Vee laughed. “I think we need music!” She picked up her phone, and a few screen-taps later, music began to play out of the ceiling speakers. Then she offered her hand to Angus, which he took with a grin, and they danced over to the living room, sliding the coffee table out of the way. Michael shot up and offered his hand to Merry, which she happily took, and I stood up and held out my hand to Jordan. “Mr O’Neill, if I could have the privilege of this dance.”

He blushed and made a face but we danced, and it was fun and crazy and we all laughed as we danced, but a few songs later, Jordan and I were slow dancing, lost in each other’s eyes. I hadn’t even noticed Merry leave, but Jordan looked around suddenly. “Where’s Merry?”

Vee answered. “She thought it was time to go. I ordered and paid for her Uber. She said to say goodbye and you owe her coffee on Sunday. Something about lunch with a velociraptor.” She shrugged, and Jordan and I chuckled and went back to slow dancing.

“I like dancing with you,” he whispered below my ear.

“We should do it more often.”

Half a song later, I tapped Jordan’s arm and pointed with my chin. “Look.”

And there, near the wall of glass stood Angus, Vee at his front with her hands on his hips, and Michael behind him with his arms around Angus’ chest. They were slow dancing, three bodies moving as one. Angus had one hand on Vee’s hip, grinding against her while grinding Michael’s crotch. His head was lolled back on Michael’s shoulder, his eyes closed to the pleasure, and Vee kissed down his neck.

“I think we should leave them,” I whispered.

Smiling, Jordan nodded. “Probably a good idea.”

We grabbed our coats and waved goodbye to Michael, who now had Angus turned around. His smile was his only farewell, and we laughed out into the hallway.

“I don’t think we need to worry about those three for a while,” Jordan said with a laugh.

I took his hand as we walked to the elevator. “Do you miss that? That kind of intimacy? That kind of sexual bond?”

Jordan stopped and met my gaze. “Not at all. Do you?”

My smile was slow and full. “Absolutely not. They can have what they’ve got, and good luck to them. But what we have? Is perfect for me.”

“It’s perfect for me too. And you know what would make it even more perfect?”

“Season two of Deep Space Nine, hot chocolates, and cuddles on the couch?”

Jordan laughed and hit the elevator button a few times. “Goddammit. You shouldn’t speak dirty to me.”

I laughed just as the elevator doors opened, and we stepped inside, hand in hand, and ridiculously, grossly, fucking happy.

Three Years Later

Jordan