THEY EAT ON THE COUCH, passing the container of cold leftovers back and forth and gossiping about everyone they know on Fourth. They don’t talk about what people on the show might be saying regarding them. Alex feels, in spite of the complications s*x supposedly brings, like he’s hanging out with Gemma. Being with Paul is easy and fun. But more than that, it’s comfortable. Alex has never been completely at ease around anyone. But with Paul, he feels muscles that have been tight for years relax. And Paul seems to enjoy him, too. He’s attentive and eager to listen to Alex, no matter what Alex is saying.
Alex doesn’t know what time it is when he finally retrieves his bag from where he left it sitting by the door and follows Paul upstairs to fall back into bed again. They don’t stop talking w
