Page 77 of Twice Shy

He nodded. “I think so.”As long as you need, Joel had said.

Joel, who was kind and caring and had left his bed in the middle of the night to avoid rumors about the nature of their relationship.

“Cool. I’d work on it this weekend, but with the Callaghan’s Christmas party on Saturday…” Alfie gave a broad grin. “Sunday’s gonna be a write-off.”

“Oh, you’re going to that?”

“You bet.”

“It’s a good time then? The PTA committee got invited this year, so I guess I’m going too. They’re all super excited.”

“It’s always a blast. Sean and Tejana are awesome hosts. But…” He flushed, his smile turning pleased but self-conscious. “Me and Leo kinda got together there, so for us it’s extra special.”

Ollie couldn’t help but grin, pressing a hand to his heart. “That’s adorable.”

“Yeah, I know. Hopeless romantic. It drives Leo nuts.”

“I’m sure it doesn’t,” Ollie said, with a twinge of envy. How could being so openly, unabashedly adored drive anyone nuts? To cover his reaction, he said, “So what’s the dress code? I don’t have much more than smart-ish jeans.”

“Anything goes. Plenty of people dress up, but only because it’s a good excuse. You’d be okay in jeans.” He gestured to himself. “That’s what I’ll be wearing.” Another indulgent smile softened his face. “Leo’s kind of a dork, though, so he’ll probably wear a jacket and one of his hipster bowties.”

A squeal of laughter from Luis drew Ollie’s eyes back toward the reception area where Danita was playing pat-a-cake with him. The interruption allowed his mind to wander. What would Joel be wearing to the party? Not a bowtie, but he looked sexy as hell in the expensive suits he wore for work. Sexy and remote. No danger of them making romantic memories, Ollie would be lucky if Joel got within touching distance with so many familiar faces around. The thought was dispiriting. But, if romance was off the agenda for the night, perhaps there was something else Ollie could do at the party?

Luca Moretti would be there.

And wouldn’t the party be the perfect opportunity to speak to him again? Much better than rocking up at the Majestic Hotel like the prodigal son expecting to be welcomed into the family home. There were always opportunities to get people alone at parties.

His heart skipped at the thought. Was he really going to do it?

Yeah, he realized, he really was. He had to. Rory and Luis deserved a family, and he owed it to them to try and build one.

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