“I’m a DJ.”
“On the radio?”
“In a club.”
To Camille’s credit, it seemed like she was trying to be helpful. “That sounds fun,” she said.
“I’m curious,” one of the generic cousins chimed in. “What do a doctor and a DJ have in common?”
Wes fielded that one. “Not a lot, but we balance each other perfectly.”
“So that’s what you like about me,” I joked, “the fact that I’m the yin to your yang.”
“I like everything about you, Ash.” He sounded so sincere when he said that. “You taught me two people can be a perfect match not because of all the ways they’re the same, but because of all the ways they’re different. At the same time, you’ve opened up whole new worlds to me.”
“You’ve done the same for me.”
Again, this was a little too personal for the people gathered around the table, and after a beat, someone changed the subject. The conversation flowed over and around us while I tried to reel in all the emotions those words had stirred up in me.
I had to remind myself this wasn’t real. Wes was just saying things to make people believe we were a couple. I shouldn’t believe him too, no matter how sincere he sounded. But man, how I wished all of that was true.
After we finished eating, most of the group drifted back out to the patio. Eloise pulled Wes aside and said, “My dear friend Doctor Blanchard is going to be at the party tonight. As we discussed over the phone, he wants to talk to you about a position at a world-class hospital in Washington, D.C. It’s a wonderful opportunity, so please be on your best behavior. And for god’s sake, wear a suit.”
“You have nothing to worry about,” he said. “I know what’s expected of me.”
My heart sank when I heard that. I hated the thought of him moving back across the country, for purely selfish reasons.
Just then, Millie ran over, grabbed Wes’s hand and mine, and physically dragged us away as she announced, “You need to come play with me.”
Another family with children would be joining the group the next day, but for now she was the only kid in the villa. Even if she’d had other playmates though, I was pretty sure Wes would be her first choice of companions.
We spent the next two hours building a blanket fort in the secret courtyard, then hiding in it and reading books with her. I could see why Millie and Wes adored each other, as the only two introverts in the family.
She fell asleep after a while, and we tucked her in with a soft blanket before slipping out quietly and making our way to the kitchen for a snack. A young woman tried to wait on us when we got there, but Wes thanked her and said, “I haven’t had a chance to impress this beautiful man with my cooking skills yet, so I’d like to make him something myself.” She smiled at us and left us alone in the kitchen.
I sat on the counter while Wes put together the ingredients for a veggie omelet. Neither of us had eaten much at brunch, because it was embarrassing to stuff your face when a bunch of people were scrutinizing you. As he quickly and efficiently diced a bell pepper, I joked, “Hey, look at that. You really can cook.”
“It’s true. I can even do this.” He transferred the peppers to a sauté pan, then used one hand to flip them up and over.
“Impressive. I love a man with cooking skills, maybe because I have none whatsoever.”
“Have you ever wanted to learn?”
I shrugged. “Maybe, even though it always seemed like too much effort for one person.”
“I’d be happy to teach you,” he said. “I think you’d like it, since there’s a lot of opportunity to be creative.”
As he diced some mushrooms, I grinned and asked, “Are you offering because you think there’s a good chance I’ll eventually succumb to an all-Funyun diet?”
He smiled at me and exclaimed, “It could happen! I saw the size of that bag.”
“I’m so sad you didn’t try one.”
“I should have, just to satisfy my curiosity.”
We were still laughing and joking around a few minutes later, when Jack came into the kitchen. He’d changed into a form-fitting mint green polo shirt and white pants, and looked like he’d just stepped off a golf course. He totally ignored me and said, “I’ve been looking for you, Wesley. Can we talk in private?”
Wes turned off the stove and moved the pan of vegetables to another burner. Then he crossed his arms over his chest. “No. You can either talk to both of us or keep it to yourself.”
I whispered, “Are you sure?” Wes nodded.
“If that’s the way you want it, fine.” Jack looked uncomfortable, but he pressed ahead with, “I know I’m not your favorite person right now, but you and I were friends for a long time, so I’d be remiss if I didn’t say this.” He glanced at me and knit his brows before turning his attention back to Wes. “Nobody’s buying it, Wesley. I have no idea where you found this person, but we all know you two can’t possibly be a couple. That was a nice sentiment over brunch about opposites attracting, but come on. I know you, and there’s absolutely no way you’d be with someone like this. Please give up the charade, because it’s painful to watch you embarrassing yourself.”