexphobicclass at Georgetown and you’re anti-porn because you put all kinds of feministideology on porn that doesn’t have any women in it!”

“No, I just think you hit on me excessively because you knowyou don’t have a shot, and given how many men probably throw themselves at youbecause of your prior career, it drives you somewhat insane.” Jonas smiled.

Donnie took a step past Ethan toward Jonas and said, “Allright, look, Pocket Square, I can—”

“Mother of Christ!” Ethan exploded. “Both of you shut up! I’mthe one having a horrible day.I’mentitled to be a drama queen foronce.” As they fell silent, both men nodded gravely as if Ethan had spoken aprofound truth. “Jonas, thank you. Truly. I will buy you dinner.”

“You’re a chef,” he answered. “Make me dinner. And you’rewelcome to review the footage again, but it stays on my laptop, and we don’tdistribute it. That’s the agreement I made with my friend in San Diego.”

“Of course,” Ethan said. “And not to ask a gift horse tocough up even more, but I don’t suppose you have a direct line to RachelPeyton?”

Jonas shook his head. “We’ve been dealing entirely with thewedding planner. I don’t even think I have her email. But I’ll check. If it’s areally good dinner.”

“The best,” Ethan said with a wink. “Donnie, with me.”

As Ethan took his arm, Donnie wailed, “I’m, like, savingyour relationship here. How am I in trouble?”

“You’re not, but if you would like us not to talk to youlike you’re eight, stopwhiningabout being introuble.”Outside, Ethan steered them down a few steps of the walkway that ran downhillbetween two rows of terraced villas. “Did you tell Jonas the entire story ofhow Roman and I—”

“Holy crap, no,” Donnie whispered.

“And Logan?”

“I told you. I didn’t tell him anything about this.”

“I know, but over the years, did you ever mention friendswho used to escort?”

Donnie cocked his head to one side and sighed dramatically.“No, no, andno.I barely talk to Logan about howIused toescort. It freaks him out. He’s pretty traditional for a guy who plowed everytwink in Orange County five times before he met the love of his life.”

“Be sure to include that in your wedding toast.” Ethan’sphone chimed. He pulled it from his pocket. “And thank you. I appreciate yourdiscretion as always.” But when he saw the text on his screen, he froze.

“Is it him?” Donnie asked, peering forward to read it.

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