Page 9 of Dear Mr. Brody

“Of course.” He waved at Jax, and his husband smiled back at him.

“You know… I’ve never told anyone before.”

He held his hand to his chest. “Aw… I’m honored to be your fairy gay godmother. You’re like my very own bi Frodo looking for his Sam.”

I laughed and set my empty glass on the table. “Anders told me you have an unhealthy obsession withLord of the Rings.”

“Anders is an asshole.”

“Why am I an asshole this time?” Anders asked as he walked past Wilder and handed me another drink. “I saw you needed a refill.”

“Thanks,” I said.

“It’s in your nature, babe. You can’t help yourself.” Wilder kissed him on the temple. “I’m going to dance with my husband and celebrate the fact I wrote another fabulous book.”

Anders laughed. “So humble.”

“I do try,” Wilder said with a sly grin before walking, with his head held high, to the dance floor.

“He’s not really that conceited, you know,” Anders said, setting his drink on the table. “All that attitude, it’s a defense mechanism.”

“You think so?”

“I’ve known him a long time. He’s happy tonight. His book is published. He can breathe. You should see him when he’s behind on his deadline and hasn’t showered in a week. He’s not so arrogant, then.”

I laughed, unable to picture him not being elegant at all times.

“How are you doing?” he asked. “You’ve been hiding out over here all night.”

“I’m absorbing… everything.”

He chuckled. “The club scene can be a lot to take in. Not really my thing. I’m glad you came out, though, since Claire couldn’t be bothered.”

“Not surprising,” I said. “She’s not very social.”

“Understatement of the year,” he said, shaking his head with a laugh.

It was rare, getting to hang out with Anders outside of the office. Though I considered him a friend, he tried to be as professional as possible at work. He talked about his life, and his fiancé popped in all the time for a visit, but it was nice to see this casual side to him.

“You’re not an asshole, by the way,” I said over the rim of my glass. “Wilder was mad that you called his love forLord of the Ringsobsessive.”

“I’m simply an asshole who speaks the truth.”

A few people from the party started to crowd around the table. Some of them I recognized as Anders’s clients, and a handful from Bartley Press, but for the most part, I’d never seen half these people before. Ethan eventually made his way over from the dance floor, his hair sticking to his forehead with sweat as Anders leaned down to kiss him. I didn’t mean to stare, but it was impossible not to. A mixture of envy and wonder swirled through my veins, the gin lighting it on fire. Ethan pulled away, his face flush as he pressed another kiss to Anders’s jaw.

Feeling like an intruder, I moved my attention to take another look around the club and almost dropped my drink. “Oh my God.”

“What is it?’ Ethan asked, and I quickly stepped partially behind Anders.

“I think I saw one of my students.”

Ethan exhaled a laugh. “Shit, you scared me, I thought it was something serious.”

“It is serious. I’ve never felt this old in my life.”

“Welcome to the club.” Anders patted my back. “Just wait till you’re thirty-nine and you’re staring forty in the face.”

“Shit, I hope he didn’t see me.”

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