Page 65 of A Siren Song for Christmas

“We are.” Trent gave a sharp nod. “Just friends.” He really wished he could stop saying that. The words depressed him.

“Right.” But there was something in Leo’s tone that sounded off.

“What?” He glanced at his brother. “What is it?”

“Nothing.” Leo gave him a pointed look. “But just to clarify, you’ve been fucking every night. But not just been fucking, right?”

“Well, no. We’ve been eating together, talking, and making Christmas decorations.”

“Christmas decorations?” Leo paused. “That’s actually sweet. And today you went with him to the lake. Then he came here to meet your family. Not to mention that you spend every single free moment you have with him.”

“I mean… We’re friends,” Trent said, but he could feel the hope rising inside him. “We’re good friends. That’s what good friends do. Right?”

“Yeah.” Leo gave Trent a long look. “But I see the way you look at him. And I see the way he looks at you.”

“How does he look at me?” Trent’s stomach filled with butterflies.

“He cares for you. That much is clear.” Leo smiled. “And I think he looks at you in a way that doesn’t just suggest friendship.”

Could that be true? Or was Leo seeing things that weren’t there?

“I’m just saying, I don’t quite buy the whole ‘we’re just friends who fuck.’” Leo began to put the measured-out ingredients into a large bowl. “That’s all.”

Trent’s heart thumped rapidly. So it wasn’t just him who thought Malachi might be falling for him? Others could see it too. But Leo had recently fallen in love with Percy the phoenix. Maybe he was just seeing everything through the eyes of a newly smitten man.

Leo glanced towards the front of the bakery. “And look who’s waiting for you.”

Malachi stood near the counter, staring at him.

With a smile, Trent came around to the front of the bakery. “Finished?” He wiped his hands on his apron.

“It was all delicious. Like everything from your bakery.” Malachi held up the plate and cup. “I wasn’t sure if I should leave them on the table or bring them here.”

“Here’s fine.” Trent took them. “So did you enjoy your visit to the Magic Bakery?”

“I did.” Malachi reached into his pocket.

Trent shook his head. “No need for that. It’s my treat.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

Malachi dropped his hand. Trent stared into Malachi’s light-blue eyes.

Could Leo be right? Was Malachi starting to see him as something more than a friend? Could he be falling in love with Trent? The fiery hope burned in his chest.

“Trent!” Lacy came up beside him. She wrapped an arm around his waist. Turning to Malachi, she smiled. “I’m Lacy. Are you Malachi, the one who has captured my brother’s attention?”

“Ah. Yes.” Malachi nodded. “That would be me.”

Lacy beamed. She glanced between them. “You’ve been spending so much time together.”

“That’s because Trent and I are friends,” Malachi blurted. “Good friends.”

Lacy’s smile dimmed. And so did the hope burning in Trent’s chest.

“Oh.” Then she smiled wide again. “Well, I’m glad he’s found such a good friend.”