We smiled at each other. I caught his scent, not actually Old Spice, but something that reminded me of it. Peyton and I seemed to understand each other so easily. I’d never made a connection between architecture and DJing before, but when I looked at the art of his designs, framed on the walls and scattered on the table, the connection suddenly seemed so clear.
Peyton pulled in a soft breath, and the tension between us kicked up a notch. “Actually, I could use a tea,” he said and turned away to fuss with a machine behind his desk.
I took a seat on the wide, square-armed sofa across from his desk while he busied himself. “It’s good to see you again,” I told him honestly. “And hey, I wanted to say thanks, for helping me connect with Noah last weekend.”
Peyton turned, a teabag dangling in his hand. “Once you two started talking, you seemed to get along great.”
“So far,” I agreed.
“About the barbecue, I thought I should clarify something.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m not straight,” he said. “I feel like I didn’t explain myself clearly, but I wanted you to know, I’m not a straight man who thinks gay sex is shameful or any nonsense like that.”
“I’ve seen plenty of straight men like that,” I grunted. “Glad to say you don’t remind me of them. At all.”
Peyton winkled his brow, and the look on his face suggested he was wondering exactly how many men I’d been with. The expression made me chuckle, which lightened his mood.
“Well, I suppose that’s good,” he smiled. Then the little electric kettle hummed behind him.
“You’re some variety of non-straight, and you’re in the process of figuring yourself out and coming out. Did I get that right?”
“Pretty much, yeah,” he agreed, then frowned. “I’m not entirely sure why I’m telling you that, but, yeah.”
Adorable. Who knew bears could be this cute? I smiled and leaned back on the couch. “I don’t mind you sharing with me. But while we’re off topic from sound design, can I ask your opinion on a Noah question?”
Peyton stepped around his desk with his mug, but leaned back against it instead of joining me on the couch. “Running into problems already?”
“Nothing like that. I was just thinking, does he celebrate his birthday?”
“Oh.” Peyton adjusted his glasses. “Right, that’s in a couple months. You’re thinking ahead.”
“I thought I should do something nice for him, since I fucked up and missed so many already. But you know, some people care about that kind of thing, some people just try to avoid it.”
“And which one are you?”
I chuckled. “I used to love it, but now I just take the day to myself.”
“Yeah,” Peyton smiled. “Me, too, actually.” After a second, he did cross over and lowered himself to the couch, turned so he could face me. “Noah does something lowkey most years, but honestly, the guy loves a gift.”
I scratched my forehead. “A gift, huh? Shit, now I gotta figure out what to buy him.”
Peyton chuckled. “I’m sure you’ll find something.” He sipped his coffee, then frowned. “I didn’t ask how you’re doing.”
“Oh, I’m good. I picked up a couple gigs for pocket money, but mainly just focusing on my other projects.” I thought ahead to the next weekend, and an idea hit me out of nowhere. “Are you still looking for hookups?”
Peyton blinked, surprised. “Excuse me? Where did that come from?”
I barked out a laugh when I realized what I’d done. “Sorry. I have a bad habit of changing topic mid-conversation.”
“Almost gave me whiplash.”
I laughed. “I just ask because there’s a party you might be interested in this weekend. It’s a masquerade at a private location, a mansion.”
He tilted his head, and the light glinted off his glasses. “I really meant it when I said I’m not the party type, sorry to disappoint.”
“Well,” I lowered my voice slightly, “it’s a special kind of party.”
