Page 49 of Love Potion

“But it was clear early on that you didn’t respond the same way. I learned why eventually, and I was happy enough to be friends with you. As our relationship grew, I knew I wasn’t worthy of you. I was such an ass when I was younger. I knew you couldn’t see me as an option the way I was, but I’ve grown up, Jerr. I know what’s important now and what isn’t.”

“Sex is important.”

“Intimacyis important, and we have that. Do you know how many times the guys have asked why we’re not dating? They can see what we have.”

I remember the recent questioning I got too.

“I wasn’t going to say anything,” Bane continues. “I made myself happy with the way things are, because I get to spend all my time with you. I get to hold you sometimes, and I never wanted you to feel uncomfortable around me if you didn’t feel the same way.”

“Alec calling changed your mind?”

“Yep. I was so damn jealous I didn’t know what to do with myself. The night you met with him, I was fucking wreck. I thought I might’ve lost my chance, and I knew if he hurt you again…” Bane shakes his head. “Wouldn’t be good.”

“I had no idea.”

“I know, and that pisses me off too. You couldn’t see how I felt about you because of all the bullshit other people have planted in your head. Then you came in here last night and you kissed me, and I’ve never been happier, even though I didn’tknow what caused it or if you’d ever want to again. If it was the only kiss we ever shared, it would’ve been enough.”

His words still don’t make any sense, but maybe they don’t have to. I can choose to believe him. He’s never lied to me, so why would he start with something as major as this?

I’m torn between wanting to climb into his arms and kiss him and wanting to run away to process all this alone.

Bane smiles, tilting my head back with a finger under my chin. “Take your time, Jerr. I’ve waited twenty years. I can wait longer.”

I nod because it’s all I can manage.

“I’m gonna take a shower, and then if you still want to, we can grab breakfast before we go to Moby’s.”

I nod, mumbling, “Okay.”

“You’re welcome to stay here if you want.”

Any other day, I’d lie back in his bed and play games or scroll on my phone, waiting for him to shower and change. I wouldn’t be thinking about what he looks like naked or what it would feel like to join him in the shower. I would wait for him.

“I’ll wait. I’ll change clothes and then I’ll wait.”

“Or you can wait and then I’ll go back to your room with you while you change.”

“That works too.”

Bane leans in, and my breath hitches as his lips brush my cheek. I thought he might kiss me on the lips again, but he doesn’t. As he moves back, I realize I wish he had.

“The ball is still in your court, Jerr.”

He slides out of bed, and I allow myself to look at his body as he walks to the bathroom. His body is so nice. His ass is full and toned, as are his thighs. He has a tattoo of a phoenix on his shoulder that I’ve seen a thousand times, but right now everything about him feels familiar, but new at the same time.

He disappears into the bathroom, leaving me drowning in my thoughts. Bane wants to date me. A giddy feeling rises in my chest, but I’m terrified at the same time. He’s my best friend, and a dream come true, but what if I’m not enough? What if he needs more? Then what happens?

I flop back in his bed and stare at the ceiling, completely lost in thought. I never thought this would be an option. Now that it is, I have no idea what to do, and the person I would talk it out with is a pivotal part of it.

Can I trust him to really know what he wants? Or will we ruin the best thing that’s ever happened to me? Is there a safer way to find out than just jumping in the deep end?

SIXTEEN

BANE

Walkingdown the sidewalk to the coffee shop with Jerryn feels the same as it does most days. Almost. There’s a new current between us, an intriguing tension waiting to burst open. I know him well enough to know exactly what he’s thinking. He’s playing out every possible way his mind can come up with that this could go between us, but he doesn’t know I’ve already done that. Years ago. I have to remember there’s nothing that can go wrong because me and Jerr will always work through any challenge.

A jogger moves past us, slightly bumping into Jerr and apologizing with a friendly wave as they continue on, but the interaction pushed my best friend right into my arms. He laughs, balancing himself with his hands on my shoulders, then his smile fades as he searches my eyes.

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