Page 30 of Perfect Blend

Despite the heavy makeup, I could see the blush creep up his cheeks. I stepped back and admired him as he smiled while Mabel presented the gift to him.

Once Mabel closed out the show, I tried to snag Dave, but someone approached us.

“Dave, can I ask you a few questions for the newspaper and get some photos of you with the mayor?”

“Sure, Richard.” Dave reached down like he was going for his pocket. “Damn.”

“What do you need?” I asked.

“My cell phone. I wanted to get a few photos before everyone scatters.”

“I can go grab it while you talk.” I smiled at the reporter.

“You sure?”

“No problem. I’ll grab us water too.”

He smiled. “You’re the best. Thanks.”

Once I reached the back room, I downed a bottle of water while accepting gracious praise from the handful of people changing out of their drag. After only a few days, I felt like part of the community. Several people had even teased me and asked when I would be moving to town. If they only knew how intriguing I found the idea.

I spotted Dave’s bag and rummaged in the front pouch for his phone. Once I grabbed it, the screen lit up with notifications, and the familiar Discord icon caught my attention. I didn’t mean to read it, but my brain processed the information before I could even think to look away.

The top notification showed my username from the DM with JavaJackOfAllTrades.

I stared until the screen went dark, then kept staring until I saw my own shock reflected. Dave was Jack? No way. But despite how illogical it was, my pulse quickened. I pressed the button on the side of the phone to light up the screen and read it again to make sure.

Bricker: Absolutely. I could use a chat too. Talk soon :)

A chat totalk about the feelings we’d each developed for mystery men.For each other.

I hustled to the staff restroom to let my mind race. Dave was the man I’d grown so close to over the past year? Jack was the man I was wildly attracted to and wanted to spend more time with? How could I get so lucky?

Jack and Dave were the same guy? That changedeverything.

Pure joy flushed the shock from my system. I couldn’t wait to tell Dave. I’d been interested in Jack for a while, but it had seemed unlikely that our easy vibe would carry into real life if we ever met. The person I’d grown to trust and rely on more than anyone else in the world was the same person I’d been trying to figure out how to visit once I returned to Seattle. I couldn’t wait to tell him. Surely he would be thrilled too.

I rushed out of the restroom toward the main room in the bar. Pop music blared over the speakers, but I could barely hear it over the thumping of my heart.

Several people approached me with compliments as I searched for Dave in the crowd. I did my best to be gracious but was completely distracted.

“Have you seen Dave?” I asked someone I recognized from one of my interviews.

She gestured toward the far side of the room. “I think I saw him over there talking to Travis.”

What the hell was Travis doing there? I pushed through the crowd until I spotted Dave’s sequined dress on the other side of the room. I could wait until Travis left so we could have a proper conversation. He was worth waiting for.

Travis smiled at Dave, but there was something off about it. Then I remembered when Jack told me about his ex’s various smiles. Jack—Dave—hated the one Travis used when he was trying to convince Dave that some new deal was a great opportunity.

My brain raced between memories of conversation snippets like a connect-the-dots drawing.Jack admitting I was the only person he’d been truly honest with about his marriage, divorce, and feelings. Saying he hadn’t even told his best friend all the details. Telling me he was grateful for the space to share and process his failed marriage. Making it crystal clear the only reason he felt so comfortable was because I didn’t know who he was in real life. That he could never be so open with someone who actually knew him.

If I told him who I was, I would risk taking away his safe space and ruining any chance Dave and I had of something more. If I said nothing, I would have to carry the lie and betray him before anything even began.

What the hell am I going to do?

CHAPTER10

DAVE

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