I chuckle, uncorking the wine and letting it breathe on the counter beside the plantains. “Gabriel? Best behavior? Don’t hold your breath.”
“Wonderful.” Alex groans, turning on the faucet to rinse his hands. “By the way, did you change the code for the elevator?”
I knew this question was coming. The penthouse elevator still gives him full access—meaning he can step right into our home without so much as a knock. It drives Alex crazy. I promised to change it to limited access, but I haven’t done it yet.
Part of me can’t bring myself to. This has always been Gabriel’s home, through every high and low we shared. It feels wrong to take that away.
But maybe now that he’s getting serious with his boyfriend…
Hoping to ease Alex’s mind—at least for tonight—I give him the answer I know he wants to hear.
“I’ll talk to him about it this week.”
I start down the hallway toward our bedroom, calling back, “In the meantime, there’s nothing to worry about. I told him to text before they come up. I’m sure he’ll listen.”
He doesn’t.
9
ALEX
“Aleex…”Gabriel sings as he strolls off the elevator and nearly slams into me. “We arrive right on time, sí?”
He reaches for my hand and pulls me in for a hug, not missing the opportunity to throw an air kiss to each side of my face.
At least… it wassupposedto be an air kiss. But I swear to God his lips grazed my cheeks. I swallow down my annoyance and give Gabriel a friendly pat on the back, swapping irritation for a forced smile. I also take a quick sniff of his skin. That spicy cinnamon complements his earthy warmth, like fall leaves crushed underfoot.
I relax.
“Good to see you. Glad you guys could make it.”
Determined to enjoy the evening, I glance over Gabriel’s shoulder where his boyfriend is fumbling with a bottle of wine and what looks to be some kind of chocolate dessert.Yum.
“Would you like some help?” I offer, stepping a little closer, hoping like hell he’s less antagonistic than Gabriel. He’s smallerthan I imagined—fine-boned, almost fragile—though there’s definition in his arms beneath the tight-fitting shirt.
Before I can reach him, Gabriel swoops in. “Alex, I’d like you to meet?—”
Oh.
My.
God.
Noah.
My eyes drop to their entwined fingers. My smile hits the floor.
Or was that the wine?
No—definitely my smile.
Fuck.
I watch, stunned, as Gabriel lifts Noah’s wrist up to his grinning lips and kisses the back of his hand—thesame fucking handwhere I’d left my own kiss that first night at Gravity.
Noah’s eyes flick to mine, but I can’t stop staring at his hand.
One one thousand… two one thousand… three… eleveeeen.
