“It was your idea,” I remind him.
“Yeah, well, not all my ideas are good.”
I don’t know what that means, and he doesn’t seem keen to elaborate. I blow out a frustrated breath and return to the living room. Isaac comes with me, and soon, he’s got my hand in his again, being all reassuring and sweet. I try to stop actively picturing what he and Deacon were just doing without me. If they had sex, fine. Whatever—but why lie?
While this party isn’t as wild of a time as New Year’s, the sangria is strong, and Millie is in a dancing mood, which prompts Rachel and Priya and Miguel to join. There’s not much floor space in the living room, which means there’s more grinding going on than dancing, but they seem to be enjoying themselves. Karaoke comes out after we eat Deacon’s amazing stew, and this crowd loves themselves some karaoke.
I’ve lightened up if only because Isaac is working overtime to make me smile, and it eventually works. It’s not until a very buzzed Bailey corners the two of us that I’m reminded this is different from all the parties we’ve thrown in the past.
“So,” she says to Isaac. “Two guys, huh?”
Without missing a beat, Isaac gives her that charming as fuck smirk. “I’m a lot to handle.”
Bailey halfway giggles, because as charming as he is, he’s also a little intimidating and guarded. I suspect Bailey just smacked unwittingly into his shields.
But she’s not easily deterred, either, especially after a few drinks. “And the fact that they’re both employed by you? How does that fit in?”
“It’s a big company.”
“I’m getting a promotion soon?—”
Bailey shifts her focus to me. “I bet you are.”
I startle. “Not like that. I just mean I won’t be directly reporting to Isaac anymore. Soon.”
Her gaze narrows on me. “I hope whatever job you get isn’t one someone else has been waiting on.”
Isaac rests a hand on my thigh. “Evan’s position with me was always temporary.”
“Like an internship?” Bailey asks, and I finally sense she’s giving me a break.
“I call it a mentorship, but sure. He has a promising future in software development, and while he’s been a perfect assistant, he’s capable of bigger and better things.”
The job with Hunter comes to mind, and I squirm. I get the whole “it’s a white man’s world” and all that, but I’m a queer white man with a sketchy internet history, and while it’s not the same as being a woman or a different kind of marginalized group, I would never step over someone to get ahead. I’d rather quit Polytech than have people looking at me like I slept my way to the top, or I didn’t deserve my job.
“But you had no idea who Deacon was until your date?” Bailey asks.
“I didn’t, and it’s no wonder. I never see him at work even now.”
“He probably keeps close to his office, knowing him.”
“If you’re concerned about my intentions, I assure you, they’re all coming from a good place.”
“You seem like a decent guy.”
He nods. “Thank you.”
“Deacon really likes you.”
I feel like I should excuse myself. I clear my throat and shift slightly away.
“Oh, he likes you, too, Evan,” she says, and I catch the slightly patronizing tone. “He’s just more confused about you.”
I’m going to forgive this because she’s been drinking, but becauseI’vebeen drinking, I might, in fact, start crying if this conversation takes a turn.
“Wait—” she says. “Confused wasn’t the word. Conflicted? I think it was conflicted. Or his therapist said that. I honestly can’t remember. We’ve talked so much over the last week.”
Oh, have they? Is this who he saves all his words for? I open my mouth to speak or scream or something, but for the first time ever, Millie saves the day by plopping down next to Bailey and cheerily asking, “What are we talking about?”
