SafetyInNumbers-Final by Jessie G Page B

transformed into the big, bright, happy smile he’d only seen for the first time a few minutes ago. As far as answers went, he was going to read every possible thing he could into it. And get a little confirmation. “You good with that?”
    “I’m definitely good with that. Great even. Possibly perfect.” It looked and sounded like a promise, and that was good enough for Chris.
     

Chapter 10
    Billy
    “I hope this is okay?” Billy looked over to see Liam poking his head out the window as they eased through the line for the valet at the EPIC Hotel.
    “Okay?” Liam ducked back in the car, his eyes bright with excitement, and let out a sound that could only be called a squeal. “You’re taking me to Area 31!”
    That reaction was far beyond anything he thought himself capable of provoking in another human being. After the conversation with Chris, Billy’s confidence was so unexpectedly high that he dared to dream bigger than just pinning Liam to his bed and finally having his way with him. He even spent the hour it took them to eat dinner to work on his approach. The plan was admittedly simple—he’d walk Liam to his bedroom door, kiss him gently, possibly even chastely, and ask him out. Problem was, Liam made him too stupid to be smooth or gentle or chaste. Instead of asking, he just declared that they were going on a date and the kiss, well, there might be fires in hell hotter than the one they set in the hallway, but he wouldn’t swear to it. Liam had looked at him strangely, but he nodded and Billy had taken that as a yes.
    The next day, while they were having lunch over a dismantled engine, Liam asked the important details—like when and where—and Billy’s confidence plummeted as he realized he had no idea. Not wanting to look like the idiot without a plan, he’d suggested Saturday because he needed a few days to come up with something good and claimed the rest was a surprise. It wasn’t a lie. It was just going to be a surprise to both of them.
    Thankfully, he remembered Kyle and Javier raving about a restaurant downtown with amazing food and awesome views. They only teased him a little and warned that it was very fou fou, whatever that meant, but claimed it would be perfect for a romantic first date. Luck was on his side when he called for a reservation, and just like that, he was the man with the plan.
    Before he could enjoy that little confidence boost, Javier asked him what he was going to wear. It was no secret that he had to be physically restrained before he willingly put on anything considered dressy. That’s how he found himself watching Kyle and Javier sort through his closet and drawers until they dug out a pair of black suit pants he didn’t know he owned and a black silk button down that he wasn’t sure was his. He was certain Liam would take one look at him and ask who died.
    As a result, he’d never been more nervous about anything in his entire life and almost all of it was washed away by the pure happiness on Liam’s face. “So, I did good?”
    “You did awesome. I’ve heard a lot of great things about this place.” Liam cut himself off when one of the attendants opened his door. The little shit gave Liam a sidelong leer as he stepped onto the curb and Billy felt a growl well up from his toes. The other valet, big shit, reminded him to leave the keys in the car and Billy barely jammed it in park before jumping out to stalk his boy.
    “My man in black,” Liam murmured, sidling up close as he came around the car. Before he could snap and snarl at Liam’s admirers, his uber-perceptive date leaned in for a lingering kiss. “You look good enough to eat, Billy Bear. I’m gonna have to beat all the twinks off with a stick.”
    If there were Billy-management classes, Liam would ace them all. “I’m only looking at you.”
    “I might be a tad possessive, so that works for me,” Liam promised, his tone somehow teasing and serious at the same time. “Are you feeling possessive,