Page 49 of Galen's Redemption
Chapter Thirteen
WHEN THEdoorbell rang, Galen rushed from his room to see if it was another delivery. He’d gotten a package each day for the last six, and there were progressively more flowers filling Andy’s place. But Galen wouldn’t deny he enjoyed the attention.
He stood at the table as Andy opened the door. Marco stood there, box in hand, smiling at Andy, who sighed and stared athim. Galen had never seen him act this way with a man before. He actually giggled when the guy whispered something to him, and his fair skin grew a crimson red.
The desire to cry out for the box rode Galen hard, but he held it back. Why should he ruin Andy’s fun over some flowers? But they were juststandingthere, staring at each other. It was driving Galen mad. He wanted to shout for them tostop flirting and get on with his job.
Finally the driver said he had to go and handed the box to Andy, who clutched it to his chest, watching as the guy moved away from the door. Andy didn’t move, instead gazing longingly as the man strode down the hall. When he’d apparently lost sight of him, Andy turned and slumped against the door, heaving a weighty sigh.
“Marco is so adorable. And did yousmell his cologne? It’s Cool Water, and every time I get a whiff, I pop a boner.”
“Andy? Can I have—”
“But why hasn’t he asked me out? I mean, he’s interested, right? Why would he stand at the door for twenty minutes if he wasn’t?” Andy pushed off the door and stalked around the room. When he got closer to the table, he bit his lip and leaned in closer. “Do you think he’s interested?”
Galenreached for the box, but Andy twirled away.
“Oh my God, what if I’m making a fool of myself? What if he’s straight? Oh shit, I’m flirting with a straight guy. I mean, they’re good for sex, but—”
“Andy? Could I have—”
“Why do I think I’m falling for a straight man?”
There was no use in trying to get the box from Andy. He was having a meltdown, and Galen had to be there for a friend.
“Why can’tyou ask him out?”
His eyes wide, Andy gaped like a fish. “Askhim? Are you crazy?”
“Why not? He gave you his number, didn’t he?”
“He gave meanumber. That might just have been a work thing.”
“Seriously?”
Andy shrugged. “If he’s straight, he might beat me to a pulp. I don’t look good with bruises.”
“You have to know he’s interested in you. He stands there and looks like he wants to eat youup. Maybe he’s shy. Or maybe because he’s on the clock, he can’t be too blatant. Haven’t you noticed him hinting around about getting a coffee or something?”
Andy scowled. “A man who looks like that has nothing to be shy about. He’s stacked, Gale. He’s like a fucking Greek god. His muscles have muscles.”
Okay, so Marco was good-looking, but Galen had a feeling Andy was seeing him through rose-coloredglasses. He had a layer of baby fat that was plain to see in his pudgy cheeks. Andy’s reaction was so out of the ordinary for him.
“What’s this all about?”
Andy turned, box still in hand. “I want him to ask me out so badly. I don’t even care if we don’t have sex right away. I just want… I want to get to know him. All I’ve learned so far is he’s twenty-six, his name is Marco, and stopping hereis the highlight of his day.”
“So ask him to have a cup of coffee or something.”
Andy shook his head. “I can’t.”
This was getting nowhere. “Why?”
“Because if he’s not interested, he’s going to leave, and I won’t get to see him again.”
“I’ve never seen you this worked up over a man. What happened to the guy who could go to a bar, snap his fingers, and have a line of men out the door, waitingto talk to him? The one who wanted to go out so he could get laid?”
A sadness clung to Andy when he sat down on the couch. “I haven’t gotten laid in months.”
