Page 68 of Hand Picked
“Right,” I said ruefully. “Maybe I should have asked you before I did that, huh?”
“No,” he blurted quickly, and then his words began tumbling out like he’d been holding them back. “You should kiss me whenever you want. I just didn’t expect it. I didn’t know how you were feeling after Saturday, since up to then you considered yourself, you know,straight, and then you were busy last week, which I totally,totallyunderstood, but then you came and got me for breakfast out of the blue and I… I wondered…” He trailed off.
God, he was gorgeous.
I cupped his cheek, drew his face down to mine, and kissed him with all the pent-up passion of a very long week, my tongue stroking boldly and thoroughly over his. He sighed into my mouth, and I felt the last of his tension bleed away.
“Okay, let’s unpack this. I’m not straight.” I shrugged. “I don’t know how I identify, but I have three gay brothers, so being with a guy isn’t a crisis for me. Not at all. I resisted it at first because… I dunno. You think you know yourself, right? And then you find out that actually, you’re an ever-changing process. Who I was ten years ago doesn’t have to be who I am today. But I’m okay with it. Okay?”
He nodded.
“I told my family I was bringing you for breakfast with us because we’re friends… but I think theymighthave seen through that, what with the kissing and all? They’re pretty perceptive, so probably.”
And I was expecting a ration of teasing as a result, but it had been worth it to see the stunned, happy look on Luke’s face.
“And as far as doing it again, I’d really like to keep kissing you,” I continued. “And to compare those notes we discussed earlier, if you’re good with that.”
“Very good with that.” He blushed rosily, and I wasn’t sure how I’d ever failed to find his blushes sexy. It was the most obvious thing in the universe now.
“So, that’s, like, three questions answered,” I said once he’d collapsed against my shoulder again. “Look at us, uncomplicating shit left and right. What else is on your mind?”
He laughed, just like I’d expected him to. “When you and I uncomplicate things, they seem to get more complicated, but okay.” He blew out a breath. “This is gonna sound weird, but everyone is so… nice. I don’t know how to take it. I always wanted to live in a close-knit community, you know? I always wanted a… a big family. And it sucked when I thought everyone didn’t like me. But now, theydo—”
“And it’s a little much?”
“No! No, the opposite. I mean, it’s overwhelming, yeah, but it’s incredible. It’s just… how long will it last? What’s going to happen when we call off the handfasting? What if I get used to people bringing me soup, and asking how I am, and being a Hooker, and then…” He shook his head. “It was hard enough not having it when I didn’t know what I was missing.”
I rubbed my chin against the top of his head thoughtfully. “Luke, I know you think no one liked you much before the handfasting. And maybe thereweresome folks who fed off my bad feelings when Aiden went missing. If that’s so, I’m sorry for it. But… maybe people just weren’t sure how to get to know you.”
“What do you mean? I was friendly—”
“Of course you were. But Hollowans tend to show their affection by getting allllll up in your business and solving problems you didn’t know you had. If they offered you help and you didn’t take it, or asked you to join things and you didn’t feel comfortable, they probably backed off because they figured you weren’t interested. But that doesn’t mean they don’tlikeyou. They’re not just a supportive community; they’re like family. You know?”
I felt him frown, and it hit me that hedidn’tknow. He was an only child, too. He really had no frame of reference for this place.
“Okay, take me and Knox, for example. He’s my brother. I know waytoo much about him. I know all his admirable qualities—there are a lot—and I also know lovemustbe blind in order for Gage to tolerate his grouchy ass.”
Luke snorted. “Knox is sweet.”
“Sometimes. Most of the time. But sometimesnot,” I said. “The point is, no matter how much shit he gives me, no matter how tempted I am to chuck him off the face of the earth… I would burn the world to keep him safe. He’s family. He’smine. Kinda like you said about your house. It’s yours to take care of, even if it’s not perfect. The Hollow is like that. We care about each other, even when we don’t agree with or understand each other. Those idiots getting moony-eyed over youromanticallyfalling in an icy pond just want you—us—to be happy.”
“Oh.” His fingers worried the collar of my shirt. “Really?”
“Yup. Once you’re in, you’re in.” I paused. “I’m making it sound like the mafia, aren’t I? Or maybe a cult.”
He let out a soft laugh, sounding more relaxed than he had all morning.
“The good news,” I went on, “is that no one is going to stop being your friend just because we don’t complete the handfast. Promise. But it also means you should consider letting people help you once in a while. Trust people to do that for you. Otherwise, how will they feel okay letting you help them when they need it?”
“Wow. That’s…”
“Profound?” I asked smugly. “Is profound the word you’re looking for?”
“Not quite.”
“Convincing and also sexy?” I asked hopefully.
He snickered but then nipped at the side of my neck and made me groan. “No… but also yes. I’m all in on joining the Pippin Hollow Mafia.”
