"If there had been time," Asher murmurs, "before Anita even kissed me." He closes his eyes as Nathaniel's fingers slowly move through his hair, letting out a quiet sigh of relief.

"I wanted to come to you," he adds, voice still soft. "When I had showered. But so much is going on, there was no chance." He rests his hand on Nathaniel's knee, gently.

"I love Jean-Claude, and I always will. But I love you more."