8
Aweek later, Martin was shelving a box of new books when he found something amazing. On the top shelf, above where he was working, was an old copy ofAlice in Wonderland. The pages were yellowed, but between the chapters were fly pages: heavy paper with black-and-white illustrations.
Could Seb use this? Cutting it up still seemed like a shame, but Cassidy said nothing on the top shelves ever sold. Martin tucked it aside to take it up to Seb’s once he was done shelving. Maybe they could have dinner. Martin had gotten paid so he could offer to treat Seb, in return for the Thai food the weekend before.
The front door groaned open.
“We’re closing!” he called.
“Oh, that’s okay,” a man’s voice replied. “I’m just passing through.”
Martin popped his head out from behind the stacks. A tall African American man in horn-rimmed glasses and a bright plaid scarf smiled at him.
“Well, hello there.” He carried an umbrella and pointed it in Martin’s direction. “I don’t remember you being here last time I came. And trust me, honey, I’d remember a sweet face like yours.”
Martin fought a blush. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
“No, we have not.”
If Seb’s usual stride was a swagger, this man sashayed. It was like he’d walked right off the set ofQueer Eyeand into the bookstore.
“Kenneth P. Morgenstern. And you are?”
“Martin.” He shook Kenneth’s hand. His skin was smooth and warm. “Martin Lindsey.”
“Pleasure. Where have you been hiding?”
Martin didn’t understand the question. “I was in the stacks?”
“Kenny?” Seb stood at the end of the aisle, pale skin glowing in the shadows. His face was bright with a wide smile, aimed at the new arrival.
“Sebastian.” Kenneth put an arm over Martin’s shoulder and walked them both toward Seb. “You didn’t tell me I had a new reason to visit you out here in the backwater. I was just meeting Martin, and he is delightful.”
“You’re scaring him, Kenny.” Seb’s voice was serious, but his smile was growing. “Let him go.”
Kenneth’s lips pressed into a pout. “I’m not scary. Am I, Martin?”
“Well, I’m not—”
Kenneth released him and clasped Seb in a big hug.
“Asshole.” Seb laughed.
“Back at you.” They clapped each other on the back. “Introduce me properly to your friend.”
Both men turned. Seb beamed at Martin, while Kenneth cocked his head to one side.
“Martin, this is Kenny,” Seb said.
“Kenneth,” Kenneth corrected.
“Kenny,” Seb said firmly.
Martin grimaced as old feelings of invisibility tried to swallow him. “Nice to meet you.”
Seb patted Kenneth’s chest. “Kenny and I met in college, and now he’s my agent. He’s also a flirt and a manwhore, so don’t believe a word he says.”
“Except the part about your sweet face.” Kenneth winked. “You can believe that.”
