Page 8 of The Waiting Game

Felix sighed. “Yeah, I’ll come.”

CHAPTER TWO

Jonah climbed down the ladder, waiting patiently while Felix unplugged the strands of string lights, plunging the shed into darkness except for the single bulb by the door.

“Hey, catch my coat?” Felix asked, leaning over the railing of the little loft.

“Sure.”

The suit jacket sailed through the air and Jonah caught it, draping it carefully over his arm.

The fabric was still warm from Felix’s body heat.

Jonah looked away as Felix climbed down, his muscles straining the fabric of his suit trousers. It was tempting to let his gaze linger, but … but Felix didn’t know.

He didn’t know how long Jonah had wanted him.

How many years he’d been in love with him.

And it was fine. Despite their perpetual joking around, nothing was ever going to happen between them.

Jonah knew that.

But Felix didn’t know that every whatshisname Jonah dated was held up against him and found wanting.

That he’d fallen into starry-eyed adoration for Felix Hale at the age of five, and two and a half decades later, nothing had changed.

At this point, all Jonah could do was roll his eyes at himself.

“You ready, man?” Felix asked, taking the jacket from him.

“Yep, let’s do this.”

They’d barely stepped out of the shed before the lights flicked on above the spacious flagstone patio.

“Fuck,” Jonah whispered. “We’ve been caught.”

“Jo-nah!” His grandmother’s voice floated out to him through the mild April night air and a moment later she appeared in the doorway.

Short. A little stocky. And terrifying enough to bring entire teams of hockey players to their knees.

Yun Ji-min was the scourge of the Pee Wee league.

Jonah closed his eyes and prayed for strength.

Felix cackled quietly then strode forward, raising his voice. “Grandma Ji-min!”

“Felix!” Her face lit up and she made a beeline for him.

He met her halfway, wrapping her in a big hug and kissing her cheek. “I’ve missed you.”

She reached up and grasped Felix’s chin, turning his head this way and that to study his face. “You need to come for dinner. You neglected me last week. For a suit fitting!”

“Yes, Grandma Ji-min.” She was the only person who had ever made Felix Hale sound contrite. “I’m sorry.”

She beamed. “Such a good boy.”

He laughed roughly. “I don’t know about that.”

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