Page 66 of The Shots You Take

Adam began to put it back on the table. “What?”

“Nah. I’m joking. It’s normal and it’s thirty dollars.”

Adam laughed nervously and got his wallet out. Bea was the clever kind of funny that he could never keep up with.

“I think Maggie will like it,” he said to Riley as Bea wrapped the candle in tissue paper.

Riley looked surprised, like he didn’t expect Adam to still buy Maggie gifts. And maybe Adam shouldn’t, maybe that was Ethan’s job now, but Maggie still meant a lot to Adam.

“So you guys really are good, then?” Riley said.

“Who? Me and Maggie? Totally.”

“I’m glad.” It sounded like Riley really meant it, no hint of jealousy or bitterness in his voice. Adam had always suspected, despite everything, that Riley had truly liked Maggie. He wondered if that had made things easier or harder for him.

Riley chatted with Bea for another minute, then he and Adam got out of the way when a new customer approached. They roamed from stall to stall, Adam wanting to see everything. They got in line for coffee, which Riley promised was excellent, and by that time Adam had bought the candle, a half dozen shortbread cookies, a half dozen thumbprint cookies, a packet of smoked salmon, a dozen chocolate macaroons, and a large Avery River Farmers Market tote bag to put it all in. Riley had wordlessly taken the bag from him, relieving the strain on Adam’s shoulder.

“I love the idea of making something like honey as your job. Living on a bee farm, selling your products at the market. It’s so…nice.”

“Nice?” Riley asked.

“Yeah! Just…making stuff. And selling it. It’s a nice life, I’ll bet.”

Riley’s lips tilted up on one side. “Probably. I know a lot of people here who have that sort of life.”

“I don’t know anyone who does that. Literally no one.”

They got their coffees, and as Riley was adding milk to his, he said, “There are some other friends of mine here I’d like you to meet.” He gave Adam his subtle, amused smile. “They make stuff. And sell it.”

“I’d love to meet any of your friends. All of them. Bea seemed cool. I didn’t really get to talk to her wife.”

“Nell’s awesome. We love her.”

Adam was confused by “we” but he nodded.

“Here,” Riley said, and began walking toward a table just past the coffee stand.

The sign above the table read North Shore Maple Syrup, and Adam was immediately on board.

“Riley,” called a loud and very excited voice. “Oh my god, darling. I didn’t expect to see you here!”

The man dashed out from behind the table, like Bea had, and engulfed Riley in a hug. He was tall—about Adam’s height—but very slim and blond. He was probably around Adam’s age, but could pass for younger. He was attractive and, unless Adam really was clueless about this sort of thing, gay.

“Are you okay?” the man asked. “Oh, no. Never mind. Forget I asked that. How awful of me. But are you okay?”

Riley smiled. “I’m okay. I want you to meet someone.”

The man then noticed Adam and gave him a very obvious once-over. And then a twice over. He looked back at Riley with wide eyes and hissed, “Is thishim?”

Riley blushed, which made Adam think that he was, indeed,him. He wondered ifhimmeant “the hot guy who’s visiting me” or “the absolute piece of shit who broke my heart.” Probably the second one.

“Darren,” Riley said, “this is Adam.”

There was a definite note of “you know,Adam. The guy Itold you about” in Riley’s tone. At least he’d mentioned Adam to at least one of his friends.

“Nice to meet you, Darren,” Adam said, and extended his hand.

Darren’s eyes kept darting between Riley and Adam as he shook his hand. “Adam,” he said. “You two used to be teammates, right?”

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