Page 125 of Something Like Winter

his age or pretty enough to pass as such. “Is everyone here gay?” he

asked, eyes not leaving them.

Marcello’s head bobbed along with his chins. “Nearly.” Eyes alight, Ryan’s head whipped around to Tim. “Mind if I

mingle?”

Tim shrugged. “Have fun.”

Marcello chuckled as soon as Ryan was out of earshot. “Feels like

releasing him back into the wild, I imagine.”

“Exactly. I found him with a broken wing, took him in, and made

him all better. Now he’s ready to fly again.”

“So the honeymoon is over?”

Tim blinked. “I hope not. I’ve gotten used to him being around.” “Never fear. I don’t think he’s ready to build his own nest just yet.

Let him have his fun now, and he’ll be back in your bed tonight.”

Marcello tore the paper from his present. “One of your paintings? No,

too small for that. Ah!”

Tim waited while Marcello examined the small frame. He had found

a box of Eric’s old photos in a closet, among them one of Eric and

Marcello clinking wine glasses with exaggerated grins. Both were much

younger in the photo, Marcello a few pounds lighter.

Marcello opened his mouth, no doubt to say something witty, but

then shook his head, eyes misty.

“You all right?” Tim asked, patting him on the back.

“Fine, yes,” Marcello said. “It’s just… Sometimes you think you

have it all, but then you remember how youth and friendships slip away.” “I didn’t mean to make you sad.”

“No! It’s a happy reminder, in a melancholy sort of way.” Marcello

considered him. “Love suits you, you know.”

Tim glanced to where Ryan had already made new friends. “Do you

think it’s love?”

“You tell me.”

Tim thought about it a moment. “I need a drink.”

The party was pleasant. Tim had attended enough of these occasions