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He raised his handsome gaze and furrowed his brow. “Did you justcall me a goober?”

“Yes, and it got your attention,” she said playfully. “Why sosolemn?”

He inhaled quickly as if snapping out of it, and met her eyes. “Wehave fun together.”

She nodded. “We do.”

“We talk about things that actually matter, and you’re charmingand flat-out gorgeous. I think you’re very attractive.”

She smiled. “I could say all of those same things about you.”

“But let me ask you this.” He sat forward, scooting to the edge ofhis chair. “Do you go home and think about me?”

“Of course.”

“I don’t mean about what we laughed about or what we ate. Do youthink aboutme?”

Now, that was a harder question to tackle, and Elle took a momentto figure out what to say next. He didn’t give her the chance.

“Because I don’t think about you.”

The coffee caught in her throat and she found herself sputteringand gasping in attempt not to choke. To his credit, Christopher leapt intoaction and slid a bottle of water her way. “You okay?” he asked softly, whenshe regained control. Why were his eyes kind when his words were cruel?

“Other than what you just said to me?”

His eyes widened and he looked genuinely horrified. “Hey, I didn’tmean that the way it sounded. It’s just…we’ve clicked, I feel like.”

“I thought so, too.” She liked him more than any guy she’d datedbefore.

“I could hang out with you all day and night, but I don’t thinkthe romance is there.”

“Yeah,” she said, reflecting on their time together. They had somuch in common, and she truly liked Christopher, but they’d pretty much steppedaway from the physical, to a soft and simple peck at the end of their dates.Nothing more. Shedidn’tgo home and think about him…at least, not likethat. Maybe she shouldn’t be so surprisedthat he’d noticed. “I guess it’s not there.”

She watched as relief took shape on his face. “I want you to knowthat this is in no way your fault. I think you’re an amazing woman and I stillwant us to be friends. To keep doing stuff together. But there’s something Ineed to let you in on, which may not be easy to hear.”

“Of course. You can tell me anything.”

“I’m gay.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

Elle laughed hesitantly. “No, you’re not. There’s no way.”

“Trust me. I used to think the same thing. Even very recently.”

She blinked. She blinked again. A third time. She tried on thestatement. “You’re gay.”

Birds wrestled in the birdbath nearby and he covered his eyes withhis hand. “This is new for me, too. I mean, it’s not. But it is new for me tosay it out loud. I’m thirty years old and I’m finally admitting to myselfwhat’s always been there.”

“Hey,” she said quietly, pulling his hand down from his face. Shereminded herself to focus less on her own surprise and more on her friend’sfeelings. This was a big admission for him. “You don’t have to feel embarrassedor nervous in front of me. What do I know about anything? I can’t even whistle.”That netted a small smile. To help, she gave it a shot, forcing air through herlips in an abysmal display. “See? I’m a wreck of a person.”

“No, you’re not. You’re put together. I’ve always thought so.” Hesat back in his chair and drank his coffee like a shot of bourbon.

“Well, I’m glad it looks that way.” A new thought descended. Shebrushed the hair away from her face and inclined her head. “Can I ask ifthere’s something in particular, other than your lack of connection with me, ofcourse, that has led you to this revelation? A someone, perhaps?”

And then it all came tumbling out like a pent-up confession. “Morelike every man on the planet. Including Dash, and if you tell him that, I’llkill you, friendship or not.”