Page 16 of Before They Were Lovers

Day didn’t talk much about his personal life, and God didn’t discuss his random hookups, as if neither wanted details. But the tension between them had been off all week. The looks they’d exchanged were darker and said a bit more than usual.

Day hesitated before he sighed and squeezed the back of his neck.

“Come on, God. I’ve got a date.”

God pfft’d, all smug and condescending.

“Just seems strange you’d rather go out with one of these brainwashed fools on this so-called holiday instead of hanging out here, eating a pizza, and watching the game?”

Day turned and frowned. “We do that all the time. I need a night out.”

“You gotta work early,” God growled. “You’re being irresponsible.”

Day rolled his eyes as God murmured something else under his breath.

He dropped his head and braced his hands on the sink.Fuck. He wanted Prescott, but he also didn’t want to leave God. He made eye contact with God when he walked out of the bathroom.

Day could’ve sworn he saw regret and want—or was that need—as a heavy silence hung in the air. He didn’t like the ache of not knowing what the hell was going through his partner’s mind or if it could possibly threaten their connection.

Yeah, Day had a date, but there was no one more important than God in his life besides his family.

But God wasn’t gay. At least Day hadn’t heard of him dating men, not even in the past.

It was as if God hadn’t had a life before he went into the academy. He’d served in the military, but it was a topic he didn’t discuss, and his childhood was completely off-limits.

God had to have been hurt in the past and had chosen to bury it deep down in an inaccessible place that no one, not even God himself, was allowed.

The doorbell sounded throughout his place—shit, Pres is early—and God abruptly leaped up from the couch and stormed across the room.

“God,” Day called out, hurrying toward the door, but he wasn’t fast enough.

God yanked the door open and scowled down at Prescott in a way that made him jerk back.

“Um, good evening. Is Leonidis here?”

“No,” God snapped and tried to slam the door.

“Hey!” Day caught the door and shoved God from blocking the entrance.

Prescott saw him and rushed into his arms.

“Hey, handsome. Damn, it’s good to see you. I missed you.”

Day returned the tight hug.

After they pulled apart, Day nodded toward God.

“Pres, this is God.”

Prescott nodded, staring wearily as God continued to scowl.

“You remember me mentioning my partner.”

“I do.” Prescott extended his hand. “I’ve only heard good things, incredible things. It’s nice to finally meet you, man.”

God took Prescott’s hand. He must’ve gripped and squeezed it unnecessarily hard because Prescott grunted when he yanked his hand away.

Prescott was ten times more striking than when Day had last seen him. He stood tall in a tailored black suit and matching wool overcoat. He was the epitome of elegance, charm, and sophistication.

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