Page 15 of Cosmo

Mick moved around to him and took his hand, shaking it wildly. “Good Irish stock. Good lookin’ too! Well, welcome aboard, boyo.”

As he smiled, all his yellowed teeth showed, and for some reason, Liam felt more at ease. He knew men like that. They rarely gave a good word to anyone. “Thank you, sir.”

He sat on a stool between Goldie and Mimosa. Mims, he was supposed to call the guy, but he wished he knew real names. He’d never liked nicknames or pet names. They reminded him too much of his young childhood.

Still, calling men drinks wasn’t as bad as honey, sweetie, or the like. Liam knew if he had to, he’d get used to it.

The food was amazing, and they all spoke together during the meal, laughter flowing and warmth growing. Liam saw them sneaking looks at him, each one of them, but he supposed that was normal. He was the new guy, and hopefully, they knew very little about him.

Abs was teasing Mims. “So, who is the new guy? And how long has he been in the closet and married to a woman?”

Mims laughed and confessed, “Seven years, and it’s just a date!”

Goldie joined in the teasing. “Well, that’s a relief! I’m sure his wife will think the same. It’s only a date, with a man.”

Mims stuck his tongue out at Goldie, but begged Haze, “Aren’t you going to defend me?”

“Not on this, my dear little brother. I enjoy brave men who don’t have wives, or husbands, or grandchildren.”

Murphy saw Liam’s wonder over the subject, and with his brows that he suddenly realized were drawn. “Liam, our sweet Mims likes older men. He’s got a daddy thing.”

“Do not!”

They all stared at Mims until he relented. “Fine but, damn! Older men are fire!”

“Thank you,” Murphy said, and Eazy smacked his arm. “Enough of that. This old bastard is all mine.”

Mick lifted his head from how he was hunched over his plate long enough to say, “And I don’t like willies—”

“I like the fillies,” they all chanted in unison, making Mick laugh.

“You all are a bunch of pricks.”

Back to razzing Mims, Haze asserted, “Find a guy your own age.”

“They’re all like me, and who the fuck wants to date someone like me?”

“Any of us would, if Murph allowed it,” Haze said, throwing a wink at Mims.

“I knew you wanted me.”

“No one’s allowed to date the other guys here?” Liam asked.

“No, it’s just better,” Murphy said. “I broke my own rule with Eazy, so he quit the team. If people break up and still have to work together, it makes a much less cohesive team.”

Liam didn’t get why the hell it would matter. They were bartenders, not cops.

Goldie backed up Murphy. “It’s better, yeah. Besides, we all are close friends, so we wouldn’t want to lose that.”

Abs blew Goldie a kiss. “Best friends!”

“Yes, Dark and Delicious, best friends,” Goldie growled.

Abs was pale, both his regular skin and enhanced by makeup, but he blushed bright red and blew Goldie more kisses. Dark and Delicious. That was a sweet nickname, even if Liam hated all nicknames.

“What’s up for this weekend?” Hippy asked as he pushed away his plate. He’d been quiet throughout the meal because he was concentrating on his food. “Any bachelor parties or anything?”

“Why? Got plans?” Murphy asked.

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