Page 14 of Silk and Honey

Gideon: Thanks for inviting me into the chat, guys.

Gideon: I can use some advice.

Dallas: Oh look! The infamous bodyguard graces us with his presence. About fucking time.

Emery: Are you going to finally bring up the fact that you’ve been pining for Ezra’s new assistant?

Olly: I WAS WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BRING IT UP.

Zayden: Wait, wait, wait. Our Gideon has a crush on someone?

Emery: You should have seen it.

Emery: Bro was standing there at his booth like he was ready to stab anyone who spoke to the pretty man.

Gideon: Was not. And he’s a business partner.

Emery: A business partner. Right. That’s why you’ve been staring at him from across the farmer’s market like an adorable puppy waiting for a treat.

Zayden: who is he anyway?

Gideon: His name is Avery. He’s Ezra’s new design partner from Olivia Cove.

Dallas: No shit?

Emery: HE IS SO PRETTY, GUYS. He looks like he belongs in one of those expensive cologne ads.

Dallas: What’s he doing in Foggy Basin??

Gideon: That’s my point. He’s a fashion designer. He belongs under runway lights, not with an old bee farmer.

Dallas: …did you just call yourself an old bee farmer?

Beckett: bro is having a midlife crisis at 38. Get with the times, dude. 40’s are the new 30’s.

Gideon: I’m serious. He’s twenty-six. He’s got his whole career ahead of him, huge dreams. He’s temporary. There’s no way a fashion designer will stay here in Foggy. Plus, I’m twelve years older than him. There’s nothing glamorous about me. He’s out of my league.

Emery: Shut the hell up.

Zayden: Gid, respectfully, stop it right now. You’re literally hot as fuck. You own a thriving business, you’re the most loyal, protective guy we know, AND you make your own honey.

Olly: You’re a massive catch.

Emery: Facts. Stop overthinking it, Gid. Age gap or not, I saw the way he looked at you. He wasn’t looking at some “old-ass bee farmer.” He’s been checking you out since the moment he saw you.

Olly: For real man. City guys don’t look at someone like that unless they’re down bad. Plus, who said he won’t stay. Ezra has made a name for himself in the fashion world and he doesn’t plan on leaving.

Beckett: Exactly bro. If you let your weird brain talk you out of this before it even starts, I’m banning you from our next album release party.

Gideon: I just don’t want to mess it up. Or drag him down.

Olly: You won’t drag him down, Gid. You protect people and make them feel safe. Just take a breath, let him show you what he wants, and stop coming up with stupid ass excuses.

Emery: Follow your heart for once, man.

Dallas: Or at the very least follow your dick. You’ve worked damn hard your whole life. Go after what you want.

Gideon: …