“Flirt.” Tate nods. “Got it. Like when he called Gen an exotic bird and asked you for tips on handling him? Just flirting?”
I purse my lips. “He didn’t make an attempt to do anything else.”
“Okay, Cairo.” Tate pats my shoulder. “You live in your make-believe world, but my money says Luca is basically wooing you both and waiting for the right time to take his shot.”
“That's ridiculous.”
“Maybe.” Tate chuckles. “Maybe not.”
“You’re a brat.”
“I know.”
“Hey, boo.” Genesis bounces into the backroom with us, singing his greeting. He bops over to me, leaning in and kissing my cheek before winking at Tate. “I have some time to help close up.”
“I’m surprised Luca chatting with you didn’t put you behind.”
Gen pulls his head back, clutching his non-existent pearls. “Are you jealous?”
“No.”
“On that note…” Tate grabs his tray of pastelitos to prepare for the final surge of business we always get before we close for the day, then shuffles to the front.
I turn back to Gen, studying him.
“Come on, boo,” Gen says, tickling me lightly in the side. “Nothing to be jealous of. There’s enough of me to go around.”
I roll my eyes. “Not jealous. Just thought he took a lot of your time.”
“I can multitask. You’re coming out with us on Saturday, aren’t you?”
“Where are we going?” I stack two empty trays. “I’m not in the mood for a loud club.”
“Why don’t we invite ourselves to your place?” Gen’s eyes glimmer with mischief, a look I’ve seen many times, and maybe, possibly, fell for more than once. “You have all the makings of a great night out. Heated pool, alcohol, and three pretty boys.”
I laugh in spite of myself. “That’s fine. I’m always happy to have people over to help me fill the space.” My eyes linger on my friend for a moment, wondering if I’m brave enough to ask him what Tate pointed out. I should ask. Especially before Saturday. “Is there something going on I should know about?”
Gen gives me a fake innocent look. “Like what?”
“Tate said Luca is working on both of us. Do you think that’s true?”
“I think Luca is exploring what a friendship between the three of us can look like. Yes, he’s a little flirty, but so are we. He barely knows anyone in Miami, and he chose us to be his besties. If you’d stop looking at him so suspiciously, you’d be involved in a lot more of the conversations you keep getting jealous over. He wants to talk to you more, but he thinks you’re standoffish.” Gen dots the tip of my nose with his index finger. “Real talk? With him, you are.”
I nod, leaning on the counter behind me. “I guess you’re right. I just didn’t know how to read the situation.”
Gen steps in front of me, putting his hands on my shoulders and flashing that gorgeous smile of his. “Why so hung up on it, boo? This isn’t like you. Where’s my go-with-the-flow Cairo?”
He’s hiding behind the jealous-as-fuck-someone-is-going-to-steal-you-away-from-me-before-I-figure-out-how-I-feel-about-you Cairo.
“Sorry, Gen. I don’t know. I guess all this time I thought Luca’s focus was on you, so I couldn't figure out why he wanted me around too.”
“Now you know.” His hands slide down my arms. “Your place then? I’ll text Luca the address.”
“My place.”
Gen smiles, clutching my hands in his. “You trust me, right?”
“Stupid question. You know I do.”
“Good. We’re gonna have a ton of fun, the three of us. Just remember to trust me if you get a little hung up.”
I search his eyes for the hidden meaning of his words, finding nothing. “Okay, Gen. I’ll go along with this.”
He leans in and kisses my cheek. “Fun. Now, let’s clean up.”
By Saturday, my nerves are nearly shot but I can’t figure out why. Maybe it’s the fact that I haven’t once managed not to get jealous of Luca’s attention on Genesis whenever we hang out. Tonight, there’s no club or music or other friends to distract me from it. I’ll just have to sit and watch him make moves on my best friend, torn between wanting them both and being too afraid to cross the line with Gen.
Standing in the bathroom, I finish styling my recently longer curls. Gen insisted I would look hot letting my hair grow, and I have to admit, I’m into it. It doesn’t escape me that I totally did something Gen said to do because he thought I would look hot. I really don’t get my reaction to him, or when it shifted. I’m Cairo Alejandro Diaz the Hookup King. I don’t catch feelings. Fuck, Gen isn’t even my type. He’s a twink for fuck’s sake. I like my men similar to Luca, all masc and smooth, and yeah, white. I’m a sucker for a pretty white boy.
I open the cream I use on my light beard to make it soft and smell yummy. A nostalgic laugh bubbles out of me, remembering how I used to see Gen as my enemy. He always seemed like he was trying to one up me in front of Saint. I knew he was a better baker than me, and for weeks after he was hired, I was messing up all the time because he had me all fucked up. Then, one night after work, he praised me in front of Saint for how well I made the Pan de Mallorca, that he couldn’t stop craving them with his morning coffee, and a fledgling friendship was born. It’s been a push and pull kind of relationship, but in my heart, I know Gen has my back. I have his too.
It’s just that the addition of Luca has me fucked up. He’s so hot. If I’d met him out at a club, I would have turned on the magic and made him mine, but now I feel like some kind of weird third wheel, and I’m not sure how I got in this position. If Luca wants Gen, why doesn’t he leave me out of it? Gazing at my reflection, Tate’s words from the other day come back to me. If he’s right, then Luca’s trying to get both of us in bed. I can’t decide if that sounds amazing or terrifying.
My phone buzzes on the vanity, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Hey, boo?” I answer when I see Gen’s name flash.
“Hey, snoogs, I’m on the way. Need me to stop and pick up anything? I already have the cocktail makings.”
“No. Food should be here shortly after you guys arrive.”
“Perfect. See you soon.”
“Door’s open.”
“Kisses.”
He ends the call, and I sigh, stretching my neck back and forth. Since we’re just hanging at my house, I choose a pair of loose fitting knit pants and a T-shirt. It’s not cold at all yet, just perfectly cool after a balmy summer. Still barefoot, I pad out to the living room, gazing around the ridiculous size of my place. It’ll be nice to have people in it besides me for a few hours. Sometimes, I honestly can’t believe it’s mine. Maybe I’ll eventually settle into it, and host parties or maybe even get a roommate or two. It needs people in it. This house needs a soul.
“The party’s arrived,” Gen’s voice calls out from the cavernous foyer, his sing-song tone echoing off the marble floors.