Adam shook his head and gave a choked laugh. “You asked earlier about boyfriends? None, since him. I’ll go out and have a good time, but I never go to anyone’s place. I never bring anyone back to mine.”

Nick drew back so he could look into Adam’s eyes. “Except me.”

“Except you.” Adam paused. “You know when I first knew I was going to fall for you?”

Nick shook his head.

“On the beach, when we were rescuing Quinn. That one guy was going to hit me, and you got in front of him. You took the hit. I’d never seen anyone do anything so brave in my life. Especially not for me.”

“I’m not brave,” said Nick. “Not at all.”

“You’re letting me hang all over you in a restaurant. I’d say that’s pretty brave.”

Nick smiled. “A deserted restaurant. And you’re not hanging all over me. I think you’re the brave one, putting up with all that. I’m in . . . in awe of you.” Nick felt heat crawl up his cheeks again, but he couldn’t offer anything less than honesty now. Not after that. “You’ve got your whole life together. You know what you want, and you’re even making a backup plan. I’ve got a drawer full of college letters that I’m afraid to open, and I’m living with four guys who don’t know I’m . . . ah . . .”

“Say it,” said Adam.

Nick shut his eyes and sighed. “Gay. I’m gay.”

“See? Brave.”

“I’m not—”

Adam kissed him. Gently, his mouth moving slowly against Nick’s. He pulled away before too long.

“Thanks for listening,” he said quietly.

“Thanks for telling me.”

“You boys need anything else?”

Nick started. The older waitress was there beside the table. He hadn’t heard her approach. Worse—he hadn’t felt her approach. Would she say something? He should probably start disentangling himself from Adam. His voice wouldn’t work and his face felt like his cheeks were going to burn clean off.

“No, thanks,” Adam said. He sounded amused.

She ripped a piece of paper from her pad and set it on the table. “You two are just the cutest ever.”

Nick froze. She didn’t care. They’d been head to head at this table, and she hadn’t batted an eye.

Adam winked at her. “Sounds like someone’s looking for a tip.”

“Here’s a tip,” she said. “Don’t flirt with old married ladies when you’ve got a sure thing in your arms.”

“Am I the sure thing in this scenario?” said Nick.

“I don’t know,” Adam said. “Are you?”

The waitress laughed and left them with the check.

“She didn’t care,” said Nick softly. “I know it’s stupid, but I thought—”

“What, that people would come out with pitchforks? Flaming torches?”

“Maybe.”