Page 59 of I Think They Love You

Denz adds a reminder to call her later.

The afternoon breeze kisses pink into Braylon’s cheeks. The same shade of his bow-shaped lips. Denz’s eyes linger for a second. Then five. He should go.

Problem is, he’s not sure how to say goodbye?

It was one spontaneous lunch. It’s not like he needs to hug Braylon or kiss him on the cheek. No one’s around to see them together.

“That was fun,” Denz gets out.

“Even being forced to eat food from The Varsity?”

“‘Forced’ is a strong word,” Denz says, jamming hands into his coat pockets. “Coerced, maybe.”

Braylon bites his lower lip. A flash of white teeth that used to leave gentle indentations around Denz’s nipple. God, he needs to go.

“Well,” Denz tries. “I won’t keep you. I have extra work now that we didn’t get much done.”

Braylon sniffs. “Are you calling me a distraction?”

“I’m saying get your ass inside before you catch the flu.” Denz exhales a plume of white smoke. Braylon’s slipped outside with only a beanie on, no coat. “You can’t have the flu with my big day around the corner.”

“Yourbig day? That’s not very boyfriend-like.”

Denz unhappily tilts his chin up.“Ours?”

“Better.” Braylon grins. “Next time, I won’t be so chatty. We’ll work at separate cubicles.”

Next time. Is that an open invitation?Denz wishes Braylon’s face wasn’t so enigmatic.

“Cool.” Denz coughs. “I’m just gonna—”

“Wait.”

Braylon edges closer. Denz can smell a hint of vinegar as he exhales. His warmth is overpowering, his soft palm grazing Denz’s cheek, his thumb stroking over Denz’s upper lip.

“You have—”

An unprovoked rush of muscle memory overtakes Denz. Hesteps onto his toes. His hands instinctively rest on Braylon’s chest for balance. His head tilts. He’s ready for…

“—ketchup. Right here,” Braylon finishes, pupils widening at Denz’s sudden proximity.

At Denz being inches from his mouth. Fromkissinghim.

“Shit!” Denz stumbles back. “I shouldn’t have—”

“No, no. It’s fi—”

“Sorry. Oh fuck. I’m so sorry.”

“Denz, are you—”

“Going,” he rushes out before Braylon finishes. “Bye!”

In the safety of his car, heat blasting, fingers gripping the steering wheel, Denz replays the last two minutes. FromI’m just gonnatoBye!

Every painful second.

He anticipates a text from Braylon. Any moment now. An official ending of their agreement.

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