Page 29 of Finding You

Dallas’s stomach cramped. “Yeah. That would be part of it. My ex is…” Unkind words danced on his tongue, but he was trying to practice not using them so he didn’t slip up in front of Audra. He needed to create the habit now. “Complicated.”

Kylen snorted. “I know the feeling. I mean, Dani’s great, but I have a lot of complicated people in my life. It’s a good word.”

Dallas’s nerves settled a little as he twisted in his seat to better face the other man. “You doing okay?”

Kylen shrugged. “Would it be okay if we didn’t talk about it right now? I’m kind of enjoying the mental space.”

“Anything you want,” Dallas said. He saw the way Kylen’s cheeks pinked, and he wondered if that was because of him. Dallas wasn’t used to getting things right with other men. “Did you get a coffee?”

Kylen shook his head. “No, but I owe you one. What would you like?”

“A rain check. I think if I have any caffeine right now, I’m going to burst out of my skin.”

“That bad, huh?”

Dallas grimaced. “Worse. Sorry we’re both having shitty days. It’s kind of why I’m glad we did this. I could?—”

“Actually, about that—” They both froze, and Kylen laughed. “You go ahead, hon.”

Dallas hesitated, then shrugged. “I don’t want to sound like a dick or anything, but I’m kind of glad I get to play this boyfriend part with you.”

Kylen’s eyes widened a fraction. “You are?”

Dallas nodded. “I’m about to get into a very ugly custody battle with my ex, and I…well. There’s some personal stuff I’m dealing with too. So being able to play pretend in a supporting, loving relationship is giving me a kind of reprieve I didn’t expect. It’s weird to say thanks for that, but…thanks.”

Kylen swallowed heavily. Something flashed in his eyes, but before Dallas could begin to guess what it was, it was gone. His lips softened into a very soft, and frankly very beautiful, smile. Dallas wondered for a single moment if he’d be allowed to kiss him during all this.

He wondered what it would feel like.

In his dreams, it was sort of abstract and far too soft. Would it be rough? Chapped lips and beard scruff? Was Kylen domineering, or was he tender?

Dallas shook his head and took a breath. “Sorry. Am I being too much?”

“You’re not too much, and anyone who ever made you feel that way deserves a junk punch,” Kylen said firmly.

Dallas’s cheeks heated, and he ducked his head. “That’s violent but sweet.”

Kylen laughed. “I kind of like that compliment.”

“Good. It’s all yours. Now, you were going to say something?”

Kylen blinked like he was surprised. “Oh. Uh…no, it wasn’t anything important. Just that we should, you know, get our story straight. My sister’s really good at finding holes. Aaaand I did not mean for that to sound so dirty.”

Dallas hid his laugh in his hand. “I forgive you. I hang out with a bunch of guys all week long, so I’m used to it.”

“Yeah. Your friend Frey invited me to join the Single Dad Club,” Kylen told him.

Dallas wasn’t entirely sure how he felt about that. It made sense, obviously. Kylen was a single dad, and he was funny and kind. He’d fit perfectly. But what if this went all wrong? “What did you say?”

“I didn’t commit just yet,” Kylen admitted. “I think we should handle all this first before we add one more thing to my to-do list.”

Dallas relaxed and sat back. “Okay. So.” He leaned on his elbow and offered Kylen a smile he hoped was friendly. “How did we meet?”

“No.” Adele crossed his arms and shook his head. “You cannot say that. You cannot tell people you met reaching for the same box of pasta. That is not a thing that happens in real life.”

“It could,” Dallas defended, though he thought the story was weak, but Kylen had seemed so sure about it.

Adele scoffed, taking a sip of his iced tea before wiping his mouth and giving Dallas a pointed stare. “People don’t reach for the same things at grocery stores. If someone is standing close to what they want, they hover nearby like a goblin, staring at the jars of pickled artichoke hearts, waiting for them to move.”

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