WESTCHESTER
The GPS led them off the highway, through gates that opened without prompting, down a private drive lined with trees older than Atlas's company.
Alice's estate emerged gradually from the dark—all glass and clean lines, warm light spilling onto manicured lawn that stretched toward woods Noah couldn't see the end of.
Not showy. That was the thing about real money.
It didn't announce itself.
"Holy shit," Lydia breathed from the back seat.
Noah's stomach twisted tighter.
Atlas's hand squeezed his. "Breathe."
"I'm breathing."
"You haven't blinked in thirty seconds."
Noah forced himself to blink. His eyes burned.
The house got closer. Modern architecture—stone and glass and steel—but somehow warm. Inviting. Like someone actually lived here instead of just existing in magazine spreads.
Atlas parked between a Tesla and what looked like a vintage Porsche.
"Okay," Noah said. His voice came out weird. "Okay."
"We can leave whenever—"
"I know." Noah looked at him. "I'm okay. Just... give me a second."
Atlas leaned over. Kissed him. Soft. "Take your time."
In the back seat, Lydia was already unbuckling. "Come ON. I want to see inside."
---
The front door opened before they reached it.
Alice stood backlit in the entrance—dark jeans, white silk blouse, barefoot on heated marble. Her hair was shorter than Noah remembered. Choppy. Intentional.
"Finally!" She pulled Atlas into a hug. Then Noah. She smelled like expensive perfume and wine. "I'm so glad you came."
Her eyes landed on Lydia. Curious. Amused.
"And who's this? Your daughter?"
Noah choked on air.
Atlas laughed. "No. This is Lydia. Noah's sister."
"Oh my god." Lydia stepped forward. Hand extended. Professional. "Hi. I'm Lydia Wellin. Thank you so much for having me."
Alice's smile widened. "Polite. I like you already." She shook Lydia's hand. "Come in. All of you."
Lydia disappeared inside like she'd been here before.
Alice turned back to them. Her expression shifted—went serious for half a second. "I'm glad to see you happy." Her eyes were on Atlas. "A few days ago you looked—"
"I'm fine," Atlas said quietly.
"I can see that." She glanced at Noah. Smiled. "Good."
Then louder, casual: "Oh, by the way—Charles is here."
Noah felt Atlas tense beside him.
"Figured he would be," Atlas said. His hand found Noah's back. Stayed there.
Alice noticed. Her smile turned knowing. "Well. Come in. Everyone's out back."
---
The interior was exactly what Noah expected and nothing like it.
Open concept. Floor-to-ceiling windows. Mid-century furniture that was definitely original. Art on the walls that probably cost more than Noah's apartment.
But it felt... lived in. Books stacked on the coffee table. A sweater thrown over a chair. Wine glasses on the kitchen island.
Music drifted from somewhere outside. Laughter. Voices.
"Bar's in the kitchen," Alice said. "Help yourselves. Most people are by the pool."
She touched Atlas's arm. "Your cousin's been asking about you."
"I'm sure he has," Atlas muttered.
Alice laughed. Disappeared toward the back of the house.
Noah stood in the entrance. His heart doing something complicated in his chest.
Atlas's hand was still on his back. Warm. Grounding.
"You okay?" Atlas asked quietly.
"Yeah. Just—" Noah looked around. "This is your world."
"Our world," Atlas corrected. "If you want it to be."
Before Noah could answer, Lydia reappeared with a glass of something that was definitely not soda.
"Where did you get that?" Noah demanded.
"The bar." She took a sip. "Relax. I'm eighteen."
"That doesn't make it legal—"
"Leave her alone." Atlas was trying not to smile. "One drink won't kill her."
"You're the worst influence."
"You love me anyway."
"Unfortunately."
Lydia rolled her eyes. "You two are so gross. I'm going to find the pool." She wandered off.
Noah watched her go. "She's going to get drunk."
"Probably." Atlas pulled him closer. "But she's safe here."
---
They stepped outside through sliding glass doors that disappeared into the walls.
The pool was lit from underneath—that blue glow that made everything look like a dream. People scattered around it. Some in the water. Some on lounge chairs. Others dancing near the outdoor kitchen where someone had set up speakers.
Noah stopped.
Near the fire pit, a woman sat sideways on another woman's lap. The first had her arm draped around the second's shoulders. Both laughing at something a man was saying. Wine glasses in hand. Completely relaxed.
