Page 23 of Goldilocks

“Erm.” Laurence shut it. “On it now, what does everyone want?”

“Two ciders,” Connor said, twisting to look behind him. “Adonis is coming in now.”

“Another rum and coke, Sam?” Laurence asked, taking his empty glass. “What do you two prefer?”

“Just water for me,” Ivan said. “Rum and coke for him.” He nodded at Eric.

“Dad?”

“Water for me, thank you.”

“Nick?”

“Cider.”

Laurence trotted off.

“Adonis is going to join us?” Trevor double-checked, bringing over another stool.

“On his way,” Connor said. He leaned forward, taking the plate without any meat on it for himself, and Sam helped distribute the rest of the plates of Irish breakfasts. He guessed that Sally had decided to put in a food order on their behalf when she realised they were too busy talking to go and ask. Laurence technically worked in the kitchen cooking, and they didn’t do table service here until Easter break.

It was a tight squeeze at the table. Sam hadn’t realised the entire family was going to join them when he’d picked it.

“Make sure Laurence knows he’s not allowed a tattoo,” Connor told Trevor as he settled next to Sam. Ivan had scooted over to make room for him.

“If it’s something he’s set his mind on, not much I can do about it. It’s his decision,” Trevor said calmly. Laurence returned with the tray of drinks and squeezed into the spot between Eric and Ivan again.

“There you are, you brute,” Sally’s voice rang out across the pub. “Are you causing trouble again?”

Sam twisted, though he already knew who he would see. Tall, broad-shouldered and gorgeous, Adonis strode into the pub in sandals. He had white-blond hair, flawless ivory skin, and a face so perfect that only Devil could compare. Well. Sam peeked sideways at Connor. Gun to his head if Sam had to say who he found the most attractive… The answer to that had been the same since Connor had butted his shoulder against Sam’s one evening as he laughed at a stupid joke Sam had made. Back then Connor didn’t do much laughing, and Sam had felt like he’d achieved a momentous victory.

Sam averted his gaze, turning back to the table. Everyone had twisted to look at Adonis. Except Eric, who was staring right at Sam. Sam jolted, and immediately his skin heated. He repressed a groan; getting caught checking out his ex-boyfriend while said ex-boyfriend was greeting his current boyfriend, was pretty high up there when it came to embarrassing.

Sam, casually as he could even as his pale skin undoubtedly turned bright red all over, looked back to Adonis just as he reached the table. Adonis wrapped his arms around Connor’s shoulders and dug his cheek into Connor’s.

“Did you chase them off?” Connor asked him.

“Worms,” Adonis grumbled, and Connor grinned.

“If Laurence gets a tattoo, can you sink Sam’s boat for me?”

“Easy,” Adonis huffed, shooting Sam a look of total superiority. His eyes were a light blue, with the whites – which used to be dark – only a slight metallic silver now. Whenever they were out on the ocean, they returned to dark blue, though Sam had seen them flash dark plenty of times while in the pub. People either didn’t notice or didn’t comment.

“Connor,” Trevor and Laurence admonished together.

Connor took a bite of toast, clearly unrepentant, as Adonis fixed Trevor with a lethal glare.

“If Laurence can do what he likes, I can do what I like too,” Connor said.

Sam didn’t even comment as he took a roll of cutlery. Connor wouldn’t sink his boat, but clearly his assigning the task to Adonis – whowould– was an effective way of bypassing his own softness so Laurence would take the threat seriously.

“Controlling dickhead,” Nick muttered.

“Tramp stamp,” Connor shot back.

Nick glowered at him, and Adonis turned his glare to Nick. Then back to Trevor. Then Nick.

Sam covered his mouth, turning his laugh into a cough. Trevor caught his eye and smiled. “Always entertaining, isn’t it, Sam?” He wasn’t mad at him for laughing. “Eat up, everyone. I don’t want to see anyone drinking on an empty stomach. What’s the tattoo of?” Trevor snuck in so very casually.