Page 13 of Colin

“No, I want to pick you up. Let’s say seven to avoid the traffic.” In Tampa, afternoon traffic was a real thing. “Give me your address.”

“Oh, uh. Do you know where Andy lives? You can pick me up there.”

“No, I don’t. But if you feel better about me picking you up there, that’s fine. Send me his address.” I couldn’t imagine why he wouldn’t let me pick him up at home. “You don’t have anything going on with Andy, do you? I was under the impression that you were just friends.”

“No, no. Nothing like that. We’re only friends for sure.”

When he didn’t offer any other explanation, I made a mental note to find out what was going on with him. In person. “Great. Text me the address, and I’ll be there at six thirty.”

“Uh, you said seven.”

“Did I?” I knew I had, but I couldn’t wait to see him. “But six thirty works, right?”

He exhaled loudly. “It does. That’s fine. Don’t come earlier though, or I won’t be there. See you tonight.” Then he clicked off.

Well, my boy had some spunk in him after all. Good to know.

Chapter five

Colin

I flopped face down onto Andy’s bed while he dug through my duffle bag. “He’ll be here in less than an hour. Kill me now.”

“Hmph. Stop it. This is good. These jeans work, but you need decent shirts, dude.” He tossed the jeans on my back. “Go get a shower. You can’t go out with him smelling like espresso.”

“Ohmygawd. You’re right.” I booked it into the shower and used Andy’s products. Shampoo and conditioner. I had a spray to help get tangles out. For the millionth time, I thought about cutting my hair. It would never dry before Rourke got here. But I could put it up in a cool bun that wouldn’t look bad as it dried. That took the longest, but by the time I finished with the hair, Andy had a decent top for me.

“I think this will work, yeah? I mean, we don’t know where he’s taking you, but I’m sure it’s not going to be burgers and fries.”Andy pointed at me as he handed over the shirt. “And do not order that, even if it’s on the menu.”

“Whatever.” I pulled the shirt on. A long-sleeved button-up, but not a standard dress shirt. It was silkier and had silver-blue threading that made it shine a little. And bring out the blue in my eyes more. Hopefully.

“Yeah. That’s nice. No, don’t tuck it in.”

I stopped mid-tuck. “What? Why?”

“It’s stylish dude. Meant to be worn untucked.”

He didn’t say it would hide my little poochy belly, but I sure thought it. I didn’t look terrible. I turned back and forth in the mirror. And the shirt was short enough that it didn’t cover my ass. That was turning into a pretty good feature for me with all the squats.

“Oh, here.” He grabbed something off the dresser and handed it to me.

“What’s this?”

“Key. To the apartment. Don’t wake everyone up when you get back.” He winked at me. “If you get back. I’m sure not waiting up.” His little evil smile said he thought I was staying out all night.

“It’s only dinner.”

“Is it?”

“Shut up.” I didn’t think I’d be sleeping with Rourke. Not on the first date. But I had to put that in myhope basket. Because I had absolutely nothing else going for me. A crappy job that wouldn’t cover rent anywhere. And a good friend. “Thanks, Andy. I mean it. For, like, everything.”

He hugged me. “Don’t mention it, Turtle-Dove.”

And then he was here, knocking on the front door. “Shit. I don’t know what to do.” I sucked my lips inside my mouth and worried them with my tongue.

“Be yourself.” He shook my shoulders and directed me to the door, where Rourke stood waiting for me.

Be myself?Yeah, right. That had never worked for me before. But I had no one else to be.

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