Free November Rain by Daisy Harris Page A

laughter.
    Most days, Elias thought Nordstrom was the pinnacle of the American dream, but not today. This event—this wedding—was everything. Freedom and prosperity and even love and friendship all wrapped up together, and Elias couldn’t have been happier that Joe had invited him to come.
    Elias overheard a thread of conversation in Amharic, rougher and yet more melodic than the English around him. He glanced to where some men were half-hidden by a banquet table and unloading bottles of water.
    Neither of the men noticed Elias standing there, and Elias looked away before they saw him staring, but Elias was curious to hear their reaction to the event.
    â€œWhy did you agree to work, then?”
    â€œYou know how Helen is—can’t say anything about homos in front of her or you’d get fired.”
    The other man nodded. “I know. Can you believe this?”
    The first man curled his lip. “Disgusting.”
    A cold sweat spread under Elias’s clothes, and his heart raced with the same fear he’d had as a child when he knew his father had found out Elias had done something wrong.
    Scanning the room, Elias searched for Joe. He wove through the masses of smiling men, pretending he didn’t feel kicked in the stomach. It wasn’t until Elias was at the edge of the room that he caught his breath and fought back his panic.
    Joe didn’t see Elias anywhere, but he spotted Dan behind a buffet table with a member of the banquet staff.
    â€œThat’ll be great, thanks,” Dan said to the girl, sounding like he was dismissing her. “Just as long as people aren’t distracted by the desserts.”
    The girl nodded and then scurried away, leaving Dan standing at the edge of the party.
    â€œHey.” Joe stepped forward. “I know it’s gonna get busy once everyone sits down. So if I miss you later, congrats.” Here, with old friends around them, it was hard to still be pissed off at Dan for their breakup.
    â€œYou’re not leaving, are you? Though I understand if you have to. I’m so sorry about what happened with your leg.” Maybe it was the emotion swirling around from the ceremony, but Dan seemed genuinely sympathetic.
    Joe almost wished Dan wasn’t wearing such a kind smile. It reminded him of times when things had been good.
    â€œNah, I’m okay.” Joe’d loaded up on ibuprofen and stronger drugs that morning. “I’m not up for any dancing, though.” He gave a chuckle. The good thing about prescription-strength painkillers was that they made him not give a shit about the things he couldn’t do. “So long as Elias doesn’t wear me out too bad…” He was bragging but didn’t care.
    The awestruck way Elias looked at Joe made things so easy. Joe didn’t have to worry about what to do or what to say. Elias expected Joe to take the lead, and that was cool. At thirty-six, Joe knew how to top just fine. The emotional part…well, that Joe could fall into like a featherbed.
    â€œYeah. I was going to ask you about him.” Dan’s gaze darted around the room.
    â€œPretty cute, huh?” After the way Dan had kicked Joe out, he deserved to gloat.
    â€œI guess.” Dan frowned, his expression pissy enough to be petulant. “But he seems to have moved in pretty fast.”
    â€œYou may not have noticed for a while, but I’m a decent-looking guy.”
    â€œI’m just wondering what you really know about him.”
    â€œI met the kid a week ago. What do you expect me to know about him? He’s nice. I didn’t ask for a resume.”
    â€œHe was there when I came over the other day.”
    â€œSo were you. Maybe you’re the one who’s moving in.” A waiter came by with a tray of champagne, and Joe grabbed a flute.
    â€œJeez.” Dan took a glass for himself, drinking it with a hand on his hip. “You don’t have to be so defensive.