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Adam sipped his wine. There hadn’t been another person in that bedroom for nearly a year. If he’d just kept his mouth shut a bit longer, Ben would’ve said something to give away that they worked together. It would’ve clicked then, and at the right moment, Adam could’ve hidden his surprise and…

He sighed and took a big gulp of the wine, a little running down his chin. He wiped at it and then set his class down on a marble coaster. The past couldn’t be undone, so there was no point in imagining how things could’ve gone. All he had now was the future.

Drawing his phone out, he stared down at it a moment before tapping the screen. He went to his contacts and stared at the top of the list. His emergency contact was still his younger brother, but he’d put Ben in there with a number one in front of his name so the phone sorted him to the top. It felt a little silly, but no one else ever saw this phone anyway.

Adam dropped the phone when a message came through, the sudden buzzing having startled him. He snagged it off the floor, and his heart thudded when he saw Ben’s name. He swiped to open the message and read it.

I see you aren’t in the club tonight.

Adam had thought about it but decided to stay home. I’m at home. I didn’t feel like going out.

A reply came right away. Too bad. It’s packed tonight.

Adam wrote back. I don’t like it when it’s too crazy.

How do you like it?

Adam exited the texting app and dialed Ben’s number, praying he would pick up. He did, after four rings.

“Gonna be hard for me to talk,” Ben said, the sounds of the club blasting as he shouted into the phone.

“I can wait. Go outside.”

Ben didn’t reply, but he didn’t hang up either. The sounds varied for a few minutes before lessening. Adam heard what seemed to be a car door slamming.

“Okay,” Ben said. “You gonna answer my question?”

“You gonna explain your question?”

Ben was silent for almost a minute. “You said you don’t like the club when it’s crazy. You mean you like it quiet?”

“I only go there a few times a year. When there’s no live music. When it’s more mellow.”

“You mean you aren’t out every night, dragging men into your arms?”

“We’ve already talked about that. Did you text me just to tease me? After ignoring me all week?”

“No. When you weren’t in the club, I wondered if you were home.”

“I am. Sitting here on my own with a bottle of wine.”

“Sounds cozy.”

“You mean lonely?”

Ben chuckled. “No, I mean cozy.”

“I guess it is. Maybe.” He paused before he said, “But it’s also lonely.”

“Can’t help you there.”

“You can. Come over. I can’t wait until Monday to see you again.”

Ben hesitated. “I can hardly get into my apartment, you know. All the damned flowers.”

“I’m not apologizing for them.”

“Didn’t expect you to.”