Page 85 of The Weight Of Falling
She’s giving me a twitchy look, clearly trying to send a message. Unfortunately, Tess being Tess, it isn’t anything easily decipherable. Instead, I’m hit with a barrage of mixed signals: He’s hot! Flirt with him! Be careful! Ask questions, but not about taxes! Check your teeth!
I frown back, aiming for simple and readable. What on earth are you saying?
She finally gives up, barely stifling her eye roll.
To my relief, Joel seems relaxed and at ease with Aaron and Gideon. All three men are disturbingly handsome, and they carry more confidence than they know what to do with.
Aaron is steady and reliable, cool under pressure. He’s the calm to Tess’s chaos, with a dry, surgical sense of humor that delights me. You feel safe just being in his presence.
Gideon is the unpredictable one. People still whisper about what became of Kate’s abusive ex. A lot of rumors flew around, but nothing was ever proven. Most folks have learned to regard Gideon with a healthy amount of respect and an undertone of caution. But with the people he loves, Gideon is the softest of the three.
Joel is the wild card. The one I’m drawn to and the hardest to read. Both Aaron and Gideon came to Brown Oaks with secrets, but Joel’s secrets feel heavier somehow. At least, he’s able to hold his own with the two men. That’s no easy feat. They’re both powerful personalities, but Joel doesn’t seem intimidated.
“This is a no-holds-barred night,” I whisper to Joel as conversation flows around us. “I hope you’re up for roasting,”
Joel’s grin flashes, quick and boyish, like he forgot to be careful with it. I feel the force of it catch in my chest. “I can hold my own, but thanks for the heads-up.”
It isn’t long before Gideon and Aaron are caught up in their usual one-upmanship.
“Let it go, Gideon,” Kate says, crossing her arms. “Be the bigger man.”
Gideon smirks. “I am the bigger man.”
Aaron rolls his eyes. “The only thing big about you is your ego crowding out the oxygen in the room.”
“What’s the matter, buddy?” Gideon shoots back. “Short-man syndrome kicking in?”
“We’re the same height, idiot.”
“And clearly the same level of emotional maturity,” Sofia says dryly.
Kate takes a generous sip of her cocktail. “What is it with men and their obsession with being bigger?”
Tess smirks into her drink. “Compensation, obviously.”
Everyone is still laughing when Sofia lifts an elegant hand. “All right, enough testosterone measuring. Let’s get started.”
We drift into Sofia’s expansive living room. The coffee table is loaded with snacks. We gape at the massive whiteboard against the wall.
“Where did you get that?” I ask.
“You know I can’t incriminate myself by answering,” Sofia says airily.
Joel drops onto the couch beside me, stretching out his long, jean-clad legs and crossing them at the ankles. The other couples pair off on chairs and the loveseat.
“Couples are on the same team,” Sofia announces. “Since my dear husband is away on business, I am your gamemaster. And I choose the questions.”
“Just don’t go all Hunger Games on us,” Tess says.
Sofia arches an eyebrow. “I’m never one to turn down a challenge.” She claps once. “Okay, each couple choose a name for your team.”
“We’ll be The Big Kahunas,” Gideon says immediately.
Kate chokes on her cocktail. “Seriously?”
“Please, love,” he entreats, looking hopeful.
Kate sighs. “Fine.”
