Capítulo 26: Chapter 27

There was more than just the attraction to Nicolae that warmed Dustin’s chest and flushed his cheeks though. The group of them, the people, these were not the haters that Dustin had read about. They were caring, friendly; they were fun. They chuckled at Dustin’s comical reactions to the newness of the food. They cooed over his obvious attentions for Nicolae. They accepted him as one of their own, if only for the moment.

“More wine?” Christina asked, as they sat after dinner and lounged in every chair, couch, and scrap of mat within the small room. “Yes,” one of the young women giggled. “More wine for Dustin. He’s so cute when he dances with a wine buzz.”

Her statement was accompanied by another set of chuckles, “And also when he sleeps because of it.”

Another blush bloomed on Dustin’s face at the gentle teasing. “That isn’t my fault,” he said, laughing. “Your wine is strong enough to bring down a bull.”

“You were warned,” Nicolae reminded him.