“Double-jointed,” John declared. “Gotta be.”
“Maybe just really bendy,” Wyatt replied, tilting his head to the other side to see how the man managed to arch so deeply. “Or missing a couple of ribs?”
John hummed, considering, looking mildly impressed and amused.
They managed to get through nearly half of the gallery, taking their time, talking and laughing, holding hands, and sneaking glimpses at one another.
Wyatt had never felt giddy before, but he was now, and he couldn’t stop smiling. Which he knew was ridiculous, but he didn’t care. John was confident and utterly at ease with himself and everything around him. Wyatt had seen glimmers of this version of John when he first started working with him at the hospital, but over the last six months, John had gotten quieter, smiled less, and had become somewhat moody, if not irritable.
Almost as though a darkness had settled over him that he couldn’t shake.
He wanted to know what had happened to him, but he knew they’d eventually have that conversation. Right now, he wanted to enjoy this—him.
“I believe at art shows, you’re supposed to be looking more at the art than the person you're with,” John commented smoothly, bringing Wyatt’s hand up and pressing it to his lips, not taking his gaze off the gymnast portrait.
Wyatt flushed, feeling the bearded kiss over his knuckles.
It could be like this.
Just like this—with him.
Always.
Wyatt swallowed, emotion gripping his heart like a vice, wondering if this was…
“Jelly,” a voice drawled behind Wyatt, making him jerk and spin, seeing Jin had gathered his art friends and had swarmed them.
Shit.
“Oh, my Daddy,” a gorgeous drag queen said in a stunning pink sequin gown with matching high heels, her gaze raking up and down John’s form.
Jin stepped forward, eyes darting between them, jaw unhinged.
Wyatt cleared his throat, “Jin—meet Dr. John Donnelly.”
The group of art friends swooned over the title, and Wyatt immediately regretted it.
“More like Dr. Daddy,” one of Jin’s friends hummed.
“You know them both?” another friend from the group asked, amazed. “Jesus, I need to up my game to hang with you, Jin.”
“You didn’t tell me!” Jin growled angrily at him before shooting John a serene smile, “Hi.” Jin then promptly twirled on his heel, hands whipping out in a flourish. “Ladies, do you mind giving us a sec?”
His group of friends sighed longingly and nodded, shooting Wyatt and John lingering glances before strolling away.
“Jin’s my best friend and roommate,” Wyatt explained to John, who politely held out his hand in greeting.
“Nice to meet you,” John said, and they shook hands. “The art show is fantastic. Wyatt told me you curated the pieces. You have excellent taste.”
Jin squirmed in delight. “Thank you. Glad you’re enjoying it, Dr. Donnelly.”
“Please, call me John.”
Wyatt tried not to laugh at Jin gushing and could empathize with his bestie. He, too, gushed whenever John stared a little too long.
Jin’s gaze cut icily to Wyatt’s, narrowing a fraction. “You didn’t mentionwhoyour date was, darling.”
“Didn’t know I had to,darling,” Wyatt retorted smoothly.
