Page 118 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

He hums. “It doesn’t bother me.”

“What’s that?” I ask, craning my head up to see him.

“You cuddling someone,” he says, answering my question from before. “I won’t lie and say I want you pursuing anyone else while we’re…together. Men, women, whomever. But… I don’t want you to stop being yourself, bub. And I trust you. So even though I hope I can be the person to give you the comfort you need, I’m not going to ask you not to comfort others. Because then I’d be asking you to change. And I won’t ever do that.”

My heart beats swiftly, a heavy whoosh passing through my ears as Joey’s words settle over me. His eyes, although dark in the lamplight, are warm. Always so warm.

“Thank you,” I manage, knowing it’s not enough.

For someone to tell you repeatedly that they like you just as you are… That theyacceptyou, possibly even love you, for exactly who you are…

How do you say thank-you for that?

I settle my cheek back over Joey’s heart, his pulse a metronome to my thoughts. There’s a soft thrum ofwantrunning through my veins, as there is anytime Joey is near. An awareness of his body spread out beside me. Of his lips so close.Of the knowledge that with a few choice touches or words I could see his smile, hear his laugh, make him moan.

But, for now, I’m content to stay just like this. Being held by him. Holding him in return and keeping him close. I think there are lots of ways to want a person. And sure, I absolutely want Joey to cover me in so much pollen I need to take an antihistamine. But right now, for tonight, this is more than enough.

For a kid who grew up without comfort, without any real security, it’s everything.

Tonight didn’t go quite as I planned. I never got to finish reading those words burning a hole in my pants pocket. My attempt to sweep Joey off his feet ended with him, well, catching me as I fell off my own.

But that’s okay.

Life is full of stumbles, isn’t it? What matters is not giving up.

Step eight in Brad’s Guide to Finding Himself and Falling in Love:

Never give up on your dreams.

Our thirty days are nearly over. But I’m hoping desperately that this month Joey and I spent together will be the first of so many more to come. I just have to ask if he wants the same thing I do.

A lifetime of bennies.

A partnership.

Love.

And I think I know just how to do it.

Chapter 30

Joey

“You’re not going to tell me where we’re going?” I call.

“Nope,” Brad yells from downstairs, sounding exceedingly cheerful for someone who showed up the minute I arrived home from work and shoved me up the stairs like a drill sergeant with the express instructions to shower and get dressed for a night out.

The fact that he didn’t join me in said shower was odd enough. Him refusing to tell me what, precisely, this night entails? That has me more than a little curious. It could be anything with Brad.

A specialty coffee run for his espresso with whip.

Announcing my love of watersports to a stadium crowd.

Hell, going down in a shark cage for all I know.

I have no clue what to expect, but I trust Brad. So I head to my closet to grab a shirt.

The moment I throw open the door, I stop still. “Uh, bub?” I call. “What am I looking at?”

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