Page 42 of Quinton's Quest

“To be closer to the food? Smart man.” I laughed. “I understand—these parties can be overwhelming.” I gestured to the breakfast nook. “No one will bother you there. I believe there will be some excitement in a little bit that you might want tobe witness to—but that’s up to you. Snag as much food as you want.”

“Thank you.” Archer motioned to the corner with his chin. He and Gideon made their way over there.

When the door opened and Everett stepped in, my heart kicked up a beat.Stay cool. Just because he likely has no idea what’s about to happen, doesn’t mean you can give it away.

We chatted and a few minutes later, he made his way back into the main room.

Lucia returned. “Need more cheese. And you need to get out there.”

I surveyed the mess in the kitchen.

“Go.” Her imperiousdoctorvoice always made me laugh.

“Hey, you two?”

Gideon and Archer turned my way.

“Join me?”

They nodded.

I patted the phone in my back pocket and headed into the living room.

Everett and Rayne stood with Maddox, Ravi, Arnav, Foster, Dean, and Adam. The six were laughing uproariously at something.

Rayne caught my gaze.

I nodded.

He stood on the fireplace and offered a hand to Everett.

After a moment, he took it and allowed himself to be pulled up. The men were a study in contrasts. Although the same height, Rayne had light-brown hair and eyes a tawny brown unlike anything I’d ever seen.

Everett had dark skin with intense dark-brown eyes. The lawyer always seemed vigilant, while his private-investigator boyfriend was always easygoing. They lived together along with their rescue German shepherd, Champ.

Rayne swallowed visibly. “Everett?” His cocky grin held, but I wasn’t certain for how long.

His boyfriend handed his drink to Dean, put his hand in his pants pocket for a moment, then joined Rayne on the fireplace.

“Okay. Now everyone’s clearly wondering what I’m doing up here.”

Sheesh Rayne, could you speak any louder?He’d certainly commanded the attention of the room as a hush had fallen. Of course, he was speaking to the people upstairs. Whom I’d discreetly sent a text to. I tapped my foot. “Get on with it. I have more pigs in a blanket in the oven.” And I was quite certain my above-stairs guests would burst down at any moment.

“I brought curry puffs too.” Dean grinned and his broad Aussie accent carried through the room.

“Right.” Rayne gripped Everett’s hands and guided him so they faced each other. “We’ve only known each other just over three months—”

Everett arched an eyebrow.

“Work with me.” Rayne whispered the words, but he was so nervous that I heard them halfway across the room.

Everett smiled ruefully. “Right. Three months. We met at Quinton’s Halloween party.” Said clearly so even those in the back could hear.

Hoots and hollers—especially from the group of men in their immediate vicinity. Oh yeah, the Halloween party—where the two had sex in my den upstairs. The party where Arnav and Foster hooked up.

I really do throw epic parties.

“And I just…” Rayne swallowed. “It’s presumptuous of me to propose. I moved into your house. I inserted myself into your life. I invited my dog to shed all over the place—”