Page 14 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

“No,” I croak. “I’m fine.” I frantically search for a different topic as I wipe my mouth with a napkin. Anything that’s not me stuffing Brad. “Do you, uh…have any family around here?”

“Ah. No,” he says, cutting into his steak again. “Never really had family other than my grandfather, but he’s gone now. Pretty sure my parents are out there somewhere, but I never knew them, so…” He shrugs, and my chest squeezes tight.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Thanks, but Jason’s been like family to me,” he replies, which…okay. That’s a little odd, but Brad goes on before I can think too hard on it. “How about you? Family?”

“Yeah, my mom is back in New Hampshire. The rest of my family is here. Aunts, uncles, a good handful of cousins. We weren’t close growing up, but we’re making up for lost time now.”

“That’s awesome, dude. I always wanted a big family. But…eh. We don’t always get the things we want, do we?”

“I suppose not,” I agree. His answer makes me wonder, though… “If you could have any one thing, like a wish without all the potential baggage and repercussions, what would it be?”

Brad’s smile tips up, as if he likes that question. He doesn’t have to consider it for long. “A good cuddle sesh.”

His answer takes me so off guard, it’s a moment before I can say anything at all. “Really?”

“Yeah, man. It’s been a while for me, you know? I miss, just, like…touching someone. Holding.”

Fu-u-uck.

How long would it take to custom-order a ring?

“How about you?” Brad asks, cutting the last of his swordfish into two pieces. “What would you wish for?”

I guess I don’t have to think about it for long, either. “Happiness. That’s what I want.”

Brad’s lips tip up again. “I like that. You’re a good dude, Joey-roo.”

“You’re not so bad yourself.”

His grin feels like all things right in the world.

When Basil comes back around with our bill, I pull out my card. Brad’s eyebrows wing up.

“I can pay for myself,” he offers.

“I got it,” I tell him. “I invited you out, after all.”

Brad doesn’t fight me on it. He simply folds his napkin and nods. “Next one’s on me, then.”

I try to play it cool, but I’m pretty sure my smile betrays me. “Deal.”

When Basil returns with my card, he gives me a knowing smirk. We thank him before leaving. Cheeky waiter aside, I don’t think this night could have gone better.

It’s a little cooler when we emerge onto the sidewalk, but it feels nice. I look for the nearest coffee place. “Still want that espresso fix?”

Brad visibly perks. “Yeah. Let’s do it.”

The coffee shop is just a block down the street. Brad breathes in deeply once we’re inside, following it up with an audible sigh that has me chuckling.

“My favorite smell,” he admits sheepishly.

“Tell me the truth,” I tease. “Are you addicted?”

He cracks a smile that has me feeling warm. “Yeah, man. Bean stew. I can’t go without it.”

“Bean…stew?” I ask, mildly horrified.

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