Page 40 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Which path?”

“Augustine's.”

Ronan looked at Elliot. Elliot looked appropriately disturbed. Maybe a little too appropriately.

“You okay?” Ronan asked.

Elliot blinked.

“Yeah.”

Dylan rubbed the back of his neck.

“Anyway. Forget I said anything.”

“Sure,” Elliot said.

Ronan didn't believe him. A group shouted Dylan's name from the kitchen. He looked over.

“Coming.”

Then back to them.

“Don't disappear.”

He slapped Ronan's shoulder. Elliot looked at the hand. Dylan apparently possessed a death wish. He walked away. Ronan waited. Three. Two. One.

“I hate him.”

Ronan laughed.

“You don't even try anymore.”

“He's annoying.”

“He told you gossip.”

“He touched you again.”

“That's generally how friends interact.”

“I have friends.”

“You barely let Claire hug you.”

“She squeezes too hard.”

Ronan shook his head.

“You're unbelievable.”

Elliot's gaze remained on Dylan. Ronan watched him. There was something strangely beautiful about Elliot when he was jealous. Not the sweetness everyone else saw. That disappeared first. His features became sharper when he stopped performing. His mouth settled into a straight line. His eyes tracked whatever had irritated him with an intensity that would have made most people uncomfortable if they noticed. Ronan noticed. Ronan liked it. That was probably his own problem.

“Come here,” he said.

Elliot looked at him.

“I'm already here.”