Page 125 of In at the Deep End

If Adam fancied him… If Matt fancied Adam…

That was none of Owen’s business.

So why did the thought leave such an unpleasant taste in his mouth?

Because Matt’s new to all this.

That had to be it.

Matt was only just discovering this side of himself.

It was a reasonable assumption, extremely practical, and nothing whatsoever to do with the tightness Owen had suddenly felt in his chest.

He glanced towards the pool. Matt had his head thrown back, laughing at something Felix had said. He seemed happy. Comfortable.

For some reason, Owen found himself hoping it stayed that way.

He realised Adam was still waiting.

“Well?” Adam prompted. “Are we free to flirt at will?”

Owen sighed. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t.”

Adam’s eyebrows climbed. “Because?”

“Because he’s my guest.”

It came out a little too quickly.

Gray exchanged a glance with Adam. Neither of them spoke.

Owen frowned. “What?”

Adam smiled into his beer. “Nothing.”

Gray’s grin was positively angelic. “Absolutely nothing.”

Owen knew those smiles. They’d seen something.

He just wished he knew what it was.

The afternoon slipped almost unnoticed into evening.

Somewhere along the way, somebody lit the candles. The solar lanterns threaded through the trees blinked to life one by one, soft pools of golden light replacing the bright afternoon sunshine. Music drifted across the garden, quieter now, conversations settling into smaller groups.

It still felt like a party, but one that had relaxed, Matt concluded.

The barbecue had given way to desserts. Empty beer bottles gathered on tables. A few guests had changed into shorts after swimming, while others had wandered barefoot across the warm paving.

In the lounge, half a dozen men were watching an action film, shouting advice at the hero as though he could hear them.

“Don’t open the door!”

“He’s definitely opening the door.”

“Told you.”

Laughter erupted.