The four of us share knowing looks, bound by our secrets. We are broken in our way, finding a home in our shared madness. Where others might see monsters, we see family.
“To partnerships,” Adrian raises his glass. “In business and pleasure.”
“To art in all its forms,” we echo, and drink.
I top off everyone’s glasses and settle back on the leather couch, Amelia’s warmth against my side feeling asnatural as breathing now. It’s fascinating how quickly the four of us have formed this strange family unit.
“I could eat,” Adrian says, fingers absently tracing patterns on Maya’s thigh. “There’s that new place on Halsted that opened last month.”
Maya laughs. “You mean the one where you spent twenty minutes critiquing their chocolate soufflé to the poor server?”
“It was overwhipped.” Adrian shrugs, completely unapologetic. “Criminal, really.”
I catch Amelia’s eye, and we share a private smile at his choice of words.
“Speaking of criminal,” Amelia says, reaching for a chocolate from the box on the coffee table, “these are divine, Adrian. The ganache in the center—is that from...”
“Reynolds,” he confirms. “The councilman had exceptional blood chemistry. O-negative with hints of that expensive scotch he favored.”
Maya nestles deeper into Adrian’s lap. “I told you it would pair well with the Madagascar vanilla.”
I watch them together—the stiffness of Adrian’s movements against Maya’s fluid grace. Like complementary instruments in a perfectly composed piece. Just as Amelia’s artistic chaos balances my meticulous control.
“Amelia’s new series is selling remarkably well,” I mention. “Three pieces went before the opening even started.”
“The critics are calling itviscerally transformative,” she says with a grin that makes my heart beat faster. “If they only knew how literal that description is.”
The laughter that follows feels easy, comfortable—four damaged souls who’ve found sanctuary in sharing the darkest parts of themselves.
“Your pianist canceled for Friday,” Maya tells me, sipping her whiskey. “But I know someone who might work. Former Juilliard student, keeps unusual hours, asks no questions.”
“Let’s just order in,” I suggest, noticing Amelia yawn widely. “Been a long day dodging detectives.”
Adrian nods. “I’ve been meaning to try that new Thai place. The one with the chef who moved from Bangkok last year.”
We end up sprawled across Adrian’s living room with containers of pad thai and green curry, swapping stories that would horrify most dinner parties but only draw appreciative laughter from our peculiar circle. The easy camaraderie we’ve developed still surprises me sometimes.
As the night winds down, Maya yawns dramatically. “I need sleep before tomorrow’s critique.”
“We should head out,” I say
Adrian immediately stands, while Amelia and I gather our things, trading goodnights with promises to finalize plans for our nextprojectsoon. The cool night air hits us as we step outside, and I suddenly can’t stand the thought of waiting until we reach my place.
I grab Amelia’s wrist, spinning her against the brick wall beside Adrian’s shop. Her surprised gasp turns into a moan as I press against her, my mouth claiming hers with desperate hunger. My hands slide beneath her coat, finding the warmth of her skin.
“Gabe,” she breathes against my lips, “not here. It’s too cold.”
I nip at her lower lip, savoring the way her body arches toward me despite her protest. “You’re right. It is too cold,” I concede, my voice a low rumble against her throat. “But come summer, I’ll be fucking you right out here on thestreet at night, where anyone could see how beautifully you come apart for me.”
The sound that escapes her is pure need, her fingers digging into my shoulders as she trembles.
“Cab,” she manages, eyes dark with desire. “Now.”
I flag one down without taking my eyes off her, and we tumble into the backseat together.
The cab lurches through Chicago’s late-night streets, but I barely notice the driver’s erratic turns. Amelia’s body presses against mine in the darkness, her breath hot against my neck as my fingers trace possessive patterns on her thigh. The streetlights flash across her face in rhythmic pulses, illuminating the hunger in her eyes.
“You were magnificent today,” I murmur, lips brushing her ear. “The way you handled Carter... I almost wanted to take you right there in the chocolate shop.”
