“Thanks. That means a lot to me. And I really am okay. This time of year always has me feeling a little off—it’s when my mother got sick. She passed away almost exactly a year after her diagnosis. I’ve been reminiscing and missing her.”
Elliot and Melanie had finished their conversation and were walking toward them. In another uncharacteristically sweet move, Julian slung an arm around his shoulders, giving him a swift hug. “I lost my mother young too. It sucks. But thank God for good friends, right?”
“Yeah. I don’t know where I’d be without them.”
***
After Elliot’s interview, Spencer had to return to work to get ready for the runway show the next day. He walked down Seventh Avenue with Elliot to the subway station.
“You got everything you needed, right? You and Julian had a good chat?”
“Yeah. He was very nice and said he’d send some stuff over for Win and me. I didn’t want to accept because of the article, but he just laughed and said it’s SOP in the industry.”
“So it is. Designers love giving their stuff away, especially to good-looking people who’ll wear it. You and Win will look hot in Juli’s clothes.”
Elliot blushed. “Anyway, we were thinking of having a barbecue this weekend. Can you come? It’ll be nice to hang out. I sent a group text about it.”
They’d reached the corner of Broadway and 42nd and stopped. “Sounds fun.” He tried to be casual. “Is Wolf coming, or did he make his I’m-too-busy excuse as usual?”
Elliot made a face. “Stop it. He hasn’t answered my text yet.” He paused, but Spencer held up his hand when Elliot opened his mouth. He knew that look.
“Don’t. Okay? Why don’t you call and read him the riot act? Why is it always me who gets the lecture?”
Elliot hugged him. “I have. But it’s like you enjoy needling him about things, especially his sex life. Maybe there’s something going on with him that he doesn’t feel comfortable enough to share, even with us.”
“What’re you talking about?”
“Haven’t you ever thought it weird that he never talks about his family? Like, at all? I mean, you’ve mentioned your mother, and how you don’t get along with your father, but he’s never said a single word about any relative. They didn’t even come for graduation.”
“Neither did Chess’s.”
Admittedly, from their first meeting he’d wondered about Wolf. He’d been attracted to him at first sight—and who wouldn’t be, with those piercing eyes and that gorgeous face. Subtle hints and invitations to hang out were ignored or rejected. The one night he’d made a pass at Wolf, he’d thought for a moment there might be something between them, but Wolf had turned his back and walked away. After that, Spencer had resigned himself to being strictly friends.
For the duration of their time at school, Wolf had continued to stay in, studying the majority of the time, when he, Elliot, and Chess would go out to party. He was way too serious, and Spencer ended up enjoying needling him more than anything. A search for Garrett Wolf on Google had proved fruitless, as no one related to his friend showed up.
Damn right he’d tried.
Elliot nodded vigorously. “Exactly. And look at what Chess had to go through. It still hurts me to think of him in all that pain. What if Wolf had something similar happen to him? I’d want to let him know I’m here for him.” Elliot squeezed his hand. “And you too. I’m still upset about the way your father acted and what he did. Burning those clothes you won was terrible. You know you can always talk to me about anything.”
“Of course. Because you’re Elliot, the nicest guy in the world, and now that you’re happy, you want the same for everyone.” He took Elliot by the shoulders. “But there’s something you have to understand. You can’t fix everyone, especially people who don’t think they’re broken. Some of us don’t want the life you see as perfect. It might be, but only because it’s perfect for you. Not everyone is made for the happily ever after. Some of us are trying to live day by day.” Watching Elliot’s eyes grow shiny, Spencer figured a little white lie wouldn’t hurt. Anything to keep him from getting upset. Elliot was so sweet and sensitive, a little fib now and then to make him happy was for his own good. “But hey, you never know. Maybe one day I’ll find someone too. Like you found Win when you were least expecting it.”
A smile lit up Elliot’s face. “Yes. That’s all I’m saying. Keep yourself open for love.”
“I will. Promise.” He crossed his heart, wincing inwardly at his falseness. “I’ll see you tomorrow night. Don’t forget to wear what I sent you—you and Win.”
“’Kay. See you tomorrow.”
Spencer watched as Elliot pushed open the doors to the subway station and disappeared in the throng.
Thunder rumbled as the sky turned dark. He glanced upward as lightning crackled.
“You didn’t believe me either, huh?”
He rushed across the street to the safety of his office.
Why tempt fate?
Chapter Six
