Page 9 of Numbers Boy (Working Boys #2)

“Alright, so Noah is…” I take a moment to think about what I want to say about the man.

Do I tell them about how good-looking he is, with his handsome face and tattooed skin?

Or should I lead with his soft spot for animals and how sweet he is with Stacy?

I decide to just start and let myself ramble.

“He’s gorgeous and so nice, and I get a little bit jealous every time Stacy gets to lick him, and I have to keep my tongue in my mouth.

He’s a bit intimidating at first glance, but once you look closer or see him smile, you realize that he’s just a big softy.

His hands are calloused and tattooed, and I swear a bolt of something passes through me when we touch.

And I’m extra conflicted about how I feel about him because I haven’t told him about Eve yet, even though he’s literally covering my doggy duties so I can rehearse each week. ”

Everyone but Stu kind of just stares at me for a moment, and I think back through what I just spewed out.

Nothing too embarrassing, although most of them probably didn’t need to know I want to lick my dog walker.

I mentally shrug and go back to eating. I’ll let them process a bit longer while I get my fill of food, and then they can help me start working through everything.

It’s one of the reasons I love this group so much.

One heaping serving of hash browns, a handful of strawberries, and one slice of avocado toast later, Henry finally breaks out of his thoughts.

“Alright, Stevie-boy, let’s tackle this in two different waves.

First wave –” He holds up one perfectly manicured finger and then points the pink-painted tip at me.

“– just how mad should I be that you were keeping quiet about not just a cute boy, but a cute boy with tattoos and a soft side? Because in that regard, I’d say you deserve to go for it and see what happens.

And if you had told me about him earlier, I would’ve told you the same thing then, and you could’ve been giving us a status report right now instead of still wondering about whether to start something or not. ”

Leighton leans closer and grabs a few more slices of bacon off the serving plate, saying, “I agree that Steve deserves to be with someone who’s going to make him happy, but what about the whole Eve situation?

Steve wasn’t himself when he wasn’t performing, so we’re not letting Eve go away again just because some random guy has a problem with Steve being a drag queen. ”

My chest feels tight, but I can’t tell if it’s guilt that I did let some guy make me not perform or happiness at the support of my friends.

Leighton must see some of those emotions on my face because he gives me a soft smile and continues.

“And it’s not that we don’t want you to find love, Steve.

Of course we do. But you deserve to find it with someone who will love all of you. That includes when you’re Eve.”

Henry nods and holds up a second finger. “Which leads us nicely into wave two. Is the hiding leftover worries from Adam, or is it something that is Noah-centered?”

Noah’s warm brown eyes flash in my mind, full of happiness when he sees Stacy and heat when he sees me.

The few times we’ve crossed paths since we’ve met, I’ve noticed he always looks extra-long whenever I’m wearing something a little softer and more feminine, and his gaze never fails to make me feel beautiful and wanted.

If he feels that way about my everyday looks, I don’t think he’ll react poorly to finding out that I do drag.

It’s still scary to think about telling him though.

“It’s definitely a leftover hang-up from Adam.”

Stu bumps his shoulder into mine, and I smile over at him.

“Then I think you take things slow until you’re ready to tell him,” my best friend suggests. “Get to know him better as you continue to get your life where you want it. Then, if he earns the right to meet Eve, you introduce them.”

“You make it sound like I have a wife locked up in my spare room or a secret child or something,” I say, snorting a laugh.

“But I get what you’re saying. I think I could really like him, so I guess I’m just worried that this could ruin things before we get a chance to explore what’s there.

But you’re also right about not letting Eve go again.

I don’t want to lose parts of myself to please someone else. ”

“I think you’ll only know if you try,” Mark says.

“All in favor of Steve going for it with the cute dog walker?” Henry poses to the table while he snags a piece of fruit from Chad’s plate.

There’s a chorus of “ayes” and a few raised hands from all around me.

I can’t fight the massive grin on my face, and while everyone starts talking about the book we all read, I’m busy thinking of ways I can flirt with Noah and come up with excuses to see him.

At the end of brunch, Stu taps my arm, knocking me out of a daydream of me and Noah cuddling with Stacy on the couch while we talk about our days and back into reality. Around me, everyone is putting on their winter gear and hugging others goodbye. I stand and grab my coat while Stu does the same.

“Henry got to choose the book for next month,” Stu says with a barely contained laugh. “It’s a smutty paranormal romance. He’s apparently been waiting months for it to be released.”

“That ought to be fun. I wonder if Chad is going to avoid eye contact with him when we discuss the sex scenes.”

We share a grin and wave at everyone as we head to the door. “Right? When is he going to realize he wants Henry as more than a friend?”

“No clue, babe. But I can’t wait to see how it all goes down when it happens.”