By the pool's edge, two men stood close. One's hand rested on the other's hip while they talked to a couple beside them—a man and woman who were equally tactile, her fingers linked with his.
Further back, three people on a lounge chair. A woman leaning against a man's chest while another woman gestured wildly with her hands, telling some story that had them all laughing.
The music changed. Someone turned it up. A few people started dancing.
Two men moved together near the speakers. One spun the other. Both grinning. Completely unselfconscious.
A man and a woman joined them. Then another couple—two women—one pulling the other close.
They all danced together. Laughing. Talking.
Noah's throat went tight.
Atlas's hand pressed against his lower back. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Noah managed. "Just—taking it in."
"Atlas!"
A man emerged from the crowd near the bar. Tall. Dark hair. Expensive watch. Atlas's eyes—but softer somehow. A stunning woman with deep brown skin was on his arm, elegant and effortlessly magnetic.
"Charles." Atlas pulled him into a hug.
When they broke apart, Charles's attention shifted to Noah. His expression didn't change. Just curious. Friendly.
"You must be Noah."
Atlas's hand was on Noah's back again. Deliberate. Visible.
Noah's pulse jumped. "Yeah. Hi."
"Charles Sterlins." He extended his hand. "Atlas's cousin. I've heard a lot about you."
Noah shook his hand. It was warm. Firm. "Good things, I hope."
"Exclusively good." Charles smiled, then gestured to the woman beside him. "And this is Selene."
The woman offered her hand — poised, warm smile. "Nice to finally meet you both."
"You too," Atlas said.
Noah nodded. "Hi."
Selene's smile lingered for a beat, then she and Charles shared a look that felt quietly practiced.
Then to Atlas: "Can we talk later? Privately?"
Something passed across Atlas's face. "Yeah. Later."
"Good." Charles squeezed Atlas's shoulder. Then nodded to Noah. "Nice to meet you properly."
They disappeared back into the crowd.
Noah exhaled. He hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath.
"That was—" He couldn't finish.
"He knows," Atlas said quietly.
"How—"
"He's observant." Atlas's thumb traced circles on Noah's back. "Come on. I want you to meet people."
---
Noah spotted Sienna across the pool. She saw him at the same time. Her face lit up.
"NOAH!"
She appeared in front of him. Pulled him into a hug that smelled like jasmine and made his ribs protest.
"Hi, Sienna."
"I'm so glad you're here." She pulled back. Her hand found Alice who'd materialized beside her. Their fingers linked automatically. "Both of you. Come on. I'll introduce you around."
She pulled Noah toward a group near the fire pit. Atlas followed. His hand never leaving Noah's back.
---
Three women, two men. All holding wine glasses. Mid-conversation about something that involved a lot of gesturing.
"Everyone, this is Noah. And you know Atlas."
One of the women—short dark hair, bright red lipstick—stood. Kissed Atlas's cheek. "Finally bringing someone around? Hell must have frozen over."
"Maya—"
"What? It's true." She extended her hand to Noah. "Maya Chen. Yale with this one. He's been talking about you."
"He has?" Noah looked at Atlas.
Atlas's neck flushed. "Maybe."
"Definitely." A man beside Maya laughed. "It's been nauseating, honestly."
" Nikolai, be nice." The man next to him elbowed him. Then smiled at Noah. "I'm Eric. This is my husband Nikolai. Welcome to Alice's annual 'everyone survives another year' party."
"Annual?"
"She does this every year," Maya said. "Gathers the people she actually likes."
"Much smaller guest list," a woman added. She had her arm around another woman's waist. Both smiling. "I'm Priya. This is James."
"And I'm Tessa," said the woman beside them. Her girlfriend—Morgan—waved from where she was refilling wine glasses.
Names blurred. Faces blurred. But everyone smiled. Shook his hand. Went back to their conversation like he'd always been there.
"—the acquisition is insane—"
"I'm telling you, they're going to regret it—"
"Remember when you said that about the last three acquisitions—"
Atlas's hand moved to Noah's waist. Casual. Easy. Like he'd done it a thousand times.
Noah's shoulders were up by his ears.
But no one looked. No one stared. No one cared.
Nikolai was leaning against Eric. Eric's hand in his back pocket.
Priya had her head on James's shoulder while she talked.
Tessa and Morgan were sharing a wine glass. Passing it back and forth.
