Page 6 of Heartstrings & Hijinks

Gregory

I’d never had anyone stay the night in my home before.

Yesterday I would have said I didn’t enjoy having people in my space, which was why no one ever rode in my car or came to my house, but having Evan around all morning was nice.

Comfortable. Despite the awkwardness of the night before and the admission that we both had feelings for the other, we enjoyed our breakfast and coffee.

I loaned him a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt so he could shower.

Unfortunately, I didn’t keep extra toothbrushes around.

Maybe next time he was over, I’d have one.

And there absolutely would be a next time.

I didn’t believe for one minute that his talk last night had been drug-induced.

It was too real, too honest. Clearly he and I harbored similar feelings for one another.

Sure, it had allowed him to let down his inhibitions, but his attraction to me was real, as was mine to him.

I wasn’t going to let him deny it, and the two of us would be having a deeper conversation.

One that included an insight into those lacy panties.

“This car is sweet. I can’t believe I don’t remember riding in it.” He caressed his hand over the dashboard. Touching it only with his fingertips like he was afraid he’d harm it.

“Well, this is only the second time I’ve had a passenger,” I said.

After eating and drinking water, his headache had subsided. There was no reason for him to remain at my home except that I wanted him there. It would be best if I gave him space to think, though. Once he’d finished breakfast and showered, I offered to take him home.

“Wait, aside from last night?”

“No, in addition to last night. Nobody rides in my car with me.”

He grinned. “Possessive much?”

“You have no idea,” I said, slipping my sunglasses on.

“My address is—”

“I know where you live, Evan.”

“Right. Of course you do.” He chuckled. “You own the building, right?”

“I do, in fact, own the building, but that’s not why I know where you live. I’ve made it a point to know a lot about you over the years.”

“Because you’re friends with my brother and I work for you?” he asked. He knew the answer already, though. Perhaps he needed more assurance that I meant what I said about my interest in him. If we weren’t in a moving car, I’d take the opportunity to show him again physically how I felt.

I met his questioning gaze with a steady stare. I knew how to put heat behind my gaze, and I was doing it now.

“Oh.” He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

“You had a lot to say last night. Do you recall any of it?” I asked. “Let’s start with what I’m saved as in your phone?”

“Oh, goodness.” Evan groaned and buried his head in his hands, leaning so far forward he was practically under the glove compartment.

“Evan, there’s no need to be embarrassed.”

“There absolutely is! You could fire me for the things that came out of my mouth. You could fire me for having you saved as ‘Hot Gregory.’”

“So you remember what you said?”

“I can imagine the things I might say if given the opportunity, and I had no filter.”

I smiled. “Yes, you did mention fantasies.”

“Oh God.” This time, he slammed his head back against the headrest. His face was redder than a ripe tomato. “Listen, I won’t make anything awkward at work. Of course, I’m attracted to you. Any gay man would be. It doesn’t have to be awkward, and please don’t fire me.”

“You absolutely are not fired. You didn’t do anything wrong. Did you forget the part where I told you I feel the same way? And I kissed you. What I’m hoping for is the opportunity for us to get to know one another better.”

“What?” He turned to face me. The cramped space of my car may not have been the best place for this conversation. The hitch in his breath and the way he licked his lips while he looked at me was going to be my undoing. “How will that work?”

I didn’t realize just how quick a drive it was to his apartment. We were pulling into the lot faster than I would have liked. I needed more time if I was going to be making my pitch. But I also needed air if I was going to have this conversation without jumping him.

“I’ll cut to the chase, Evan. I’ve always been attracted to you, too. Before, you were my best friend’s little brother, and obviously, I couldn’t act on that. Plus, we were both younger then.”

“And now I work for you.”

“That is accurate. However, you do not directly report to me. If you say that you’re not interested and would prefer to keep things professional only, I’ll respect that. Or, if you feel the need to go to HR with a complaint against me, I’ll respect that as well.”

“No, nothing like that. It’s just… I’m having a hard time catching up with this conversation. Until last night, I didn’t know that my interest in you was reciprocated. Never in my wildest fantasies did I think this could ever happen for real.”

“That’s fair. I tend to keep my feelings to myself. Now that I know you’re attracted to me as well, I’d like to take you on a date and see where that goes.”

Evan’s eyes bulged. “For real?”

“Yes, for real.”

“A date, like dinner and a movie?”

My mouth turned down in a frown. “I think I can do better than dinner and a movie as far as date activities, but yes, for the sake of this conversation, that is what I am asking.”

“Oh, I—”

“If you need time to think—” We both spoke at the same time.

“Yes. No, I don’t need time to think. Yes, I want to go on a date.”

Relief flooded me, but I kept my expression neutral. “Great. Next Friday, six o’clock?”

Evan bit his lip. “That’s karaoke night.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t start until nine, unless the bar’s website was incorrect. If our date starts at six, we should be able to get to karaoke in time to meet your friends.”

Evan’s brow raised, and he tipped his head toward me. “You’re going to go to karaoke?”

“Of course. Unless you’d prefer to go on your own, which I respect. Then perhaps a Saturday date?”

“No, Friday is perfect. Six o’clock.” He hesitated. “Are we sure I’m not dead or in some sort of drug-induced coma?”

I chuckled. “You are not dead, Evan.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek.

“Please get some rest today and make sure you eat plenty of good foods and stay hydrated. I made arrangements to have a dinner delivered to you. I can text you what I ordered, and if it isn’t to your liking, then we can cancel it and order something else. If you need to take Monday off—”

“I should be fine.”

“Great. Then I’ll see you later.”

With great reluctance, I let him exit the car, and I kept my eye on him until he was safe inside the building. Later I would check on him, but it was important that I didn’t come on too strong, too fast. After all, a lot had happened in the past twelve hours.

Things were looking up.

I could be patient. I’d spend the next week preparing for our date and also adding a new detail to my fantasies about Evan—lace panties.