...“I brought you to fraternize with the wealthy, not cower in terror.” Alex’s words were annoyed, but the smile was indulgent.

Kevin jumped, so lost in thought he hadn’t heard Alex come up behind him.

“I’m perfectly happy staying right here.”

Alex clucked admonishingly. Kevin rolled his eyes.

“Come on, dance with me.” An outstretched hand accompanied the order. Kevin’s body moved without a conscious order, accepting the offer, even while his mind screamed, Don’t do it, idiot!

Alex’s hand swallowed his own, warm and callused. The touch sent a visible shiver through Kevin.

“I shouldn’t—”

“Yes, you should.” Alex smiled reassuringly, the expression so out of character that Kevin’s protest died, swamped in a morass of confusion.

Alex tugged him onto the dance floor, one hand wrapping possessively around his hip, the other holding on tightly to his hand. They began to sway, feet moving to the beat.

“I don’t really know how to dance,” Kevin said.

“No one does,” Alex replied. “I’m not asking you to do the tango. Just move around and smile a lot.”

“I suppose I can manage that.” Kevin grimaced, muttering a quick apology as he trod on one of Alex’s shoes, marring their formerly impressive shine.

“So, Cassie looked happy,” Alex commented.

“Oh. Yeah, she did. I guess David finally asked her to marry him.”

Alex’s step faltered and he stared. “Her and David? Wow, I didn’t know they were even involved.”

“Sure,” Kevin said. “Have been for ages.”

“You’re okay with it?”

Kevin wrinkled his brow, feeling very much like he was missing some important part to this conversation. “Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”

“I always thought…well, you and Cassie always seemed so close.”

“We are.”

Alex continued to stare in bewilderment. Kevin couldn’t understand… Oh. It wasn’t for nothing that he had a genius IQ.

“Cassie’s my best friend,” Kevin said. “Like a sister, really.”

“Huh.” The look still lingered.

“I’m gay,” Kevin clarified.

Alex stopped dead. He didn’t even look when another couple slammed into his back.

“You’re what?”

The loud tone made heads turn and Kevin’s face heated.

“Damn it, I didn’t think it was that big of a deal,” he muttered. “After all, you’re dancing with me!”

“Well, sure, but that’s because…I mean…God, Kev, why didn’t you…”

It wasn’t often that Kevin saw Alex at a lack for words. In fact, he couldn’t remember it happening before. Ever.

“Can we not do this in the middle of a crowd?” Kevin finally murmured. “Because people are staring. A lot.”

Alex didn’t say anything, but he didn’t need to. His hand wrapped around Kevin’s elbow, guiding him off the dance floor. Kevin got a good look at Alex and almost panicked. The man’s face was set in stony lines, eyes hard and furious.