Page 33 of The Princess

“If you’re lucky, I’ll let you read it before it comes out,” Nash teased. Colby wasn’t much of a bookworm, but he didn’t hold that against him. Colby was his biggest cheerleader. He didn’t have to read his books to support him. They’d talked about this before when Colby had tried over and over to read one of Nash’s mystery novels. His Detective Marley series had hit it big, so Nash kept that series alive and well as his breadwinner.

“Are you going to publish it?” Colby asked.

“Maybe under a different pen name. I haven’t decided yet. It still needs a lot of work, though, so it won’t be any time soon.” Nash cracked his water bottle open and took a long drink. “How are things with you and Milo?”

Colby’s face went all mushy and soft, and it was kind of endearing. “You probably don’t want the details, but things are going very, very well between us.”

“I’m glad. You seem happy.” Nash leaned against the wall and fell into a comfortable silence with Colby. They’d always been that way with each other, and it was nice to not feel like he had to fill every moment up with something. That they could exist in the same space and that was enough.

Today, though, the silence allowed Nash’s mind to wander to Taylor and how alike he and Colby were. Both of them were fiercely loyal to their family and were willing to do anything to help someone. Colby looked more like Ethan than either of his siblings. Jonah and Taylor favored their mom. Not that Nash had met her. She’d been gone a long time before Nash met Colby.

There was a strong enough family resemblance that Nash could tell they were related. He’d never been attracted to Colby, though. Not even an inkling of heat had ever existed between them. There was also the fact that up until Colby met Milo, he’d thought he was straight. Nash hadn’t always agreed with that assessment, but it hadn’t been his place to say anything.

“You’re lost in space today,” Colby said, nudging one of Nash’s feet with his own.

“Literally,” Nash lied. “I was thinking about my book.”

“Writers.” Colby rolled his eyes. “Always so distracted.”

“Only some of the time. And you’re one to talk. I know you’ve been ogling your boyfriend this whole time.”

“Who could blame me? He’s hot as fuck. Oh, I almost forgot. We’re going to this drag show slash going-away party for one of the queens Milo used to work with, and we’ve been told to invite as many people as possible.”

“Going-away party?”

“Yeah, Ina Mood has landed herself an ongoing gig on a cruise ship. She’s off to see the world.”

“And you want me to come to a stranger’s going-away party?”

Colby shrugged. “And maybe bring a signed copy of one of your Detective Marley books. I’ll pay for it, of course. But she’s a huge fan.” Colby nudged Nash’s foot again. “Sorry, that’s probably overstepping.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m always surprised when I find out I have fans. It’s weird. But I don’t mind. I keep a few extras on the shelf at home. Who should I sign it to? No, never mind. I’ll sign it there. It’s more special that way.”

Colby threw his arm around Nash and pulled him into a side hug. “Have I told you lately that you’re the best?”

Nash pushed him off and got to his feet. “No, actually.”

“Are you heading out?”

“After a shower.”

“Need someone to wash your back?” Colby joked, waggling his eyebrows.

“Definitely not.” Although if he did need someone to do that, Colby was the wrong Bennett brother. Not that Nash was going to say anything to give away the fact that he wasn’t single. Definitely wasn’t single. He bit back a smile and waved Colby off. “Go pester your boyfriend. I can tell you miss him.”

Colby didn’t bother to deny it and got to his feet. “I’ll text you the party details, okay? Thanks again for agreeing.”

“Not a problem. See you later,” Nash said, and Colby clapped him on the back on his way by. Truthfully, Nash needed all the good will he could build between himself and Colby for when he found out about Nash’s relationship. If anyone was going to have a meltdown, it was going to be Taylor’s overprotective older brother.

Nash tried not to think too much about that, though. For now, he had enough to keep his mind busy between his writing and his boyfriends. He didn’t need to borrow trouble worrying about the reaction of his best friend. He had to have faith that it would all work out for the best in the end.

Gym showers weren’t Nash’s favorite place to be and it was less of a shower and more of a lukewarm, super-fast rinse to get the worst of the sweat off so he wouldn’t repel people at the coffee shop.

Part of his writing routine had evolved into including a couple of public writing sessions. It got him out of the house and around people, which helped him feel like he was still part of society and not this guy destined to become a bearded hermit, ordering groceries and never leaving his apartment.

Nash waved at Colby and Milo on the way out and headed to the nearby cafe he’d been a regular at for a couple of years. In the nicer weather, it wasn’t a bad walk, but today the autumn wind was cold and biting and Nash decided to drive the distance. Except when he arrived, the lights were off and the open sign wasn’t lit. After parking, he got out and went to the door to read the sign taped there.

Closed for a family emergency.

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