DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT

The wedding took place at a renovated estate outside the city, all white stone and expensive flowers and guests whose shoes looked capable of paying Mason's rent.

Adrian became quieter the moment they stepped out of the car.

Mason noticed because Adrian never got quiet without a reason. At home, he had opinions about everything from grocery brands to the proper way to load a dishwasher. Here, he adjusted his cuff once, then again, and watched the entrance as though expecting bad weather.

"Hey." Mason touched his elbow. "We can leave."

"We've only just arrived."

"My escape plans are famously efficient."

Adrian gave him a faint smile. "I'm fine."

It was the least convincing thing he'd said all morning.

They entered hand in hand.

For the first twenty minutes, Mason did exactly what he'd promised: he smiled, ate canapes, and did his best not to tell anyone that the miniature crab cakes tasted like financial insecurity.

Then Daniel appeared.

He was handsome in the polished, deliberate way Mason associated with men who used words like networking as verbs. His blond hair was perfect, his expression carefully warm.

"Adrian. You came."

"I said I would. Congratulations."

Daniel's gaze drifted toward Mason. "And this is?"

Mason felt Adrian's hand tighten around his.

"Mason," Adrian said. "My boyfriend."

Daniel blinked, just once. "Really? I thought you two were roommates."

"We are," Mason said cheerfully. "Very economical romance."

Adrian made a tiny sound that could have been a cough or a threat.

Daniel laughed. "Well. I suppose surprises happen. Adrian was always the serious one."

"That explains why I can't get him to watch trash television," Mason said.

Daniel didn't look at him. "I worried, you know. After we ended things. Adrian can get attached to routines. Sometimes comfort isn't the same as love."

Mason felt a sudden flare of irritation. Daniel spoke as though Adrian were a predictable appliance he'd traded in for a newer model.

Before Mason could answer, a woman in an ivory gown approached them. Daniel immediately softened.

"Olivia," he said. "This is Adrian, an old friend. And Mason."

Olivia greeted them warmly. She seemed genuinely happy and genuinely unaware of the little needle Daniel had just pushed into Adrian's ribs.

Mason congratulated her. He meant it. Then he guided Adrian toward the garden under the pretext of needing air.

"You okay?" he asked when they were alone.

"You ask that a lot."

"You lie a lot."

Adrian looked at the fountain, where a little bronze bird was spitting water onto a bed of coins.

"He didn't do anything wrong by falling out of love with me," Adrian said. "I know that."

"But?"

"But he made me feel ridiculous for still loving him when he stopped."

Mason hated the idea so immediately that it surprised him.

"You're not ridiculous."

"You didn't know me then."

"I know you now."

Adrian turned toward him. Mason could see the vulnerability on his face before Adrian hid it.

"You know what I mean," Mason added. "You've spent two years making sure I eat something green every week. You once drove across town at midnight because I left my hard drive in a client's office. You remember things people don't even tell you are important. Daniel's an idiot if he thinks that makes you pathetic."

Adrian looked down. "You make me sound like a very competent mother."

"The world's hottest, most judgmental mother."

Adrian laughed, startled and genuine. Mason liked the sound more than he'd expected.

"There," Mason said. "That. Keep doing that."

Adrian looked at him for a long second.

Inside, the music shifted into a slow song. Through the glass doors, couples drifted onto the dance floor.

Mason held out a hand.

"Come on."

"You can't dance."

"I can move in approximate rhythm."

"That's what worries me."

Mason wiggled his fingers. Adrian took his hand.

They were bad at dancing for almost a minute. Then Adrian placed one palm against Mason's back and quietly guided him. Mason followed, mostly to avoid stepping on him.

"People are watching," Adrian murmured.

"Let them."

Daniel was watching, Mason realized. So were several others. But Mason had stopped caring about the audience.

He was much too aware of Adrian's hand between his shoulder blades and the way the man's expression softened when Mason finally got a step right.

"You're staring," Adrian said.

"I'm concentrating."

"On my face?"

"It's a very distracting face."

Adrian's steps faltered.

The song ended. Applause scattered across the room. Adrian stepped back a fraction too quickly.

"Let's get something to drink," he said.

Mason let him go, but the brief absence of Adrian's hand felt strangely noticeable.

At the bar, Daniel approached again. This time his smile was a little thinner.

"You always did know how to make a room believe you were happy," he told Adrian.

Adrian went still.

Mason turned. "What does that mean?"

"Nothing. Private history."

"Then maybe keep it private."

Daniel raised both hands. "No offense. I just know Adrian. He gives everything to a relationship. He sometimes forgets to ask if the other person actually wants it."

Mason saw Adrian's face close off. He'd seen that expression only once before, on the night Mason had slid away from him on the couch.

It made him angry in a way he couldn't package into a joke.

"I want it," Mason said.

Both men looked at him.

He could have stopped there. He probably should have. Instead he turned to Adrian and asked quietly, "Can I kiss you?"

Adrian's eyes widened.

"You don't have to prove anything," he whispered.

"I know."

For a beat, neither moved. Then Adrian nodded.

Mason put a hand against his cheek and kissed him.

It was meant to last one second. A convincing gesture, a clean edit, proof of a fictional relationship.

But Adrian's fingers closed lightly around Mason's sleeve, and Mason forgot to end the scene.