“You guys are so loud!” Xavier says. He walks out of his room shirtless, abs all exposed, which shuts Benny up.

Xavier’s carrying one of his cameras, which I noticed fairly early on is something he always has at the ready. He says he doesn’t look for inspiration in his photographs, inspiration finds him, and he has to be ready. He doesn’t spend much time in our suite, choosing instead to wander around town, searching for something that speaks to him. From the few interactions we’ve had, I really admire his dedication to his craft.

“Sorry, X,” I say. “This guy Benny is hooking up with randomly showed up, and he’s freaking out.”

Benny shoots me a “really, binch?” glare.

“What’s the problem? Let him in,” Xavier says.

“The problem is he denies our sweet Benny,” I explain. “Plays with Benny’s delicate emotions and then pretends he doesn’t exist.”

“Ahh, the self-hating type. Got it. Is that why Benny cries in the bathroom at night?” Xavier asks.

“Hi, I’m right here!” Benny says sharply.

There’s another knock at the door. I hear Jack’s voice calling, “Uh, hello?”

“Pretty much,” I say.

“Wow,” Benny says. “If I wanted to be invisible, I’d go to Italy and visit my homophobic nonno who once looked right past me and said, ‘I thought I heard something, but it was only a fairy,’ in Italian. Have you ever?”

“Brutal.” Xavier purses his lips. “Open the door. I have an idea.”

Benny does as he’s told.

Jack’s arms are folded. “What the hell, man?”

Rhett still won’t look at Benny, but by the look plastered across his face, he’s hovering somewhere between pissed and guilty.

“Sorry,” Xavier says, his hand caressing his own bare stomach as he saunters toward them. “That was my fault. I didn’t know we were expecting company, baby.”

He wraps his strong, muscular arms around Benny and gently tips Benny’s chin up toward his mouth, kissing him delicately. I don’t have to be on the receiving end to feel the power of that kiss.

When he’s done, he boops Benny on the nose then extends a hand to Jack and Rhett. “Xavier. Nice to meet you.”

Both Jack and Rhett stand stunned, but neither is as stunned as Benny, who wobbles and sways like he’s been put under a magic love spell. He takes a few seconds to snap back to his quippy self, and without missing another beat, says, “You really tuckered me out, babe.”

Then Benny glares at Rhett, whose cheeks are candy-apple red.

“You have a bathroom?” Rhett asks Xavier coldly.

“Right there, killer.” Xavier points the way.

“That was dee-licious,” Benny says once Rhett is out of earshot. “I gotta go find Rae and regain feeling in my legs. Ohmygod, you should totally come out with us tonight!”

“That was my pleasure.” Xavier licks his lips. “Maybe I will.” He looks to me for permission, and I give it.

“The more, the merrier,” I say, hoping three new bodies—Harry, Rhett, and now Xavier—are welcome at Chloe and Sofía’s.