Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“It’s the truth.”
After we finished our bath, we both put on warm, comfortable sweats and went downstairs to the kitchen. Since we’d been planning to have dinner at my uncle’s house, I didn’t have anything special on the menu. But there were enough ingredients to make savory crepes with a cheese filling, along with a side of roasted root vegetables. I also made mini tartlets for dessert, using some cherries I’d frozen at the height of their season.
Embry watched closely while I prepared dinner, eagerly tasting the samples I offered him along the way. He still treated every meal I made like it was a big deal.
We ate side-by-side at the kitchen island, our barstools so close that we were almost touching. Afterwards, I made him some hot chocolate, and we went into the lounge and curled up together on the couch.
“I have a silly little fantasy,” he said, after a while.
“Tell me.”
“I love it when you feed me while you’re cooking. Would it be weird if I said I wanted to eat an entire meal that way?”
“That sounds wonderful. When should we do it?”
“Surprise me.”
“Okay.”
Embry put his head on my chest and admitted, “I’d been thinking about that dinner idea for a while. I was too embarrassed to bring it up, but after tonight, I feel like I can tell you anything.”
I knew what he meant. Something had shifted between us this evening. Our connection felt deeper and stronger than ever before. The sex might have had something to do with it, but I thought it was because we’d both let our guard down and allowed ourselves to be vulnerable, especially Embry.
It made me happy and optimistic—two things I hadn’t felt in a very long time.
16
Embry
January was usually my least-favorite month. It was cold and gray, and the holidays were over, so the pretty lights were gone and there was nothing to look forward to. This one was very different, though.
It was definitely an unusual situation to live with someone I’d just started dating, but I was enjoying every minute of it. Ever since Christmas, we’d been sleeping in the same bed, and that was the best thing ever. Bryson was warm and cuddly, and both falling asleep and waking up in his arms felt wonderful. Of course, sex whenever we wanted it was another excellent perk, but I also loved doing the simplest things together, like baking, or taking Dusty on long walks, or sharing meals.
“I have to keep reminding myself we’ve only been going out for a few weeks, because it looks and feels like a serious, long-term relationship. Not that I’ve ever had one of those, but this must be what it’s like,” I told Hal and Vee, on a random Wednesday three weeks into the month. I’d brought Dusty over for a playdate with the cat and was happy to discover both of the guys were home. Between Vee’s job at a hotel and Hal’s design school schedule and three part-time jobs, this didn’t happen often.
“My advice? Just enjoy yourself and don’t overthink it,” Vee said, as he leaned back and spread his arms across the top of the couch. “You and Bryson have a good thing going.”
“You should be careful too, though,” Hal chimed in. He was definitely the most practical of the three of us. “I know it must feel super intense because you’re living together, but you’re right that it’s a new relationship. I’m worried you’re getting in too deep, too fast, and that you’ll get hurt if it turns out Bryson’s not quite where you are.”
“I’ve thought about that. I’m also a little worried, because I’m the first man he’s ever dated. Maybe he’ll decide he wants to explore his bisexuality, or maybe he’ll realize I’m not really what he wants...”
My voice trailed off, and Hal asked, “Have you two talked about your relationship and where it’s going?”
“Yeah, and we agreed to take it day by day.”
“Makes sense.” I nodded and started picking at my chipped, pale blue nail polish. After a moment, Hal added, “Assuming that’s what you want.”
I just wanted Bryson. I was falling hard for him, but I wasn’t ready to admit my feelings. The last thing I wanted was to scare him away by asking for too much, too soon.
Hal’s phone beeped, which took the focus away from me. Good thing too, because I didn’t know what else to say. He glanced at the text and grinned, and Vee teased, “Don’t tell me, let me guess. Is that another message from Buck McHorseshoe?”
Hal frowned at his friend. “You know his name is Ryder.”
“Close enough. If he sent you a dick pic, you’re contractually obligated to share it with your housemates. Especially me.”
“He’s a gentleman, so he wouldn’t do that.”
“That’s very sad. So, what did he send you?”
“Just a silly video,” Hal said, as he held up his phone to show us. “Whenever something makes him laugh, he sends it to me.”