Page 17 of Jacob

“I promise I won’t tell him,” Tony said.

Taylor poured himself a cup of coffee and closed his eyes as he inhaled its scent.“You know he wouldn’t care, though, right?He’s my best friend.I could tell you I love you in front of him, and he’d laugh.”

“Because he knows you wouldn’t do anything that would compromise our bond.”

Taylor nodded.“Correct.He knows that the only thing I want for him is happiness, and since you’re his mate, that happiness will come through you.”

“Way to put pressure on me, Taylor,” Tony said with a grimace.

“No pressure.It’s natural.You won’t even have to try to make him happy.”

Tony wasn’t too sure about that.Relationships were work, even between mates.He never wanted his mate to feel neglected or like he didn’t matter.It was one of the reasons he hadn’t had many relationships.It would’ve been hard to treat the people he was with the way they should be while he was in the military.It had been easier not to have anyone, and it was one of the reasons he’d taken his new job.He wanted more for himself.He’d dedicated many years to his professional life.It was time for him to focus on his personal life.

“Where’s Jacob?”he asked Taylor, hoping that he didn’t sound nervous.

Taylor gave him a big smile.“He left the house right behind me.He should be here any second.”

“Good.”

“That eager to get to work?Or is there something else you’re eager about?”

“This is a work meeting, Taylor.”

“With your mate.You’re going to spend hours all alone in the forest.Who knows what will happen?”

“Whatever will happen is none of your business,” another voice said.

Tony sucked in a breath.Jacob had arrived.

Taylor leaned closer to Tony and bumped her shoulders together.“Seriously, though.Jacob is a good guy, and so are you.You can find happiness together, and there’s no need to be nervous.Everything will go well.”

Tony hoped he was right.

Jacob stepped into the break room, probably having followed the sound of their voices.He wore jeans and a t-shirt, and he looked relaxed.His hair flopped in front of his forehead, and his brown eyes were warm as he smiled at Tony.

Tony had been thinking about that smile and the mustache above it for two days, and it took all he had not to move closer and kiss Jacob as if it was something they normally did.It wasn’t, not yet, anyway.

“Good morning,” Jacob said.

Tony couldn’t help but smile back.“Good morning.”

They stared at each other for a moment.Tony suspected that they would’ve stood there most of the morning if Taylor hadn’t jerked them out of it by putting both of his hands under his chin and staring at them with wide eyes as he cooed.He was ridiculous, and Tony glared at him, but Taylor didn’t seem to care.

“You two are adorable,” he said.

“We’re grown men.We’re not adorable,” Jacob grumbled.

Tony begged to differ because Jacob definitely was.

* * * *

JACOB WAS NERVOUS ENOUGHas it was, and he didn’t need Taylor to make it worse.Hedefinitelydidn’t need Taylor to call him, and Tony was adorable.They were grown men, for fuck’s sake.They weren’t adorable.They were handsome and hot, especially in the uniform Tony was wearing.

“Jacob,” Tony said with a warm smile.“It’s good to see you again.”

Jacob found himself smiling back without thinking about it.“It is.I just wish it were under other circumstances.”

“It could be if the two of you went on a date,” Taylor interjected.

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