Page 2 of Jonathon, After All

Riley held on tighter to Jonathon’s arm, giving him a sober, pointed look. “There is a very big difference between being trouble and allowing a friend to help when you’re in trouble. Giles understands that and he knows your aunt. This is a safe place. I just have to give Giles a heads up is all,” he stated with a bouncing shrug.

“But we’re not friends,” Jonathon replied sadly, because Riley seemed like a wonderful person to be friends with. Jonathon didn’t have many friends and there weren’t any people in his life that he’d consider wonderful. Few were even what he’d call decent or kind.

“We could be,” Riley said with a hopeful smile. “If you accept my help and come inside. Our son, Milo, is at his cousin Jack’s for the weekend so we have an extra bunk bed if you need it.”

Jonathon nodded weakly. “If you’re sure,” he managed, shaken once again. He had no ready response for Riley’s kindness and sincerity other than “Thank you.” He ducked his head, blushing.

“Great! Stay right here,” Riley ordered and pointed at the tiles under Jonathon’s feet, then slipped around the door with the bag. The door swung open a moment later and Jonathon was yanked inside. “Welcome to 8B,” Riley announced warmly with a sweep of his hand at the quiet, airy hallway and the living room behind him.

A tall, gorgeous man peeked around the wall, offering Jonathon a bashful nod and a wave. “Welcome to 8B,” he repeated. “Make yourself at home but please don’t tell your aunt you’re here,” he added and disappeared around the wall again.

“See?” Riley said, his eyes sparkling as he smiled at Jonathon. “Giles is cool. I ordered enough for six people because I have hollow legs, so we have plenty of food if you’d like to join us for dinner.”

Jonathon opened his mouth to decline but his stomach let out another angry rumble. “I don’t want to intrude on your dinner too!” he said, clutching his stomach.

“Stop being silly.”

Riley had no idea how silly Jonathon felt as he joined them in the kitchen for kabobs, hummus, tabouli, falafel… The evening had been the culmination of a decade-long performance for Jonathon, the city’s most extravagant and vapid clown. And it was all the more surreal when Giles Ashby shyly passed Jonathon a wine glass and they gathered around the marble island for dinner. The conversation was easy and soothing with Giles and Riley allowing Jonathon to quietly observe as they teased each other and made plans for the rest of the weekend.

After the excitement at the Plaza, it was like dining in paradise.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Riley eventually asked Jonathon.

They had cleaned away their dinner dishes and made ice cream sundaes.

Jonathon sighed as he stabbed at the mound of whipped cream, melting vanilla ice cream, and chocolate syrup. “Not really but everyone will have heard about it by breakfast.”

“I take it you and the new Margrave have a history?” Riley guessed and Jonathon nodded.

“We spent a month together in Austria ten years ago. Aunt Muriel was friends with the old Margrave, Leo’s uncle, and she’d often stay at one of his homes or castles. We used to spend a lot of the year overseas—in Europe and in England—but most of Muriel’s friends are dead so we don’t travel as much anymore.”

“I see…” Giles said, trading wide-eyed glances with Riley.

“Did your month with Leo end badly?” Riley asked and a bitter snort burst from Jonathon.

“He filled my head with promises and lies and then he dumped me right before he became Margrave so he could run around with models and race car drivers.”

“I’m so sorry.” Riley’s lips pulled into a hard line. “I was cursed before Giles, and had my heart stomped on by legions of men, so I get it,” he said, but Jonathon shook his head.

“There was no one before Leo and legions of men couldn’t make me forget about him. No matter how hard I tried.”

“And now he’s here and everyone’s going to know, including your aunt,” Riley summarized, making Jonathon both extremely nervous and angry.

“It took him long enough. I’ve wanted this—wanted out—for years so I should have been prepared. Bags packed, you know?”

Riley gasped. “You really were her hostage!”

“No!” Jonathon shook his head. “Aunt Muriel can be…hell, but she loves me in her own oblivious, overbearing way. She can’t help herself, really, and she means well. She just has her own ideas and doesn’t listen to anyone because she doesn’t have to.”

Giles cleared his throat, grimacing as he gestured at Jonathon’s flesh-colored, skin-tight tux. “Was this her idea?” he asked and mouthed an apology.

“No. I always aim to look as ridiculous as possible when I leave the house,” Jonathon said, causing both Giles and Riley to frown at him.

“Why?” Riley sounded mystified.

Jonathon smirked as he licked the back of his spoon. “I didn’t want any of the men she threw me at and I made sure no one would ever want me, if I couldn’t have Leo von Hessen.”

“I was wondering why you were dressed as the Swiss Miss when we were introduced,” Giles said distantly.

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