Free Kiss Is a Four-Letter Word by Erin M. Leaf Page B

it," Simon explained.
    How in the hell is Simon managing to speak in complete sentences? Eli thought.
    "Oh, so, Eli inherited all this?" Sherry gestured with her hand, indicating the glittering people and band and food all around them.
    Eli nodded. "Yeah, but I made Simon my equal partner in the business." He pursed his lips. Was it possible she didn't know his background? When she tilted her head inquisitively, he decided to explain things in a way that no magazine interview ever had. "I had no idea who my dad was growing up. When he died, a bunch of lawyers came to our apartment." He jerked his head at Simon. "And they told me my dad was John Ellis Blackwood the third and that he'd left everything to me. I was shocked. I had no idea."
    Sherry blinked. "You didn't know your father growing up at all?"
    Eli shook his head. "Nope."
    "Jesus," she breathed. "And then you inherited, what, everything? That must have been overwhelming."
    "Yeah, kind of. I was only twenty-two. If I hadn't had Simon around to help out I think I would've gone insane."
    Sherry pursed her lips. "My sister-in-law explained about your money, but she didn't mention the part about not knowing your father."
    Eli swallowed, looking away. "No one except my close friends and family know. My dad was a very private man, or so I'm told. He never gave interviews to the press. No one really questioned him about his family. He and my mother knew each other from elementary school and kept in touch. When she wanted a child, he offered to help. I didn’t really think much about not having a father." He jumped when he felt a gentle touch on the back of his hand. He looked down, not surprised to see Sherry's fingers slide around his.
    "I'm sorry. That must have been difficult to handle." She took a deep breath. "My dad was an alcoholic. And a total bastard. He died a few years ago. Sometimes I think I would've been better off if he'd just left us alone when I was little."
    Eli frowned. "Was he abusive?"
    Sherry chewed on her lip. "Well, sort of. My older brother Zeke took the brunt of it, and my mom. The last time he freaked out and tried to beat up my brother and his lover. He went to jail for that."
    Wait, what? Eli thought. Lover? "Your brother has a lover? I thought he was married."
    Sherry blushed and looked away. "Um, well, he kinda has both."
    "Both? Both what?" Simon asked, his voice low.
    Sherry took a quick swig of her water. When she put it back down her fingers traced designs across the glass with the condensation. "Well, he's technically not actually married. He and his best friend Eric met Carrie and they both fell in love with her. So, now the three of them live together. They had a kid together, my nephew Jake."
    Eli tried to understand what she'd just said. "Wait, she's with both of them?" For some reason his damn hard-on was still going strong.
    "Well, they're with each other, too." Sherry smiled wryly. "That's why I thought it might work with you and Simon." She glanced at both of them before continuing. "You know, dating both of you? Because I know it can work."
    Eli tried to clear his throat and speak. Simon beat him to it.
    "Um, yeah, except for the part where Eli and I aren't together." Simon sounded like someone was trying to strangle him.
    Eli's heart lurched as he remembered the kiss they shared upstairs just a little while ago. Was Simon going back on what he said earlier? If so, Eli was personally going to rearrange his face. He tried not to look at his friend for fear he'd give away his growing anger, but failed. How could Simon say that? He glared at his friend and Simon met his eyes for a split second before looking away. Hmm. Was he afraid Sherry would freak out? Eli wanted to shake him. Hello? Remember Sherry watching us kiss? It was a good thing he knew Simon so well or he'd have popped him one before he figured out what the hell was going on in Simon's head. At least his prick had finally calmed the fuck down.
    "Oh." Sherry said. She bit