Page 14 of The Lost Art of Woodworking and Taking Risks
Chamis could feel the heat rising in his cheeks again, but Bennan hadn’t let go.
“But I’m perfectly happy to wait. I’ve been waiting for a while.”
Chamis tried to pull away, but Bennan tightened his grip a little.
“No, no, that’s not a bad thing,” he said hastily. “I just want you to realize what it means. I’ll wait for you. I’mhappyto wait for you.”
Chamis frowned. “You just said you wanted to fall into bed right now.”
“I said I wouldn’t say no if that’s what you wanted, too. But since it isn’t, we wait.”
Swallowing, Chamis asked, “What if I’m not going to be ready for a while?”
Bennan shrugged like this was no big deal. “Then we wait for a while.”
“But is that, uh, enough?” Chamis asked awkwardly.
Bennan nodded, saying simply, “It’s you.”
It was like being unexpectedly knocked off his feet, like someone he hadn’t even seen coming had gotten in under his guard and floored him.
After a long moment, Chamis managed, “I’m really glad it’s you, too. This was maybe also my, uh… first kiss?”
He wasn’t sure why he’d said it like a question. It was definitely his first kiss.
He saw the surprise that made Bennan’s eyes widen, and he braced himself, just in case he’d gotten everything wrong.
What Bennan said was, “I’m flattered and honored that I got to be your first kiss, and I really hope you enjoyed it.”
Chamis felt himself relax again, even though his cheeks were still burning. “It was the best.”
Bennan’s face lit up, like he really had worried about what Chamis thought of it.
Bennan took a step closer. “And would it be terrible of me to admit that the idea that I’m the only person who’s kissed you does funny things to my insides?”
Chamis shook his head. He didn’t mind at all that Bennan had taken his lack of experience and had somehow turned it into a positive.
“I really like you,” Bennan said softly.
“I really like you, too,” Chamis whispered back, needing to confirm it even as some part of him cautioned against taking this last step.
“Thank you so much for taking a risk on me and inviting me out,” Bennan told him.
Chamis’s conscience tugged at him. “Well, you should probably thank Perian for that.”
Bennan blinked at him, his brow furrowing in confusion. “Perian? What does he have to do with this?”
“He, uh, might have waylaid me and sat me down and promised me we were both interested in one another and if I would only take a chance, it would be well worth it?”
Bennan just stared at him for a long moment, and then he laughed, face creased with mirth.
“I guess he didn’t give up after he talkedto me, huh?”
Chamis shook his head. “He was really determined. But he did leave it up to me, even though he said he would probably already have jumped you by now.”
Bennan laughed again, softer this time, and his expression was fond.
“Iwillhave to thank him.” His eyes were warm. “I didn’t want to risk driving you further away.”
