Page 79 of Just Bromantically Invested

Do I have a problem?

Like, an actual one? One that I might need to see a highly qualified person for?

The last time I considered it, I brushed it off, like I’m tempted to do now. It’s normal to love your friend and want to spend all your time with him, especially when lines are crossed into boyfriend territory.

The sex is more addictive than I thought, but so is the closeness. I crave it. Need it.

I can’t get that kind of thing from anyone other than him,but at what point does it cross the line from usual relationship stuff toseek help immediately?

And this is where I need someone to talk to.

Instead of trying to do that though, I get up and go to bed.

The sound of my front door wakes me the next morning, and I shoot straight upright. I don’t have any appointments or need to work for Dryden today, so most of it will be spent doing up a new design for a client—without Madden’s input—and I had been hoping for a brief sleep-in first.

A moment later, Madden’s head pokes around my door.

I’d known it could only be him, but that doesn’t stop the smile that he immediately pulls from me. Right before the sinking feeling takes over that I’d missed him last night and he wasn’t here. Which, of course, leads me back to the dreaded question I’ve been avoiding.

“Morning,” I croak, lifting the covers for him to crawl into bed too, but he just sits on the edge of the mattress and leans in to give me a kiss. I let the covers drop, trying not to be disappointed but knowing he has to get to work. Instead of the alternate reality where we’re holed up here together, planning out a killer design for our business.

When he pulls back, my gaze dips. “What are you wearing?”

He plucks at the black tank top. “I know, I know. No clothes in here. I can’t stay long though.”

“No, I mean, that’s not what you normally wear to work.”

Something shutters in his eyes, but it’s gone too fast for me to catch. “Ah, yeah. Damien and I had a chat yesterday, and we came to a compromise. As long as I’m in some sort of clothing, I can wear whatever’s comfortable.”

I pull myself up so I’m sitting. “That’s really cool of him.”

Madden smiles and tucks a chunk of hair behind his ear. “He’s a cool guy. I’d rather clothes weren’t necessary, and thewhole thing annoys me, but I also get it.” He waves the idea off. “I need to stop focusing on it so much.”

“But focusing and caring are what you do best.”

His whole face lights up, and he kisses me again. “You’rethe best. Really.”

“We’re not playing this game again.”

I don’t know what he sees when he looks at me, but it’s probably the same thing I see when I look at him. Whenever Madden’s around, the whole world feels easier, and as we talk, it makes me wonder what the fuck I was so worried about last night.

“I’m glad you stopped in,” I say truthfully. “Kinda, uh, missed you last night.”

“Me too. But Monopoly Mondays are sacred.”

Of course they are. “Maybe we can do takeout Tuesdays, and those can be sacred for us?”

He’s about to say something when he changes course. “Every Tuesday? Guaranteed to have you all to myself? Score!”

“You’re so weird.” But fucking hell, I like that he’s excited. I wish he was excited for every night, but I’ll take Tuesdays. Tuesdays are great. Plus, it’s not like it means we won’t see each other any other night.

“There’s something I wanted to ask you,” he says quickly, like he’s trying to get it all out there.

“Okay …”

“When Damien and I were talking yesterday, he said a lot about his ex-husband and how they changed during their marriage. It made me think of us.”

“We’re not married.”

---