Page 43 of Wants and Needs
“Okay, that means you’re kind of covered there, and I suppose you already called those lawyers?” He doesn’t look up, but I understand from context that he’s asking me.
“Yes, my parents talked to him last night, and the lawyer said the NDA prohibits Dirk from talking to any media outlets about his relationship with me, or about our family. It doesn’t say anything about physically staying away from me or mentioning we were together while in a public space.”
Theo hums thoughtfully, kneads the dough one more time before shaping it into a perfect round ball, then dumps it into a bowl and covers it with cellophane. Only once the bowl is inside the commercial refrigerator does he look at both of us.
“I think you should tell Tristan,” he says decisively and I want to groan. “Mainly because he’ll figure out a way to get this asshole to sign a way better NDA. I’ve seen him do that, and it’s pretty impressive what clauses he can come up with on the fly.” He sighs and walks over to Carter, then leans his hip against the counter. “I do think you can fake it without his help, though. But you need to figure out where you met, why you started dating, why you love each other, and you probably need to get to know each other a lot better. Pet peeves, likes and dislikes. Favoritefoods, colors, movies, TV shows, sports teams. All of it. If you were with this dick for a decade, there’s a good chance he’ll be able to spot a chink in your armor right away.” He points at Carter then turns to me. “But you can basically make up whatever you want about Carter if you’re put on the spot because he doesn’t know shit about Carter.”
“That makes sense,” Carter muses. Our eyes lock and I can’t look away, knowing and dreading the main thing I need to tell him for Dirk to believe we’re in a relationship.
I have no idea how it’s going to go when I tell Carter that when I’m in love with a man, I want to be touching him all the time.
And will I like it?
11CARTER
I makea list on my notes app while we walk to my place.
We need time and quiet to get through all this information, and we need... space, comfort. Fuck, I don’t know what we need.
I don’t knowhowI’m going to pull this off, I just know that I will.
I have to.
I won’t fucking be another person who lets Liam down after I’m the one who put us in this position.
Liam tugs me by the arm like he’s done twice before while we’ve been walking. I suspect he’s stopping me from bumping into people, since I’m looking down at my phone, and though I want to thank him each time, I need to keep focusing on the list so I don’t forget anything Theo said.
“I think we’re here,” he says what seems like only minutesafter we said our goodbyes to Theo, or at least it seems that way to me.
I look up and see the four almost identical buildings. “The second one is my home,” I tell him, and watch where I’m going this time as I lead him further down the sidewalk because the six steps to the front door are just uneven enough that if you’re not careful, you’ll definitely trip.
“Milton?” I call out when we walk in.
“Yes, mas—Carter?” he corrects himself even before he comes into view of the foyer. I go ahead and take off my shoes, and then look back to see Liam following my lead, frowning down at his feet.
I want to ask him what’s wrong because that’s not his normal resting frown face. I know that one, and it’s a tender, focused kind of frown. This one is... I don’t fucking know, more worried. But Milton’s footsteps are approaching, so I turn forward and see him come out of the kitchen door down the hallway.
“Milton, this is Liam Trent. He’s my friend. Liam...” I turn back to look at him without taking a breath. “This is Milton. Technically my butler, but he’s also like my best friend.”
Actually he’s my family, but I’ve never even said that to Milton, and I don’t think this is the time to start that conversation.
“Pleasure to meet you, sir,” Milton says, and nods like he’s meeting the royals or something.
“Nice to meet you too,” Liam whispers.
“Liam and I will be—” I stumble slightly over what to call it. I’m going to tell Milton what we’re doing, eventually, butprobably not in front of Liam because Milton will haveopinions. “Working together on a project.”
Not exactly a lie, is it?
“That’s wonderful, Carter. Would you like some refreshments?”
“I, uh.” I look back at Liam and ask quietly. “What would you like?”
“Some water,” he says, still speaking very quietly.
“That’s a good idea after the coffee.” I nod and once more look at Milton. “And can we get something easy for lunch? We haven’t eaten yet.”
“Of course.” Milton bows and then turns to walk back to the kitchen.
