The hand that Demarco would have normally shaken with was connected to the IV. Instead, he reached out awkwardly with his other. Tyler, not missing a beat, grasped Demarco's hand as if he had intended to all along, bringing it to his lips and gently kissing it.
"Enchanté," Demarco responded, giving Jack a bit of side-eye. "I am so pleased to finally meet this handsome cowboy in person."
Tyler winked. "I'm not a cowboy. I just like horses."
"Well, on this side of the country you are most definitely a cowboy. You may be missing the hat, but the way those jeans hug your lower half and that crisp plaid shirt... mm-hmm. Dee-lish."
Tyler's face flushed scarlet.
Demarco continued: "I would like to take this moment to personally thank you for rescuing my best friend, Alec, here. Whether you knew or not, he was teetering on the precipice of a mid-life crisis."
Alec pointed at Jack. "Well, we're here to thank this man for doing the same for you. I believe your predicament was far more hazardous than my own though."
Demarco shrugged. "So I got shot... twice."
"Can I see?' Alec asked, curious. "The first one maybe?"
Demarco nodded, pulling the hospital gown down over his shoulder. He was surprised to find that it had almost healed completely and that the stitches were gone... all that was left was a fresh three-inch scar.
"Wow," Alec said. "That is some Padma Lakshmi realness."
"Please pack your knives and go,"Demarco said, mimicking theTop Chefhost.
Tyler extended his hand to Jack. "My name is Tyler Quinn, by the way. This is my—"
Demarco and Alec both looked at Tyler, awaiting his word choice.
"—boyfriend, Alec Collier," he finished with an intoxicating grin... again, smoothly recovering.
"He's good at that," Demarco said.
"He charms horses," Alec whispered, as if that explained everything.
Jack took Tyler's hand. "Jack Keegan," he said. He shook Alec's as well. "It's nice meeting the two of you in person."
"Nice meeting you too, Jack. Sorry, I'm not as fetching with words as my friend, D, here."
"Don't believe it," said Tyler. "He's just reeling it in 'cause I'm here."
"Well," Alec continued—with a calculated stammer. "He is very handsome... and tall... and broad... in his well-tailored suit. He protects presidents, you know."
"Not yet," said Jack. "...and not always certain that I want to."
Tyler laughed.
"Aren't y'all here to see me?" Demarco reminded.
Alec put his hand on Demarco's. "Oh, my God, D... I have been so worried about you. Seriously... getting shot once wasn't enough? Drama queen."
"You know I like to raise the bar."
"I mean, you convinced me that you were OK after the first one, but then I get this call from Jack saying you're in critical care... and then we turn on the TV...and you're everywhere..."
"Demarco don't do things small." He gave Tyler a wink.
"...and Jack said not to come... that it was too soon... and that he'd let us know when. So, I've been a nervous wreck this whole time. I've been reading all the newspapers online.
"Scandalous, isn't it?"