Everyone just... was.
Touching. Laughing. Existing.
Noah forced himself to breathe.
Atlas's thumb traced his hipbone. "You okay?" he murmured.
"Yeah," Noah whispered. "I think so."
---
Noah's shoulders had come down. Just slightly.
He'd talked to Maya about Yale. To Eric and Nikolai about their nonprofit. To Priya about her startup.
Atlas had barely moved from his side. Hand on his back. Or waist. Or shoulder.
Each touch still made Noah's breath catch. But less now. Less like panic. More like awareness.
Around them, the party continued.
Two men by the pool pulled each other in for a kiss. Long. Slow. When they broke apart, laughing, another couple—man and woman—catcalled them.
"Get a room!"
"You're one to talk!" one of the men shot back.
Everyone laughed.
Near the outdoor kitchen, a man lifted a woman onto the counter. Kissed her. Someone walked past them to grab more wine. Didn't even blink.
Three people were in the pool now. Splashing each other. Shrieking. Two women and a man. One of the women climbed onto the man's shoulders. The other woman tried to knock her off.
Lydia was sitting with Sienna and Alice. All three laughing. Lydia gesturing wildly with her hands. Already flushed from whatever she was drinking.
"Your sister's fitting in," Maya said. She'd appeared beside Noah with fresh drinks.
"She always does," Noah said.
"Must be genetic." Maya handed him a glass. "You're doing pretty well yourself."
"I'm—" Noah stopped. "I'm trying."
"I can tell." She said it gently. "First time at one of these?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Little bit." She smiled. "But you're doing fine. Atlas looks happy. That's what matters."
She wandered off before Noah could respond.
---
Charles appeared again around nine. Touched Atlas's arm. "Can we talk now?"
Atlas looked at Noah. Is that okay?
Noah nodded. "Go. I'm fine."
Atlas hesitated. Then kissed Noah's temple. Right there. In front of everyone.
Noah's brain stuttered.
Atlas followed Charles toward the edge of the property. Beyond the pool lights. Where the yard faded into dark.
Noah watched them go. Tried not to spiral.
"He'll be fine."
Alice materialized beside him. Sienna's hand in hers.
"What are they talking about?"
"Probably family stuff." Alice sipped her wine. "Charles is good. One of the few Sterlins who isn't a nightmare."
She squeezed Noah's arm. "Come on. Sienna wants to show Lydia her darkroom. You should see it too."
---
Inside, away from the pool and the music, the house was quieter.
Sienna led them down a hallway. Photos on the walls. Black and white. Film photography. Gorgeous.
"You took all these?" Lydia asked.
"Over the years." Sienna opened a door. "This is my space."
The darkroom was small. Red light. Chemical smell. Photos hanging on lines to dry.
Lydia's eyes went huge. "This is so cool."
"You shoot?" Sienna asked.
"I want to. I have a film camera but I don't really know what I'm doing."
"I can teach you." Sienna pulled down a print. "This is from last week. Alice hates being photographed but I caught her off guard."
Alice in profile. Laughing at something off-camera. Completely unposed. Beautiful.
"She's going to kill you for showing people," Alice said. But she was smiling.
"You love it." Sienna kissed her cheek. Quick. Casual.
They looked at more photos. Sienna explaining her process. Lydia asking questions. Noah mostly watching.
This. This casual affection. This ease.
Sienna's hand on Alice's lower back while she talked.
Alice leaning into her without thinking.
The way they moved around each other like a dance they'd done a thousand times.
Noah's chest felt tight.
This is what it could be, he thought. If we weren't hiding.
---
They went back outside. The party had gotten louder. More people in the pool. More people dancing.
Atlas was back. Standing near the fire pit. Alone. Staring at nothing.
Noah crossed to him. "Hey."
Atlas turned. Something in his expression shifted when he saw Noah. "Hey."
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah." Atlas pulled him close. "Fine."
He was lying. Noah could tell. But before he could push—
"Dance with me," Atlas murmured.
"Here?"
"Why not?"
Noah looked around. People were everywhere. Watching. Talking.
But also not watching. Too busy with their own conversations. Their own partners.
Near them, Nikolai had pulled Eric into a slow dance despite the upbeat music. Both grinning.
Beyond them, Maya was dancing with Tessa, Sebastian and Morgan. All four laughing. No pattern. No structure. Just moving.
