Jack, seemingly unaware of the tension between Verity and Aaron, kissed the top of Verity’s head and smiled at Aaron.
“Nice to meet you,” he said, extending his arm over the bar for a handshake.
Aaron sized him up and seized his proffered hand, shaking it once before dropping his hold and stepping back.
“I’m sure it is,” he said in reply.
“He’s like a peacock,” Landon stage-whispered, reaching up on his tiptoes to steal a kiss from Gregory, who slid his hands around Landon’s back and pulled their bodies together.
“Quite,” he mumbled into Landon’s mouth, flicking his tongue inside and spreading Landon’s lips apart.
Landon had never wanted to be somewhere different as desperately as he did right now. If he hadn’t been worried about Verity collapsing from exhaustion before midnight, he would have begged Gregory to take him home and fuck him into the mattress.
It had been a struggle, maybe even a lifetime worth of false starts, but he had Gregory now, and he was truly happy. Landon was content, sated, owned. He reached up and traced his finger along the edge of the collar that wrapped his neck. Gregory lifted Landon’s hand and kissed it with a smile.
“I know you’re not open yet, but is it cool if I get a beer? I’m not sure why everyone is so tense.” Aaron asked Landon with an awkward laugh.
“I think we could all use one,” Gregory suggested, slapping his free hand down onto the bar top.
Verity pulled a six-pack out of one of the coolers and dropped it onto the bar, popping the tops off and distributing them to everyone, but not taking one for themself.
“One for the bartender?” Gregory asked.
Verity glared at Aaron. “No, I think I need a clear head tonight.”
Aaron downed half his beer in one swallow, then set the bottle on the bar with a thud.
“So,” Gregory said, turning his attention to Jack, “What brings you to LA?”
“I’m crashing with Landon and Verity awhile, I think. I have some interviews lined up, but I need to find someone to sublet my apartment if anything pans out.” Jack took a drink of his beer and smiled at Gregory.
“What do you do?”
“I’m a physical therapist. And apparently part time bartender.”
“Yeah, I know that gig,” Gregory said with a laugh.
“What sort of therapy?” Justin chimed in.
“Occupational.”
“Doesn’t Cedars need one?” Micah asked, his voice noticeably calmer than his earlier outburst.
“We do,” Justin confirmed with a nod. “I’m Justin, by the way. I’m a neuropsychologist at Cedars.”
“Oh, wow!” Jack grinned. “I guess moving to LA and all, Cedars would kind of be the big goal.”
“Get my number from Gregory, I’ll make some calls once I’m back to work on Tuesday.”
“I appreciate that, man. Thank you.” Jack turned his attention to Verity. “You have awesome friends.”
Verity’s lip angled into half a smile. “They’re inherited from Gregory.”
“Good job, Landon,” Jack said with a laugh.
“Mostly,” Verity mumbled.
Aaron glared at them, then finished his beer.
