Page 115 of Man Advantage

It wasn’t just bliss because Trev had made me come hard enough to see stars, either. We were here. Together. We’d found a way to make things work, and by some miracle, I was in the arms of the man I’d loved for most of my life.

Except itwasn’ta miracle or divine intervention. It was Trev refusing to give up and figuring out a way to make sure the financial side of things didn’t muddy the romantic side.

It was Trev wanting this enough to fight for us. It was him loving me the way I’d always loved him.

“The truth is that I’ve loved you since we were kids who didn’t know who we were.”

God, it was like he’d said out loud what I hadn’t been able to put into words. Because I had loved him since then, and by some miracle… he had too.

And it wasn’t just words or lip service. Not when he was offering to put things into motion to make sure I was more secure than I’d thought possible.

I carded my fingers through his hair as I gazed into his beautiful eyes. “What you said about a bank account—were you serious about that?”

Trev nodded. “Completely.”

Apparently taking my silence for disbelief—which it kind of was, because holy shit—he rolled over and leaned down to pick up something off the floor. When he came back, he had his phone in his hand, which he must’ve dug out of his pants pocket. Without a word, he tapped the screen a few times, then showed it to me.

There was an open banking app on the screen, which showed a newly created account. The only activity so far was a deposit made a few days ago.

A deposit of $100,000.

It took a second to process everything he was showing me. When I did, I shook myself and met his gaze. “That’s an insane amount of money, Trev.”

“It’s enough that you won’t have to worry about anything for a while.” He signed out of the app and put the phone on the nightstand. Then he turned onto his side and rested his hand on my waist. “It’s in my name right now, but they told me it won’t take more than a ten-minute visit to the branch to transfer it to you. Completely.”

I stared at him. The bank balance again. Then him. “You… already set this up? Even before you knew we’d…” I gestured at us.

Cheeks coloring a little, he said, “I wanted you to know I was serious. Because I am.”

“What if…” I hesitated. “What if I’d said no?”

He half-shrugged. “I still would’ve kept the money aside for you. In case you wanted to leave the job and needed something to help you get on your feet.”

I blinked. “I… You… You were going to let me take a hundred grand as severance?”

Trev pursed his lips, then shrugged again. “I guess you could call it that?” He trailed his fingers down my cheek. “I saw it moreas making sure my friend didn’t end up out on his ass. Even if we’re not together, I still care about you. I always have.”

I had to work to swallow. “You really are more than I deserve.”

“No, I’m not.” He leaned in for a soft kiss. “I love you, Cam. I always have. I want you to be happy and secure, and that doesn’t hinge on you being with me.”

“I kind of do want to be with you, though.”

His eyebrow flicked up, as did one corner of his mouth. “Kind of?”

“Well. You know.” I half-shrugged as I fought a grin. “I could be persuaded. Maybe.”

He tsked and rolled his eyes. “Shut up.”

I laughed, which he cut off with a long, perfect kiss. I held him close as the moment lingered, and his words continued to echo in my mind. I really didn’t deserve him. He’d always been an amazing friend, even during our young and stupid days, and now—somehow—I had the best version of him as more than a friend. Where my ex had loved to keep me destabilized as much as possible so he’d always have the upper hand, Trev was willing to do whatever it took to make sure the ground was solid beneath my feet. And none of that was contingent on me being his boyfriend.

As if anyone on this planet existed who I could possibly want as a partner more than I wanted Trev.

I broke the kiss and touched my forehead to his. “I love you, Trev.”

He ran his fingers through my hair. “I love you, too.”

I kissed him lightly. Then I drew back a little to meet his gaze. “Thank you, by the way. You don’t have to give me money or—I mean, I appreciate it, but you don’t have to.”

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