Page 39 of Emil

“No way. I’m from Pacific Avenue.”

Shocked didn’t begin to cover it. That was worlds away from the private schools Calvin and Emil had attended.

“How did you two meet?”

I’d meant it as a friendly question, but Micah looked at Cal, who looked at me. When Cal turned back to his boyfriend, he gave a one-shoulder shrug.

“Do you want the public answer or the real one?” Micah asked, a small laugh edging into nerves.

“Whichever you want to share. Or neither, if it’s not my business.”

“I was homeless and broke into a property Cal owned. He gave me a job, and the rest is history.”

Micah’s cheeks pinked with embarrassment, which told me it was probably the truth.

“Sounds like you picked a good place to crash. Until Emil offered to let me stay at the cottage, I was couch-surfing at my mom’s after my ex kicked me out.”

“Well, that sounds pretty shitty.”

“It definitely was.”

Emil and Calvin spent the rest of the evening stepping back and letting Micah and me get to know each other. As much as I loved the boys, Micah’s quieter presence was a welcome respite. I loved them. I adored them. That didn’t make them any less overwhelming, and it was nice to spend an evening just chatting without being the babysitter.

I felt the tiniest bit disloyal, which probably meant I’d need to stop ignoring the group chat soon. Not ignoring exactly. I read everything and reacted with the correct emojis. I just hadn’t typed anything yet because I didn’t know how to articulate myself. Still, it didn’t feel great, especially when Rory had met me at the ferry so I could pick up my car.

“Emil, do you need a ride back to the island?” Calvin asked once the dessert plates were taken away and the evening wound down.

“I was hoping my friend here would let me hitch a ride with him,” Emil said, winking in a way that sent butterflies through my stomach. Then he squeezed my fingers.

Squeezed.

“Of course,” I said. I couldn’t manage a wink, but I did smile.

We collected our coats and lingered near the entrance, chatting. Emil and Calvin occupied themselves talking about the merger from hell that I never wanted to discuss again. But Micah and I discussed Almstead Island and his current coursework. I’d gotten an associate’s degree in accounting, but the work involved in returning to school for a four-year degree and taking the CPA exam seemed overwhelming.

“Anders, it was so nice to meet you,” Micah said. “This double date was a lot of fun. What’s your number? A friend of mine and I are members of a silent book club. The only members, really, but whatever. I’m going to speak for Beckett and say we’d love to have you join us.”

The description of what this evening was sent me reeling, but my spiral was interrupted.

“Silent book club?” Emil interjected.

“We read. No talking,” Micah explained, like it was obvious.

“That sounds perfect,” I said. “If my work schedule allows it, I’d love to come.”

“Your schedule allows it. Full stop,” Emil said.

The certainty of it left me off balance. Suddenly, what I’d thought was a business dinner was something else entirely.

CHAPTER TWELVE

EMIL

“Where did you park?”

After we waved off Micah and Cal, they headed straight to their car as soon as we stepped outside. My question hung in the air between Anders and me. He seemed uneasy, but not uncomfortable, and I knew exactly why. When Micah had described the evening as a double date, Anders had actually jumped a little in his chair. I’d had to turn my head away to hide my smile. I liked the description.

“I’m over in the far corner. It was pretty packed when I got here.”