Useless. “We’re colleagues,” I said smoothly. “I work at Phoenix House, where he’s the director.”
“How charitable of you,” Luke said, sipping an amber liquid from a crystal glass. We were in what Stephen had called the parlor before disappearing through a doorway. “Those poor children, needing such a place.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“That they don’t have anywhere else they feel like they can be safe,” Chad said, reaching out to squeeze Luke’s hand. Ah, so Chad and Luke. And Chase and Brad. And of course, Stephen and Adam, who I hadn’t met yet. All couples. Joy. “They don’t have families of their own.”
I squinted at him. “Do you… do you not know what Phoenix House is? I mean, sure, some of the kids are in foster care, and we do have homeless outreach, but that’s not the sole purpose of Phoenix House.”
“Oh, I’m sure it’s not,” Chad said quickly. “And I meant no offense.”
“It’s okay,” Jeremy said. “We’re… very protective of our kids.”
“That’s adorable,” Brad said. “Your kids. How sweet.”
He didn’t sound like he meant it at all. I hoped he would survive after I took him for everything he had.
Thankfully he was saved from a well-placed barb that would have gone over his pretty head when Stephen returned, f
ollowed by a smiling black man. He saw Jeremy and squealed loudly before rushing over to hug him tightly. Jeremy smiled as he patted his back. “It’s good to see you, Adam.”
“I couldn’t believe when Stephen told me you were actually coming,” Adam said, stepping back and holding Jeremy by the elbows.
“It hasn’t been that long,” Jeremy said.
“Liar,” Adam said fondly. “I’m just happy you’re here. And where is this—ah. You must be Corey. Stephen told me all about you. It’s lovely to finally meet you.”
I blinked in surprise as I held out my hand. “He did? That’s—” My hand was ignored as Adam hugged me too. He smacked a kiss on my cheek before pulling away.
“He was very impressed by you,” Adam said as he stepped back. “Said you had a good head on your shoulders. He was disappointed he didn’t get the chance to work with you.”
“Duty calls,” Stephen said. “We took on a big client at the firm at the last minute and needed all hands on deck.”
“Come,” Adam said. “Let me give you a tour of the house. And then we can sit and discuss why you’re here.” He took me by the hand and pulled me out of the parlor. I glanced back at Jeremy, seeing if he would save me, but he just smiled and waved.
Traitor.
“…AND THEY aren’t so bad once you get used to them,” Adam was saying as he led me back down the stairs. “Well, most of them. Brad is a dick, but we all have our faults, I suppose.”
“Understatement,” I muttered, mind reeling from the sheer size of the house. It seemed a bit much for just the two of them, though I kept that thought to myself. “He said I looked exotic.”
Adam made a face. “You have my permission to throw a drink in his face should the need arise.”
“Duly noted.”
Adam stopped at the bottom of the stairs, turning to look back at me. “Jeremy is a treasure. I’m happy to see someone else who understands that and isn’t trying to take advantage of him.”
I was alarmed. “Oh, hey, no, I think you’ve got the wrong idea. We’re not—”
“Together? Oh, I know. But you don’t have to be together to care about one another. And you care about him, don’t you?”
More than he would ever know. “Of course I do. He’s my friend.”
Adam smiled. “Can’t have too many of those. We miss him around here. It’s been ages since I’ve seen him. When Stephen told me he was coming tonight, I couldn’t believe it.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “He’s been… busy. We both have. Phoenix House is a lot of work.”
“I bet it is. And I can’t wait to hear all about it. The others will try and tell you that discussing business over dinner is uncouth, but Stephen believes that when people have their mouths full, it doesn’t allow them to say stupid shit.”