Page 10

TEN

BANE

After dinner, Jerryn and I walk up and down the boulevard, gazing into the closed shops. The weather is mild tonight, and lots of people are out.

“The city is so different from Willow Bay.”

Jerryn nods. “Very. I like the city for an occasional night out, but I prefer our quiet town. Does that mean I’m getting old?”

I chuckle. “No, because that would mean I’m getting old too.” I wrap my arm around his shoulders, pulling him close. “I think it just means we like where we live.”

He smiles happily. “Right.” We’re quiet for a few more minutes until Jerryn says, “Remember when Indy called with his crazy idea?”

“Sure do. It was like a shelter in the storm.”

“Not even a week before that we were talking about making some major changes. Then he called.”

“Meant to be, right?”

Jerryn nods. “I think so. Look at everything that’s happened since we moved back. Moby’s is booming and the house is amazing. All our friends found love too.”

“You’re happy here?”

“I am, but I’m glad we did it together. I don’t think I’d be happy if you weren’t here too.”

“I can guarantee I wouldn’t be happy if you weren’t here with me.”

Jerryn stops walking abruptly, turning to lean on the metal fence that borders the sidewalk and look out at the ocean.

“Something wrong, Jerr?”

He shakes his head. “Not at all. This has been a really good night.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. I did too, for the record.”

He smiles, but keeps his gaze on the softly rolling waves. “I feel like something’s in the air. Something new.”

I lean on the fence as well, facing him. “What do you mean?”

“Kind of like right before Indy called us about Moby’s. Remember?”

“Oh yeah. For a couple of weeks you said you felt like something was coming.”

“It’s not like I’m a psychic or something, but it’s as if the energy around me changes or something. Maybe it’s my own vibe.”

“Like going to the workshop?”

He nods, smiling. “Like that.”

Or maybe it’s the fact that after all this time, I’m finally stepping up to be the guy you deserve.

“I agree.”

His eyes light up. “You do?”

“Yeah. I can totally feel it. There is a change coming—a good one. I’m excited.”

“Should I be excited too? You really think it’s good?”

“I think it’s gonna be amazing if we stay open to the possibilities.”

“Okay then. Color me excited.”

I reach over and grab his hand, squeezing gently. “Ready to head home?”

“Yeah.”

I pull my phone out of my pocket and order a rideshare, then we walk to the corner so we’re easier to spot.

While we wait, I study Jerryn as he looks at all the people walking past us.

At this time of night, it should only take us thirty minutes to get home, and in that thirty minutes, I have to figure out how to transition from date mode back to best friend mode.

It’s not like I can kiss him goodnight on the doorstep.

Wish I could. I can’t count how many times I’ve imagined what kissing him would be like.

Are his lips as soft as they look? Would his breath catch as my tongue explored his mouth? Would he ever even want that? He’s told me before that kissing was one of the few physical activities he found himself craving. Could he crave it with me?

The car arrives just minutes later, and I hurry over to open the door for Jerr.

We get settled in the back seat, and Jerryn looks at the model kit we got while we ride.

It’s pretty small, but with a lot of details.

That could be something fun to do together.

Anything that makes his face light up works for me.

“Did you have fun tonight, Jerr?”

He nods, searching my eyes. “It was awesome. Thank you.”

“Date night?” the driver asks, glancing in his rear view mirror.

“Yes.” I answer before Jerryn can object. “We went to the museum and a great restaurant we both love.”

“Nice. I need to plan my next one with the missus. Maybe I’ll take a page out of your playbook.”

“Have at it, my friend.”

“How long have you been together?” the driver asks.

“Twenty years.”

Jerryn makes a weird choking noise and pokes me in the side, but I just wink and squeeze his knee.

“We met in college. Inseparable ever since.”

“That’s amazing, man. Congrats. Are you married?”

“No.” I glance at Jerr. “Maybe one of these days.”

“It’s nice, you know. I’ve only been married three years, but it’s great. My wife, she’s a treasure.”

“That’s nice to hear.”

“We’re saving up to buy a house, so I’ve been grabbing a few shifts at night just for some extra cash.”

“Smart.”

We chat about little things until the driver pulls up in front of the house. He peers out the window and whistles. “Now that’s a house.”

I chuckle, adding a tip through the app. “We share it with a group of friends. Thanks for the ride and good luck with everything.”

“You too.”

When we exit the car and walk up the sidewalk, I glance over at Jerr, who’s been quiet for a while.

“Anything wrong?”

“No. I was just wondering why you went along with his questions.”

“Why not? Besides, it’s pretty nice that someone treated us like any other couple, isn’t it? He assumed we were a couple instead of making it awkward.”

Jerryn nods, smiling. “Good point.”

“Did I make you uncomfortable?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “Not at all.”

“Good.”

I open the door to the quiet house. I guess most of the guys are still at the bar or up in their suites. Now to pull out my secret weapon.

“I grabbed a dessert from Wren earlier today.”

His eyes widen. “Not the Brownie Decadence?”

I waggle my eyebrows. “The Brownie Decadence.”

He gasps. “It’s not even my birthday.”

I laugh. “It doesn’t have to be. Want to meet in my room after you change?”

“Heck yeah.”

We walk up the stairs together then split up to go to our rooms. While he’s gone, I grab the dessert from the fridge, following the directions Wren gave me to heat it up in the microwave and then pour the caramel sauce over it.

It’s Jerryn’s favorite dessert, but he’ll only have it once or twice a month.

I set the plate on the coffee table then head to my bedroom to change into sweats. I hear my front door click and my stomach flutters. When I step into the living room, I find him already on the couch, wearing a t-shirt and yellow pajama pants, and dragging a finger through the caramel sauce.

Smiling, I join him and grab the remote to find the movie. Before I can start it, Jerryn puts his hand on my thigh, drawing my attention to him. He doesn’t say anything, so I jump in.

“Something on your mind?”

He exhales softly. “No. Yes, but not really.”

“Huh?”

Jerryn chuckles. “Nothing. Thanks for tonight.”

“My pleasure. We should do more stuff. We spend too much time in the house.”

His teeth graze his bottom lip. “That sounds fun.”

I could kiss him right now, just lean in and taste his lips, but I’d never do something like that without a conversation first. I would need to know without a doubt that he wanted that kiss as much as I do.

In this moment, the two of us simply gazing into each other’s eyes, I can see the future I’ve pined for. I want this life with him, and I’m willing to do whatever I have to to convince him we have what it takes to be a real couple.

“ Titanic ?”

He nods slowly, dragging his tongue over his bottom lip. “Yes.”

I click the remote and settle back as Jerryn puts the dessert plate on his lap and we both dig in. In a little while, he’ll get sleepy and I’ll suggest we cuddle, and then he’ll fall asleep in my arms, exactly where he belongs.