Page 14 of Back to You

“He said okay, but it just seemed like he wasn’t that enthusiastic about it?”

“He probably doesn’t want to get his hopes up,” Lake said, taking another bite of his sandwich.

Ethan stopped and stared at Lake. That probably was the case, wasn’t it?

“Oh God,” Ethan said, dropping his face into his hands. “I’m screwing everything up, aren’t I?”

“Yeah,” Lake said through another bite of his sandwich.

“You could at least pretend not to agree with me.”

Lake swallowed his food. “Why would I do that? You know what you’re doing is wrong, yet you’re doing it anyway. I don’t agree with that, but I understand why you feel the need to do it. As long as you know this can’t last.”

“I know, and it won’t. I’ll get the promotion soon, and things will go back to normal.”

Lake eyed him doubtfully, but didn’t respond.

***

Brandon slouched on the couch under the tiny furnace known as Barnabus. There was no point in moving. He was prepared to die here on this couch, serving as a cushion for his very spoiled cat.

Drama, thy name was Brandon.

He paused the rewatch of a soap opera-like show about regency England (What? Judge not his watchlist lest yours be judged.) because he flat out wasn’t paying attention. He was cautiously excited about tomorrow, getting to spend a whole day doing nothing with his boyfriend.

Doing nothing was something they’d started back when they were first dating. The first time they spent the night together, they’d wasted the entire next day simply basking in each other. In the years since, doing nothing had generally meant a little less time in bed (although there was still plenty of that) and more time doing simple things like cooking, playing games together, or watching movies or TV shows they’d heard were good.

He’d already gone to the grocery store and stocked up on food. He’d perused their streaming apps for possible viewing options. He’d stripped and remade the bed with clean sheets, and made sure they had plenty of lube.

Never let it be said that he wasn’t prepared for the important things.

How long had it been since they’d had sex? He thought back … and back, and back. Wow. It seemed like a couple of months. That couldn’t be right. It felt right, though.

Brandon slumped a bit farther on the couch, hoping to lay down without disturbing His Majesty, King Barnabus.

He missed sex. It wasn’t just the physical act or the release, it was the intimacy, the closeness he felt with Ethan. He’d never felt anything like sex with Ethan before. It made all of his past encounters and relationships feel almost boring in comparison.

Their first time had felt almost like coming home. Like he was finally in the right place at the right time. It had been terrifying, so soon into them dating. But Ethan, beautiful, steady Ethan, had looked at him with those big hazel eyes and Brandon knew that he was where he was meant to be.

And that had been that. Three years later, he still found home in Ethan’s eyes.

But it was hard to feel at home when those eyes were always turned elsewhere.

Brandon gave up on maudlin thoughts for the night and stood, taking the annoyed cat with him. He’d had enough of himself today. Time for a shower and some sleep.

CHAPTER 4

ETHAN WOKE THAT Sunday morning and just smiled. It felt like it had been years since he’d woken up to his beautiful boyfriend and an entire day just to relax with him. He turned over to watch Brandon sleep, like the creeper he was.

It was rare for Brandon to sleep late. He woke up so early to get to the cafe and get the baking done. Even in sleep, he still had a grumpy look on his face. Only Brandon could be visibly pissed off at sleep.

He’d never stopped thanking whatever deities had sent him into Brandon’s cafe that day three years ago. Despite being one of the most embarrassing days of his life, it had also been one of the best.

“Stop staring at me, creeper,” Brandon muttered without opening his eyes.

“Stop being so gorgeous and I won’t have to stare.”

Brandon smirked and opened his eyes. “Sap.”

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