Bailey tapped his foot against the floorboards, his boot beating a tattoo he only became aware of when Tom gently touched his arm. “Hey. Are you okay?” Tom asked, his voice full of concern.
Bailey immediately stopped the movement and turned to him, forcing a smile and brightness into his words. “Sure. I’m fine. I’m really looking forward to the night.”
“Good.” Tom didn’t look too convinced, but thankfully didn’t push. “I’ve been looking forward to you meeting the guys too. Want to give me a hand moving the tables?”
“Absolutely.” It would be good to have something to do instead of worrying about how the night would actually go.
Bailey followed Tom across the coffee shop, helping him pull some chairs away from a couple of the square tables so they could move and join them together. In unison they each grabbed a side of one of the tables and placed it against the other.
“They’ll be here any moment, so I’m going to grab the food. Are you right to finish here?”
Bailey nodded. “No problem.”
He moved the chairs, placing them around the expanded table, thinking about the upcoming evening. Now he knew how Tom must have felt when he met Ryan and Bailey’s other workmates. He was a mess of jitters.
What if they don’t like me? What if I don’t like them?
He studied the table before shuffling one of the chairs along so it was perfectly lined up with the one opposite, then circled the table and did the same to a chair on the other side, moving it along an inch.
“It doesn’t have to be perfect, you know,” Tom called.
Bailey turned at Tom’s chuckle and grinned. “Must be my OCD kicking in.”
Tom placed a slow cooker on the counter before looking up at Bailey. “Are you nervous? You know there’s no need to be. They’re pretty normal guys and they’re going to love you.”
“I hope so.” And God, he really did. The scent of spices filled the air. “If not, at least they’ll love your cooking. What is that? I didn’t notice it before.”
“Chilli. It’s been simmering for hours and I just brought it downstairs.”
“Well, it smells amazing.”
Tom stepped closer and wrapped his arms around Bailey, nuzzling his neck. “Yousmell amazing.”
Bailey shivered at Tom’s breath against his throat as he relaxed into his hold, absorbing his warmth and strength. For a moment, he closed his eyes and focused on Tom’s hold, wishing they could stay that way forever. It had been so long since he had someone to hold, to lean on.
Bailey often felt it was him against the world. Just like the kids who’d been tossed out on the street to fend for themselves, thrown away like garbage.No!He wasn’t like those kids. He had been thrown out, but he had a mother who loved him and a little sister, whom he admittedly didn’t see very often, but he knew loved him totally. And now he had Tom. He wasn’t alone. He pressed himself closer, wanting more.
The jingle of the bell above the front door signalled the end of the quiet, alone time Bailey was relishing. After one last squeeze he reluctantly stepped back, missing Tom’s touch the moment they parted. Or maybe it was the sudden draught of frigid air that blew in with the newcomers that made him feel cold.
“Tommy!”
“Hey, mate.”
“Hope you’ve got the beers ready.”
“Hey guys, great to see you.”
The men all spoke over each other as the four of them greeted each other with broad smiles, hugs, and firm claps to the back.
Bailey stood to the side and watched the group, partly nervous that the moment had finally arrived, but with a touch of jealousy too. They were good friends, as evidenced by the relaxed touches and bright smiles. Finally the enthusiastic greetings died down and they broke apart.
And as a unit, they turned his way.
“Well,whodo we have here?” asked the blond guy, giving Bailey a not-so-subtle once-over, reminding him of the way Cassie had studied Tom when she’d first seen him. From the way he played up the question, Bailey had no doubt the guy knew who he was or had at least heard of him.
“Guys, this is Bailey. Bailey, I’d like you to meet my closest friends. This is Elliot, John, and Phil.” Tom nudged the blond guy in the ribs. “And don’t you scare him off, Elliot,” Tom warned, the humour obvious in his tone.
“Me?” Elliot’s eyes widened and Bailey couldn’t help but smile at his butter-wouldn’t-melt-in-my-mouth expression.
