Knight reached out, wanting his hand in his again. Saint easily joined their fingers, making Knight’s ribs feel too tight once more.
“Just texted my best friend,” Saint said, glancing up at the house. “She’s hosting, so she’ll be out in a moment to let us in.” He let out a nervous laugh. “Fuck, I’m so nervous. You know I’ve never met her before? Not physically. Ever.”
“You’ll be fine,” Knight said, nudging their shoulders together. “After all, you did great when you finally met me.”
Saint burst out laughing, which had been Knight’s intention. “She chose her name after me, you know,” he said shyly. “Teresa’s the name of a “saint”.” He said it with the air-quotes. “When she did that, especially after knowing how I felt about my name, I knew she would be my best friend forever.”
Before Knight could ask, hungry for more, to knoweverythingabout him, he heard the gate sliding open.
A dark-skinned woman about the same age as Saint came rushing out. She was just as tall but a little less thick than her best friend, with straight dark hair that went all the way down to her hips. She was wearing a simple, white strapless dress thatclung to her modest bosom and flared out to her knees, her feet in strappy, scary-looking black heels, a silver choker at her throat. The choker and material of her dress shimmered slightly in the house’s security lights as she moved, like the wings of a fairy.
“Saint!” she screamed.
Knight let go of his hand so Saint could go and greet his friend. They met in the middle with a tight hug. Saint lifted her off her feet, spinning her around and making her squeal with delight.
“Oh my God! Drop me before you break your fucking knees!”
Saint laughed. “Are you calling me weak?”
“Okay, Mr. Macho Man.” Saint dropped her, and she cupped his cheeks. “Oh my God, Saint. Is that you, yeah?” she teased, and he laughed. His scent was so sweet right now, airy and light. “And who’s your friend?” she asked, turning to look at Knight. She eyed him up and down, her expression going sly. “Yourhandsome, ridiculouslytallfriend, might I say.”
“Behave,” Saint said, still grinning, still smelling so fucking sweet. “This is Knight. Knight, meet Teresa.”
“Hi,” Teresa said, holding a hand out for him to shake. “Are you famous?”
Saint snorted out a laugh so startled it looked like he’d hurt something.
Knight shared an amused look with him. “I am not.”
“Are you single and, more importantly, are you interested in women?”
“Teresa!” Saint gasped, blushing.
“What?” she asked innocently, fluttering her eyelashes. They were ridiculously long and as white as her dress; each time she blinked, they reminded him of the flapping of delicate butterfly wings.
“Nice to meet you,” Knight said with a grin, Saint’s happiness like his own. “And yes, I am single, and I don’t care aboutgender. Honestly, I’m just waiting for this guy here to realise what a catch he is so he can take all my advances seriously.”
“Knight,” Saint said, scandalised but so obviously pleased. Fuck, Knight wanted to roll around in his scent like a beast.
Teresa was squealing and pretending to fan herself. “I can’t believe it!Howhave you been hiding him from me?”
Saint ducked his head, playing along. “We’ve only just—things are still new, okay? I didn’t want to say anything until I was sure. Don’t ask me any more questions.”
Teresa laughed, miming zipping her lips. “Gotcha. Oya, come, come! There’s dancing, there’s suya, there’s games, there’s everything! Do you drink, Knight?”
“Neither of us has ever had alcohol,” Saint said quickly before Knight could ask“Do I drink what?”
“Really?” Teresa looked delighted. “Is that going to change tonight?”
Knight glanced at Saint at the same time that Saint looked at him.
“I don’t know,” Saint began, his eyes bright, his grin even brighter. Almighty, it was like looking at the sun. “What do you think, Knight? Shall we let loose tonight?” His eyes twinkled.
Knight grinned almost ferally. “Yes, we shall.”
“Let’s fucking go!” Teresa pumped her fist.
SEVEN
