Page 96 of In the Frame

“Thanks. They’re my work,” Gabriel says cheerfully. “I want to be able to work more reliably. But I freelance. Sometimes it’s a little hard to plan with my health. I love photography. Fashion Week’s coming up in February, and I’m trying to get ready, hoping to work it if I can, because I missed London Fashion Week in September when I was in the hospital. London only. Flo, don’t look so worried.” Gabe peers at me. “He worries a little too much, like I’m going to burn the house down at any minute. For the record, I’ve burned down precisely zero houses. No kitchen fires either. No fires of any kind.”

I smile, and so does Gabriel. Florian shakes his head, and I start in on my pastry.

“Are you going to dinner tomorrow?” Gabriel asks Florian. “At our parents’,” he tells me. “I call it running the gauntlet.”

Florian nods. “I think so. Do you want me to pick you up?”

“Please. You know it’s better when we arrive at the same time. Dad’s been on my case again.”

Florian frowns. “Okay. Good to know.”

“He said he might be away on business, but he won’t know ’til tonight.” Gabriel shrugs, eating a chocolate croissant with great relish over his plate. “But listen, Matty. We have our birthday coming up soon, me and Florian. You’ll need to come. I’m hosting a party and planning the guest list to send out invites.”

“When’s the party?” I ask curiously. “I’d love to come. If Florian wants me there.”

“Of course I would love for you to come,” Florian tells me before turning to Gabriel. “Just don’t overdo it, Gabe…”

“It’s in January,” Gabriel says, undaunted. He waves Florian off. “It’ll be a blast. Businessmen and the art crowd, what a mix.” He grins. I laugh.

“Opposites attract,” I tell him.

“Try to keep it to fifty guests,” Florian tells Gabriel.

“That’s nothing.” Gabriel looks indignant. “I know a lot of people in fashion and design and related things.”

“You get the lion’s share of the guest list,” Florian tells him.

“Okay, fine.” Gabriel shakes his head. “Just give me names this week.”

“Okay,” Florian agrees.

We talk about my move back to London, how I find the city overwhelming, coming from the country. About going to uni in Brighton. And meeting Florian being the highlight of London. Eventually, I’m sitting on the sofa side by side with Florian, with his hand on the small of my back. Like it belongs there and me beside him.

When Gabriel leaves the room, I kiss Florian. “Thanks for bringing me here to meet your brother,” I murmur. “It means a lot. I know how important he is to you. He’s great.”

“He’s having a good day,” Florian offers, giving me another kiss. “He’s thrilled to pieces to meet you. Because I have told him about you. More than once.”

I smile affectionately at him.

When it’s time to leave, Gabriel gives me a big hug once we have our coats on in the entry. “Do visit again soon,” Gabriel encourages me. He whispers, “Florian’s happiest when he’s talking about you.”

Another smile stretches across my lips, and I give Florian a sidelong glance. He does look happy. A contented sigh escapes me as Florian takes my hand and squeezes.

“You two are too adorable.” Gabriel shakes his head. He grins. “Okay, Flo, call me tomorrow. Have fun today. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“That’s a low bar,” Florian quips, and Gabriel laughs, and I can tell this banter is easy and familiar between them.

“At least Matty has standards,” Gabriel teases, clapping me on the shoulder. “Right. See you both soon.”

“Don’t forget to order groceries,” Florian tells him.

“I’m doing it right now.”

And when we walk down the tiled path to the street, Florian’s hand in mine, I feel like I’m on top of the world. And a part of Florian’s.

Back at Florian’s after lunch, we spend the afternoon entangled together in bed. Florian’s just collapsed on me, his head resting on my chest as I gasp for breath, my face burning. I wrap my arms tight around him. He’s radiating heat, slightly damp with perspiration, and fully mine. I sink into the comfortable mattress with our combined weight. Being skin to skin makes me reel with pleasure. Like the rest of the world’s on hold. For us, right now, everything that matters is in this room, in each other’s embrace.

“You make me feel incredible,” I whisper. Which is a simple way to describe the expansive feeling in my chest about the size of a galaxy. All because of Florian.