Page 114 of Last First Kiss
“Nicola, no,” Jordan warns. “He’s like thirty.”
Javi gasps dramatically. “I’m twenty-eight!” With an apologetic smile, he says to Nic, “Also, I’m very gay.”
“Let him help, Jordan,” Nic says. “It’ll only make the event better. And it’s less work for me.”
“You do realize this is free labor,” Jordan tells Javi. “As in after hours. Weekends. Any time not spent on the wedding is dedicated to this.”
Javi smirks. “Aww. You’re worried I’ll become a bland, lifeless bore who needs his ma to set him up on blind dates like you?”
Jordan’s nostrils flare.
“Damn.” Nic blinks. “You two have serious Reylo energy.”
“Who?” Jordan and Javi snap simultaneously.
“Never mind. Let’s focus on the task at hand, boys.” As Nic walks away, she says, “Kill each other or make out later,” in a deliberately low, but still audible, voice.
To Jordan’s utter annoyance, Javi’s quite useful.
His inexperience with no real budget or company backing shows when he suggests hiring a big-name caterer and incorporating a step-and-repeat. However, he makes up for it by using his previous ties with Elite Events to make calls. Within an hour, one of his former clients connects them to the Atlanta Hawks. They secure new basketballs and autographed jerseys to give away. Javi also convinces a brand manager at Coca-Cola—whose wedding he planned—to donate cases of water and sodas.
And, just to show off, Javi books an up-and-coming queer singer for a halftime performance.
Whatever.
The most important part: He stays out of Jordan’s way.
When the book club finishes, six teens join them in the small lounge area inside. Javi eagerly asks them their thoughts on the book. He laughs and shouts out quotes and buys everyone lunch.
Jordan still doesn’t trust him, but it’s not the worst day they’ve had together.
By 4PM, they’re finished. Jordan has lost almost the whole workday to this, but it feels good.Hefeels good.
That should’ve been his first warning.
Outside, Nic thanks Javi, then hugs Jordan. “See you for the Fourth of July festivities?”
Jordan nods. “Looking forward to eating my weight in your dad’s specialty barbecue wings.”
“Remind Tevin to leave the Roman candles at home this year. He almost set our house on fire last summer!”
“Again,” Jordan reminds her, laughing.
“Is Jamie coming with you?”
Jordan flinches. “W-why would he, uh, come… with me?”
He doesnotmean for his tone to sound so scandalized.
Nic eyes him weirdly. “Because he usually shows up? If he’s in town. You two rode together last year.”
Ah,that.
Back when they were spending time together. Casually.
When he looked forward to Jamie’s electric smile as Jordan climbed into the Jeep’s passenger seat. Those coincidental touches shared while reaching for the same food. Accidental ankle brushes as their feet soaked in the pool. Sharing a lounge chair during the fireworks. Watching Atlanta’s dark sky light up in bursts of red and orange and green.
It comes back to Jordan in waves. Thin smoke haloing in the air. Jamie’s laughter in his ear. Thesizzleandpopabove them. His bare shoulder brushing Jamie’s. Cool summer breeze against their shirtless backs.
