Page 76 of Don't Point at the Moon

“Mind if I talk to my wedding date?” asked Tommy, not bothering to introduce himself nor hiding the hard edge to his tone. Mitchell twisted around in surprise, a glass flute clutched to his chest.

“Date?” asked the carrot-top idiot, his gaze fixed on Mitchell. “Thought you said he was just a friend?”

“He is,” said Mitchell, eyeing Tommy curiously. “But we had an agreement to be each other’s dates to the wedding, rather than attend alone.”

“And we need to talk,” said Tommy.

“Go ahead then, mate,” said the idiot with a smirk, not budging. “Don’t mind me.”

“Privately,” said Tommy.

“Whoa,” said the man, holding his hands up and backing up a step. “No worries. Need to find the dunny, anyway. Let’s catch up later, Mitch.”

The idiot had the audacity to wink at Mitchell as though sharing a private joke before sauntering across the room. Tommy glowered after him.

“Sei puk gai,” he muttered, turning to see Mitchell grinning at him. “What are you smirking at?”

“Nothing,” said Mitchell, gently shaking his head before sipping from his bubbly. “Nothing at all. You did amazingly well today, Tommy. I was running late and arrived just as the ceremony began. But I heard you play. You were sensational up there.”

Tommy’s foul mood melted instantly. Mitchell owned his new outfit, but what Tommy enjoyed most was hearing Mitchell’s voice and especially his praise. Without asking, he took the glass from Mitchell’s hand and drained the remains of the champagne.

“This is me doing you a favour,” he said, handing the empty glass to a passing waiter. “Today’s going to be a long one and I need you sober. I came to find you for a few reasons. Firstly, I wanted to apologise. I realise I strong-armed you into doing this makeover—”

“Hold on a second. I love the suit, especially with the matching bow tie and pocket hanky. And, believe it or not, the new haircut. None of which I would have chosen, but sometimes we all need to try something new. The shoes are as unforgiving as a trip to the dentist, but the pain is finally beginning to subside, even though I’ll probably have blisters in the morning. The only thing I’m truly uncomfortable with is the amount of attention I seem to be drawing.”

“You deserve to be seen, Mitchell,” said Tommy softly, and he meant every word. “But there’s something missing. The finalfinishing touch, if you will allow me. Sorry I didn’t get the chance to do this earlier.”

Tommy reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.

“Like me, close male family members are wearing white rose buttonholes. But when I saw this, for some reason, the cute little accessory felt entirely right for you.”

Tommy lifted a lapel pin from inside and showed Mitchell. The golden head of a wolf had caught his eye during their shopping trip, and he’d immediately thought of Mitchell, the measured stare he gave people, quietly sizing them up, the way he had almost passed unnoticed through Tommy’s life. Mitchell’s reaction was not what Tommy had expected. At first, he appeared startled, his brows creasing together and eyes beginning to glisten with tears.

“Or not,” said Tommy, pulling the pin away. “Not if you don’t like—”

“No,” said Mitchell, grabbing Tommy’s hand. “It’s perfect. Just—unexpected. I love it, Tommy. I really do. Can you do me the honours?”

While Tommy fumbled to pin the broach in place, he could feel Mitchell’s steady gaze on him. Once Tommy had finished and their eyes met, Mitchell surprised him with a peck on the lips.

“What was that for?”

“Partly for keeping up appearances. But, in all honesty, for proving me wrong about you. For how much I value our friendship and your company and, most of all, for you just being you, Tommy Chow.”

Tommy stared at Mitchell as something inside him melted. Mitchell might have been wrong about him, but Tommy had also misjudged Mitchell. Maybe Aaron and others might finally have noticed him today, but Tommy had been lucky enough to spend time with him and get to know the real Mitchell.

“Then at least let’s do this properly,” said Tommy, putting his arms around Mitchell’s neck and pulling him in for a kiss. Mitchell’s lips felt warmly familiar, tasting of sweet champagne while his body smelled of the ever-present scent he loved to wear. Mitchell broke the kiss first.

“What about Alec?” asked Mitchell.

“WhataboutAlec?”

“I thought we were hatching a plan to get you into his pants.”

“Priorities change. I’m not sure Alec and I are compatible. He’s never seen a singleToy Storymovie. Says he always thought they were for kids. Besides, someone else has caught my attention of late. Even if they do prefer Adele over Beyoncé. Something we can work on. I remember telling you that sometimes people are meant to be together, however strange their partnership might appear to others. Take Oscar and Devon, and Harold and William, for example. What I’m trying to say is that I want you by my side for the rest of the day, and even longer, if you’ll have me. But today I want you with me talking to guests as they arrive, sitting together through the dinner and speeches, and with me on the dance floor. And in my bed, later tonight. They’ve booked me a room here, by the way.”

“I didn’t bring a change of clothes,” said Mitchell, looking adorably bewildered.

“Really? That’s all you picked out from my heartfelt soliloquy?”

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