Page 55 of Candy Hearts
“Of course.”
That was what they did, despite the fact that it substantially increased the likelihood they’d get caught.
As the thin, blueish light transformed into faint pinks and peachy oranges and golden yellows, Benji turned over and kissed William’s cheek.
“I don’t know what this is between us. It kind of started as a joke, or an excuse, maybe. Like I wanted to sleep with you, so boom, we’ll be valentines and that gives me a legit reason to put my hands in your pants. It doesn’t feel like a joke or an excuse anymore, William.”
“Go on a date with me.”
“What?” Benji blinked a few times, his eyes stormy blue. “Really?”
“Yes. I’m sorry I let you think that this was simply practice for me as I get back out in the dating world, but it’s more than that now. I don’t want topracticewith you. I want to go on a date with you.”
“What if it’s a horrible date? I could add to your bad-date batting average.”
“Then we decide if we want to go on another one, you goober.”
Benji smiled shyly, and William was once again amazed by this man who could be shy about going on a date but posted pictures of himself in lingerie and wore neon-orange ponchos and danced with no reservation.
“I’ll think about it,” Benji said. Before William’s brain could catch up to the pseudo-rejection, Benji changed the subject. “What’s the plan for today?”
William’s own barriers started coming back up, creaking into place. “I need to get some work done.”
“Ah. Okay.” Benji pressed a short kiss to William’s lips. “I’ll let you get to it.”
Benji rolled off the air mattress and was out of William’s hands before William could grab him back.
“I didn’t mean right this instant.”
Benji shot him a wide grin. It felt fake. “I need to pee. And need coffee. You better have coffee.”
Then he was gone, slipping through the door to the sunroom and leaving William barely treading water in his wake.
The rest of the morning dripped slowly by as everyone took turns showering. Perry got the craft box back out, and Benji seemed totally immersed in it. He was wearing the red silk robe Sasha had gotten him over a T-shirt and workout leggings. The robe kept slipping off his shoulder as he glued those candy hearts inside a card. William wanted to get a closer look but wasn’t brave enough.
Sasha sidled up to William as he ate a cupcake for breakfast. She knocked their shoulders together and poured him a mimosa.
“I love you. You know that, don’t you?” she said.
“I do. I love you too.”
Last night, after Benji had “gone to bed,” William had hashed everything out with Sasha, Avi, Robin, and Wren. He realized he wasn’t the only one who’d been all up in his feelings. Avi and Manuel were thinking of adopting a baby. Robin was stressed about expanding into the lube market. Sasha had recently had a breakdown about her impending nuptials. And Wren, well, she was clearly enamored with a married couple and didn’t know what that meant for her. They’d all agreed that a house party once a year wasn’t an adequate amount of friendship time, not when they lived in the same city.
“I want you to be happy,” Sasha said. “Wren and I were talking about your dating dilemma. I have thoughts.”
“Of course you do,” he grumbled, but inside, he was pleased she wanted to talk to him, period. If only he could say, “I’m falling for your brother. How’s that for a dilemma?”
“You need to think outside the box,” Sasha said.
“In what way?”
“All the ways. What activities you do for dates, where you find dates, the type of person you go on dates with.”
“Sounds simple,” he said wryly, and she laughed.
“I think it is. I think you know it is too.” With thatmysteriousstatement, she left him in the kitchen to sit with her brother. Benji wordlessly handed her some candy hearts, and she popped them into her mouth.
By eleven, Benji was several mimosas in, and didn’t seem to care that everyone could see him throwing William bedroom eyes. Hell, William didn’t care either. He loved it.
