Page 187 of Last First Kiss

Three months later

Sunday family dinners with the Carters are always extra.

It never fails.

Auntie Leena chases everyone out of the kitchen while she cooks. Tevin and Auntie Eva argue over their rival teams, no matter which sport. Uncle Kenny grabs anyone who’ll listen to him talk about his latest retirement hobby: This month, it’s photography. A game of Spades will turn into an all-out war with Cheryl leading the charge. Mikah convinces someone—usually Suraj—to time how long he can do keep-ups with his new soccer ball.

It’s noisy and goes on for hours and Jordan never misses a chance to be there.

But this dinner is different.

It’s his first family gathering with an actual, capitalizedBoyfriend.

He’s not nervous. Those pit stains on his Burberry cotton T-shirt? They’re from the heat. Autumns in Atlanta are warm. It’s scientific knowledge.

Anyway, Jordan’sfine. Not freaking out one bit.

The air is spiced with crunchy leaves and wood smoke and Auntie Leena’s signature hot apple cider.

Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy” plays from a Bluetooth speaker.

Everyone is spread across the wide patio: Nic, home for fall break, dipping her calves in the heated pool. His mom andAuntie Eva share their second pours of white wine on the cushy sofas near the fire pit. Tevin teaches Mikah and Suraj the Carlton dance. Poolside, Kami smiles while Orlando and Kenny clink beer bottles.

Jordan watches it all from his favorite lounge chair.

The same chair he flopped onto after swimming races as a teen. Where he’s seen a million sunsets. Where he’s sat under Fourth of July fireworks crackling against a dark sky.

A familiar kind of warmth wraps around him.Nostalgia. The comfort of his family, all right here.

Oh, and from the tall, hulking body he’s sharing this chair with.

“Look!”

Jamie swings his long legs around. They bracket Jordan’s hips from behind. He curls his arms around Jordan’s midsection, chest to Jordan’s back.

Jordan only tenses for a second.

This is new. Jamie’s never hidden his affectionate nature. He’s the quintessential border collie in human form. But it’s different now.They’redifferent now.

Jamie loves to hold his hand on walks. Rest his head on Jordan’s shoulder during movies. Softly bite the sensitive skin just under Jordan’s jaw while waiting on their smoothie orders. Kiss Jordan on busy streets. Open and sweet and deep.

Jordan can’t get enough of it.

Except, they’ve never beenlike thisaround his family.

It took Jordan a week to tell Denz. Another month to come out to Tevin and his mom. He wasn’t scared of their reactions. He just wanted time. To soak in that he was Jamie’s and Jamie was his.

Plus, he knew what would happen the second Cheryl found out. After the bone-crushing hug andI’m so happy for youandMadame Lorraine was right all along!, his mom did the expected: told everyone in the Carter family group chat.

Carter Confidential never disappoints.

Jamie didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he reveled in it. He’s alwaysbeen a Carter by association, thanks to Denz. Now, he’s part of the family for another reason.

A better reason, Jordan thinks.

Jamie has no qualms about staying true to himself. Which means he doesn’t notice the occasional glances they get when he hooks his chin on Jordan’s shoulder, their faces so close.

And, well, it’s enough for Jordan not to care either.