Page 136 of Tech Bros

“I’ll get it,” I tell him. As I go to make sure the door to my bedroom is closed to keep Apollo in, I hear Millie telling Isaac about why her dog couldn’t be here tonight.

Deacon and I share a look as I come around the island to start pouring wine. He has a small grin on his face, and I pinch his oblique muscle, which makes him jump and emit a short huff because he’s very ticklish there. Especially after he comes. And yes, before Isaac got here, he had me on my knees on the kitchen floor, helping with his pre-party nerves in a way he’s never requested before.

I was happy to help since he won’t let me do anything else for the party. While I was sucking his cock down my throat, he told me we should have started doing this a long time ago, and I’m still not sure whether that makes me feel better or worse about this whole situationship. It reminded me a lot of blowing Isaac before a board meeting. I’m happy to provide the service, but that’s exactly what it feels like—a service.

Bailey, Ryan, and Malcolm show up together. Bailey is carrying two large mason jars of what looks suspiciously like another one of her sangrias. Mal has a bowl of mashed potatoes, which is what he always brings, but will go great with the stewaccording to Deacon. Ryan is carrying their dog Heather, a tiny Yorkie puppy with a pink bedazzled collar.

“Hope she’s not in heat,” I hear Millie say.

Ryan gives her a dark look. “She’s four months old.”

“Jesus, Millie,” Bailey sighs.

Isaac is standing off to the side near the dining nook, and I take him by the hand. “Guys, this is Isaac. Isaac, this is Bailey, Ryan, and Malcolm.”

Isaac greets them all with handshakes. “I’ve seen your show,” he tells Ryan and Mal.

Mal grins wide. “Yeah?”

“Yes, I find it very refreshing.”

Malcolm puts his hand on Ryan’s shoulder. “That’s all this guy. He’s the one with the bigbrain.”

Ryan looks vaguely mortified, but manages to smile, which always looks painful on him.

“Who wants sangria?” Bailey asks. “Isaac?”

“Sure.” He sounds game for anything. Okay, maybe I’m falling for him a little bit. The grip he has on my hand is reassuring, and it’s taking some of the pressure off me to be “on” for this group of friends. I usually find myself running interference for Deacon, or at the very least picking up some of his social slack at these things. His shyness contrasts sharply with his desire to host these get togethers, and since I live here, I’m the co-host, so I’m responsible for making sure everyone has a nice time. Deacon is in charge of them being well fed.

He’s great at standing in the kitchen and letting someone chatter at him, though. He’s a good listener, but when it comes to talking, his words are few and far between in this crowd. I’m almost always filling in the gaps, but here Isaac is, engaged in an easy conversation with MalandRyan about their finance backgrounds and what it’s like to host a popular YouTube show.

Rachel and Priya show up when everyone’s standing around the island snacking from the charcuterie board and talking while Deacon chops herbs for a salad dressing. He’s flanked by Bailey and Millie while I’m with Isaac, opposite them. Isaac has an arm around my waist, and I’m unable to stop myself from leaning on him while I sip the delicious red wine sangria.

“Oh, Jesus,” Isaac says.

“What?”

“I know them.”

“Oh…right. Did you make a bad impression or something?” I notice the way Rachel looks Isaac up and down, zeroing in on his hand on me.

“Probably. Calyx was never very happy with me.”

All I know from Calyx is what I’ve seen of him with Sam. For the life of me, I can’t picture him with Isaac, but only because he’s so perfect for Sam. They’re constantly showing each other off, and they’re naturally playful in a way Isaac is not.

“Fancy meeting you here,” Rachel says.

“Hello, Rachel. Priya.” He nods at the two seemingly inseparable women.

Rachel gives us an appraising glance. “How’d this happen?”

Isaac shrugs casually. “You know how it is out there with dating, et cetera.”

“Is this the dating part or the et cetera part?”

“Hi Rachel,” I say, to remind her I’m here, and I’m a person, too.

She reaches out and pinches my cheek. “So cute. I was just teasing our Bay Area playboy. Where’s Apollo? I need to see for myself whether or not he could knock up a French Bulldog.”