Page 14 of The Grumpy Vet
"Just because someone is well liked doesn't mean they're getting the support they themselves might not even be aware they need."
"Hmm." Ryde tucks his legs under his body. "I never thought of it that way before."
"Which means…"
His eyes narrow. "I know that look, and I know that tone. I'm scared. What are you up to, Dario?"
"No need to be scared. You're simply witnessing the formulation of one of my world-famous excellent plans."
"Okay, now I'm petrified."
I chuckle. "Shut up. What I'm thinking is this could be an opening."
He tilts his head slightly. "What are you talking about?"
"Linus may be strong and capable and all that, but everyone needs someone to lean on every once in a while."
"That's true."
"You could be that somebody for him. We're going to be training in his gym, so why not, I don't know, bring some food over? It saves him having to cook. That then gives you time to hang out with him, and who knows, maybe eventually he'll start opening up to you."
"Yeah… I don't know."
"What? It's a great plan."
"You're forgetting one detail. One kind of big detail."
"Which is?"
Ryde looks up at the ceiling and lets out a long sigh. I do not pay attention to the long line of his neck, imagining what it might feel like to lick my way down it to his collarbone. "I forget how to act like a normal person around him," he says.
"You were fine tonight."
"Yeah. Becauseyouwere here." He snaps his head to me, a smile forming on his lips and a glint flashing in his eyes, causing my stomach to get that sinkingI don't think I'm going to like what comes nextfeeling. "If we do this,youalways have to be there, too."
"Excuse me?"
"Don't you see? I didn't embarrass myself tonight because you were in the room."
"No. You didn't embarrass yourself tonight because you didn't drink your body weight in alcohol."
He sits up taller because it takes effort and good posture to destroy an awesome plan. "Please, Dario? Just at the beginning at least. I would have never even thought of inviting Linus over for dinner like you did. I wouldn't have gotten him to open up over dinner like you did. I…need you."
My eyes flutter to a close, and I sink into the sofa.
My head is screaming at me that this is a terrible amendment to an otherwise fantastic plan. I shouldn't do it. I shouldn't get any more involved in this situation than I already am. It's badenough having unreciprocated feelings for Ryde. I can kinda sorta handle him being with someone else when it's an idea, a concept, floating around in my mind.
But being in the room as he and Linus possibly start properly falling for each other, having front row tickets tothatshow?
Nuh-uh.
No way.
Never in a million years.
I open my eyes to see my bestie sitting on the couch, all cute and blinky and hopeful as he returns my gaze, and as always, my stupid,stupidheart melts for him.
I can't say no to him. Never have, and I don't know if I ever will.
