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his heartbeat. “You’re really going to enjoy dinner. Nick’s a wonderful cook.”
    William believed that Nick could be wonderful at a lot of things if he’d only just relax . Emily seemed to inch closer and closer until she practically sat on his lap. Instantly hard, he absently caressed her hair, loving the easy intimacy that had developed between them since their night in San Francisco. Nick’s hesitance was the only detriment to their fulfillment, he knew. But that could be rectified easily enough.
    He grazed a kiss on Emily’s temple, inwardly amazed by the new thoughts and emotions swirling through him. Other than adolescent “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours” sessions, he’d never been with another male before, had never considered it, and if he’d been asked two weeks ago about his orientation, he would have sworn that he was as straight as an arrow.
    But he wasn’t a bigot, and had never been put off when a man hit on him... Thinking back now, William was astonished to recall how often he’d been approached by other men, starting from his freshman year in college to the present. He’d always been flattered by the attention, had in fact even purchased drinks for men who’d cruised him in bars, but the thought of ever going home with one of those men, of having gay sex, had really never occurred to him before now. I never considered it a possibility. I never considered it at all because it wasn’t something I’d scheduled into my life planner.
    So what was the difference now? It would have to be Emily, of course. She was attractive, smart, and his equal in every way. Though their dating history was short and checkered, whenever he tried to imagine his life without her in it, William became saddened. Recently he’d attempted to envision life as a carefree threesome. In his fantasies, he and Emily always got along well. Emily and Nick continued their sexy vibe. But a block formed in his brain each time he tried to create a scene with only Nick and him as participants.
    Well, except for that one daydream where he caught Nick down by a pool--whose pool, William did not know--ripped down the muscular stud’s swim trunks and proceeded to give him the best head of his life...
    “Wake up, ya drunks!” Nick thundered, holding a silver serving tray in his gloved hands. “Follow me into the dining room. But be sure to wash up first.” He looked back at them with feigned disgust. “Sheesh.” As he turned a corner to go inside the dining room, the apron he’d donned swished behind him.
    William and Emily exchanged glances, each working hard to not burst into hysterical laughter.

    * * * *

    Emily nursed her third vodka tonic while trying to remain inconspicuous. Nick and William were engaging in a real, live conversation. So far no barbs had been exchanged and tempers had not flared. Nick seemed relaxed enough in his armchair. He reclined with his feet up on the ottoman, recuperating from his delicious vermicelli-spinach pasta. When he’d presented his fabulous homemade chocolate biscotti for dessert, William had taken one bite and had raved about Nick’s culinary skills.
    Flat on her back, Emily lazed on Nick’s living room floor, pretending disinterest. But she picked up bits and pieces, some mundane, some important.
    “I have to find a new apartment, quick,” Nick slurred, reaching for a glass of red wine. “With my associate’s salary, I don’t make nearly enough to stay after the building goes co-op. I’ve been in this apartment since my last year of college--and the only reason I was able to afford it then was because I had a roommate.”
    William looked concerned. “How have you been managing?”
    “When my roommate left, my older sister helped me out. Once the firm hired me, I was able to pay her back with interest, and even managed to begin saving a little money. But only a little,” he grumbled. “All of it will be eaten up by the time I hire a realtor and plunk down the