Page 11 of Labor of Love

as long as you’re still cool with it, I think it’d help me a lot

West

Yeah, it’s fine by me. I’m just glad to help you out

He was too good and pure for Luca’s bullshit. Luca winced. It wasn’t like he was taking advantage of West, but he still felt a pang of guilt all the same.

you’re sweet, thank you

I’m going to bed now, goodnight

West

Night

Conversation all wrapped up, Luca set his phone to “do not disturb” and placed it screen down on his bedside table for good measure. In the dark, without distraction, he simmered in a mess of his own making. He wanted West as more than just afriend, and while that was nothing new, it was the first time that taking their friendship to the next level felt within the realm of possibility.

He remembered West’s erection on his thigh.

The little sounds of pleasure he’d made.

Physical signs of arousal weren’t proof of emotional reciprocation, but the way West had been touching him, the way he’dkissedhim…

Luca let out a quiet sigh and closed his eyes.

It was best not to worry about it.

All he had to do was keep it in his pants unless West told him otherwise.

Easy peasy, platonic squeezy.

He was going to besonormal about this.

The next nine months were going to be a piece of cake.

6

WEST

At shortly after half past six on a Friday afternoon, the lock on the front door clicked as it disengaged. The hinges squeaked, and there was a shuffle as boots were kicked off and a jacket was hung on its peg…

But rather than the sound of socked feet padding casually down the hallway, the commotion was followed by a flurry of rapid footsteps.

Fast.

Heavy.

They thudded toward the kitchen, prompting West to put his back to the counter, where he had been slicing mushrooms for the risotto he planned to pair with that night’s meal.

Knowing what was to come, he widened his stance just in time for Luca to skid around the corner and make a mad dash for him. Before collision, he launched himself into the air and locked his thighs around West’s waist, arms latching on to West’s neck.

West caught him expertly.

There wasn’t time to say hello before Luca’s lips were on his, the kiss every bit as ferocious as it had been since they’d decided making out was a platonic activity, and like always since thatfateful day, in between pauses to catch their breath, Luca took to muttering such things as, “I’m beingsonormal about this,” and “this is a totally normal thing for friends to do,” which were odd things to say, but factually correct. They’d agreed on it, after all. As long as Luca was struggling with his pregnancy hormones, West would be there to fill in for the partner he was missing.

Luca deserved it.

He deserved more than it, really.

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