Page 19 of Just a Bit Guarded

“My family is great,” Scott said with a wide smile.

Gadiel returned it weakly, trying not to feel envy or resentment. He failed. Did that make him a horrible person?

He looked back at Will and caught a wistful expression on his face. Their gazes locked, and something like understanding flashed through Will’s eyes. His hand on Gadiel’s shoulder tightened slightly, the touch becoming almost comforting—at least Gadiel took comfort in it. He leaned into the touch, stepping closer to Will as they walked toward the car.

It was such a nice evening, not too hot or windy.Gadiel smiled to himself, feeling happier than he’d felt in ages.

When they reached their car, Will dropped his hand and stepped away. “You need a ride?” he asked Scott over his shoulder, getting into the driver’s seat.

“Yeah, thanks,” Scott said before opening the back door for Gadiel and smiling. “Shall we?”

Trying to ignore a twinge of disappointment—he wanted to ride shotgun—Gadiel nodded and got into the car, and Scott followed him in.

“Put on your seatbelt,” Will said, meeting his eyes in the mirror.

His disappointment forgotten, Gadiel smiled at Will and stuck his tongue out.

Will snorted. “You really are a baby. Seatbelt, Gadiel.”

Rolling his eyes, Gadiel did as he was told. He would have put on the seatbelt anyway, but he liked ruffling Will’s feathers.

“You too,” Will said as he started the engine, glancing at Scott.

“Your bodyguard is a tyrant, Gadiel,” Scott said with a teasing laugh.

“He is,” Gadiel said, leaning forward and propping his chin on the back of Will’s seat. It brought his face close toWill’s hair. He inhaled deeply. Will’s hair smelled like Gadiel’s shampoo. It made sense, since the guest bathroom in Gadiel’s apartment had the same shampoo he used. Gadiel was pleased with himself for picking such a nice shampoo—it smelled even better on actual hair than he’d thought. Gadiel inhaled deeply again. “See, you’re such a tyrant that even a man who’s seeing you for the first time can tell.”

Will’s shoulders stiffened.

He didn’t say anything for a moment.

“Sit back, Gadiel,” he finally said. “You’re a driving hazard. Your breath is tickling my neck.”

Gadiel grinned and blew against Will’s ear. “Aw, are you ticklish? Is my perfect bodyguard scared of being tickled?”

“If we get into an accident and die, I promise you I’ll find a way to give you a hiding in the afterlife.”

Gadiel’s grin widened.“See what I have to put up with every day?” he said, turning his head to Scott.

Scott snickered. “Maybe you should fire him,” he said with another teasing smile.

Gadiel hummed, idly threading his fingers through the hair at Will’s nape. “Nah, I want to keep him,” he said. “He has his moments. Sometimes.”

Will made a soft noise that could almost be called a laugh. Gadiel grinned.

“I had fun tonight,” Scott said.

“Me, too,” Gadiel said, removing his fingers from Will’s hair with some reluctance—it was so thick and soft—and turning to Scott. “I haven’t been to a movie in ages. Thank you for inviting me.”

“Thank you for being a great date,” Scott said, reaching out and taking Gadiel’s hand.

“He was a horrible date,” Will cut in.

“Hey!” Gadiel said, snatching his hand away from Scott to slap Will’s shoulder with it. “I wasn’t!”

“You were. Youspent the entire movie clinging to me like a big baby and barely exchanged two words with him.”

Gadiel blushed. “I’ve changed my mind—you’re fired.”

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