Page 65 of C is for Comfort

“And you’re a photographer?” Archie asks Cal.

I tune out of the conversation while Cal tells Archie about his photography. It’s nothing I don’t already know. My thoughts turn to Corey and whether he’ll like what I have planned for our date tomorrow. It’ll either go amazingly or backfire horribly. I’m hoping for the former, obviously.

“Are we having a party a week on Friday?” Gave asks, drawing my attention back to my friends.

“Why wouldn’t we be?” Hamish asks, frowning.

I can’t miss the way Gabe glances at Archie. Perhaps he thinks Hamish won’t bother throwing parties anymore now he’s got a partner. In all the time we’ve known Hamish, this is the first time he’s been serious about anyone. Then again, I’m just as bad. Long term hasn’t been in my vocabulary before, but that’s starting to change.

“What do you think, Archie?” Hamish asks. “Do you want to come to the party with me?”

Archie smiles up at Hamish, adoration and devotion clear on his face. Damn. I’d love it if Corey looked at me like that one day.

“I’d like that, Sir,” Archie says.

“Then yes,” Hamish declares. “There will be a party happening at mine, a week on Friday. Consider yourselves and your boyfriends invited.”

“I’d be upset if weweren’tinvited,” Cal says.

“But we’ll get back to you on whether we’ll be there,” Gabe adds.

“Right. After we’ve talked to Blake.”

Everyone looks at me. Talk about being put on the spot.

I hold my hands up. “I don’t think Corey and I are as serious as you all seem to be.”

But I’d like to be. Hamish and Archie look truly happy together, as do Gabe and Cal. It would be nice to see them with Blake. I’m curious about how their triad works.

“We’re going on our first date tomorrow,” I tell them. “Besides, I’m pretty sure I’m working that night.” I check my schedule on the calendar on my phone, which is less embarrassing than counting out days on my fingers. “Yes.” I sigh. “The first of my four night shifts.”

It would have been nice to go to the party with Corey. Once he let go, he seemed to enjoy having sex in front of other people. It’s a side of him I’d be interested in bringing out more within the safe environment of the water tower.

“That’s a shame,” Hamish says.

“You’re going on a date?” Gabe asks me. “Who’s planning it?”

“Me.”

“And? Where are you taking him?”

I wag my finger. “I’m not going to share any details.” I lean forward so I can wink at Archie. “No offence, but I don’t know you well enough to be sure you won’t tell your brother.” I really do want it to be a surprise.

“Will he like it?” Archie asks.

“I’m hoping he’ll love it.” I’m not superstitious, but I’m not above crossing my fingers between now and the big reveal tomorrow.

“That’s good enough for me.”

“But the rest of us have to remain in suspense?” Gabe asks.

“I’m afraid so,” I say. If Archie wasn’t here, I would run my idea past my friends. But he is, so my lips are sealed.

Gabe shakes his head. We all laugh.

“Corey doesn’t like anything too spicy,” Archie says. “In case you’re planning on taking him out for a meal.”

I smile. “Noted.” I was planning on rounding our date off with a meal, so that’s good to know. “Anything else I might not know?”