A man and a woman nearby. Her arms around his neck. His hands on her hips. Swaying.
Everyone just... dancing. Being. Existing.
"Okay," Noah whispered.
Atlas's hand found his waist. Pulled him close. Not quite dancing. Just swaying.
Noah's face pressed against Atlas's chest. He could hear his heartbeat. Feel his breathing.
Atlas's other hand came up. Threaded through Noah's hair.
They moved together. Song ending. Another starting. Neither letting go.
Around them, the party continued. But Noah didn't see any of it.
Just felt this. Atlas's arms. His warmth. The way he held Noah like nothing else mattered.
For the first time in his life, Noah was in a room full of people who could see him with Atlas.
And the world didn't end.
---
They said their goodbyes. Alice hugging them both. Sienna promising to text about photography lessons for Lydia.
Charles squeezed Atlas's shoulder one more time. Said something Noah didn't catch. Atlas nodded.
Lydia was definitely drunk. Trying very hard to pretend she wasn't.
"I'm fine," she announced. Then swayed.
Atlas caught her arm. "Sure you are."
"I am. I'm extremely fine." She looked at Noah. Very serious. "This was the best night of my life."
"Good," Noah said softly. "I'm glad."
"Your friends are so cool, Atlas." She patted his cheek. "You're so cool. I love you."
"Okay. Let's get you in the car."
She climbed into the back seat. Was asleep before they pulled out of the driveway.
---
Noah watched the lights of the house disappear behind them. Felt something settle in his chest. And something else rise up to replace it.
Atlas's hand found his. Laced their fingers together.
They drove in silence. The highway empty. The city glowing in the distance.
Noah wanted to ask about Charles. About what they'd discussed. About why Atlas had looked so tense after.
But Atlas's thumb was tracing patterns on his palm. And the question felt too heavy for right now.
So he didn't ask.
Just held Atlas's hand. Watched the city get closer.
And tried not to think about what came next.
---
THE APARTMENT
Getting Lydia inside was an adventure.
She kept insisting she was fine while simultaneously unable to walk in a straight line.
"I'm not drunk," she declared. "I'm just... tired."
"Uh-huh." Noah guided her toward her room. "Let's get you to bed."
"But I need to take my makeup off—"
"Tomorrow."
"But Sienna said—"
"Tomorrow, Lyds."
He got her into bed. Pulled the covers up. She grabbed his hand.
"Noah?"
"Yeah?"
"Tonight was—" She couldn't finish. "Thank you."
Noah's throat went tight. "Anytime."
She was asleep in seconds.
---
Atlas was in the bedroom when Noah got there. Standing by the window. Still dressed. Staring at nothing.
"Hey," Noah said quietly.
Atlas turned. Something in his expression shifted when he saw Noah. Went soft. Hungry.
"You okay?"
"Yeah." Atlas crossed to him. Pulled him close. "Really okay."
"What did Charles want to talk about?"
"Family stuff." Atlas's hands found Noah's face. "Can we not talk about it right now?"
"Atlas—"
"Please." His voice was rough. "I just—I need—" He couldn't finish.
Just kissed Noah. Hard. Desperate.
Noah made a sound. Surprise. Then heat.
Atlas walked him backward. Until Noah's back hit the wall. His hands were everywhere. Noah's shirt. His belt. His skin.
"Did you miss me?" Atlas murmured against his mouth.
"Maybe." Noah's brain was going fuzzy. "A little."
"A little?" Atlas's teeth found his neck. "Just a little?"
"Okay. More than a little."
Atlas pulled back. His eyes were dark. Intense. "Show me."
Noah pulled him down. Kissed him until neither of them could breathe.
---
Later—much later—they lay tangled in sheets. Both breathing hard. Both loose-limbed and satisfied.
Noah's head was on Atlas's chest. Rising and falling with his breathing.
"That was—" Noah started.
"Yeah."
Silence settled. Comfortable. Heavy with exhaustion.
Noah wanted to ask again about Charles. About what was said. About why Atlas looked worried when he thought Noah wasn't watching.
But Atlas's hand was in his hair. And his breathing was evening out. And Noah was so tired.
Tomorrow, he thought. We'll talk tomorrow.
But even as he thought it, he knew they wouldn't.
Some things were easier not to say.
Outside, the city glowed. Inside, they held each other.
And pretended everything was fine.
Maybe normal was never real — just whoever got to tell the story first.