Page 46 of Wear It Like a Crown

* * *

All right. So that had been awkward. And kind of strange as well—after all,Leohad been the one to call Joshua cute; he’d started it. So why had he frozen up at Joshua countering with, “But I think you’re cuter?”

Leo was the epitome of mixed signals.

Tangling a hand in Mo’s shaggy hair, Joshua forced himself to pay attention to Nate. Main concerns of the public, right. Potential effects on foreign relations and how to counter those concerns, yes,thatwas what this was about. It was all about preparations for Joshua’s interview.

Oh God, the interview. Joshua didn’t think there was any way he’d be ready by Tuesday; two days wasn’t enough. A year wasn’t enough.

Fuck that, though. Fuck those doubts and fears. Joshua wouldn’t back out now, and two days would have to do.

Being ready was a choice, wasn’t it?

* * *

They finished a rough outline for Joshua’s replies to predetermined interview questions by five in the afternoon. By six, they’d done a couple of run-throughs; Mo, Tristan and Nate watching while Leo took the role of the interviewer and fired off question after question until Joshua’s ears were red and his eyes were wide and unhappy, curls mussed up from how often he’d been running his fingers through them. Leo could tell he was growing more anxious with each minor stumble, with each answer that didn’t come out quite the way it should.

Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. Maybe they should go with the usual, scripted speech instead of an interactive exchange between Joshua and David Dimbleby. It had seemed like a good idea at the time, something lively and engaging rather than a dull monologue, but… maybe this wasn’t working.

Leo lowered his question sheet and sat back, shaking his head as he tried to find the right words. Joshua pre-empted him.

“This isn’t working.” Joshua sounded dejected, and fuck, Leo wanted to hug him, tell him it would be fine, that they’d work through this together.

“Joshua, I was much harsher than Dimbleby will be. Let’s not give up just yet.” Leo set the sheet aside and rose from his chair. Settling next to Joshua on the sofa, he draped an arm around Joshua’s shoulders because if there was one thing he’d learned, it was that Joshua responded best to physical contact. Joshua came easily, pliant and quiet. A moment later, Tristan and Mo joined their huddle, crowding close. Nate hovered until Leo snagged his wrist and dragged him down as well.

With Joshua pressed all along his front, Leo could feel him take a deep, shuddering breath. Joshua’s fingers curled into Leo’s T-shirt. Someone’s knee was digging into Leo’s side, but he barely noticed, too focused on Joshua’s solid warmth, the weight of his body and his curls tickling Leo’s chin. Good God, Leo was so in love with him.

Wait.

Wait, what the—no.No. Leo wasn’t. He couldn’t be. There was no way,no way, he could be in love with Joshua. It was his past getting all tangled with the present, and if only he’d had a chance to take a step back and think, this would never even be an issue.

Slowly, Leo loosened his arms around Joshua’s frame, pulling away just slightly. At the movement, the others shifted back to give him some space while Joshua’s grip on Leo’s T-shirt tightened.

“Love,” Leo told him softly, and his heart skipped a beat. There was no doubt that the others had caught his slip, thatJoshuahad caught it. Leo needed to get a fucking grip. He needed to continue. “You’ve had enough. Let’s call it a day. Eat some ice cream and veg out in front of the telly? Fresh start tomorrow.”

“Please?” Joshua cleared his throat. When he raised his head, there was a wet sheen to his eyes, and Leo wanted to kiss it better.

“I’ll get the ice cream,” Tristan announced, sliding off the sofa.

“Bring the vodka too,” Mo told him, and Tristan gave a thumbs-up.

Joshua’s smile was wobbly, but it was there. Past the point of rational thinking, Leo skimmed his fingertips along the line of Joshua’s jaw, quick and light, while Joshua held perfectly still for him. His gaze was fixed on Leo.

What are you doing?

Leo dropped his hand. He shuffled further away, up against Nate’s side, and when he finally looked around, it was to find both Nate and Mo watching him curiously. How much had they seen? Had it all been plain to read on his face, right there, exposed? Had Joshua picked up on it? Leo didn’t dare glance at him.

He took a deep breath. “Let’s watchGame of Thrones,” he said loudly, his own voice jarring in his ears.

“Is that the one with the incest?” Mo asked.

“It’s the one with the boobs,” Tristan called from the kitchen.

“There’s male bums too,” Nate supplied helpfully, and Mo’s gaze snatched to him with open interest.

“You into that?”

Seriously? It seemed Joshua and Tristan hadn’t been kidding when they’d called Nate too subtle for Mo. Leo glanced at Joshua just as Joshua glanced at him, and they shared a tiny smile. Since Nate seemed at a bit of a loss, Leo answered for him—because Leo was an awesome friend, thank you very much. Also because it helped distract him from the carbonated liquid bubbling in his stomach.