Page 18 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

I shut my door on what I’m sure is Joey’s excited face and grab a pad of paper. Pen in hand, I flop onto my couch and start a list. Joey’s best attributes. Good first dates. Where to pick up guys.

My new bud isn’t going to know what hit him.

“Are you a boob or an ass man?”

Joey coughs, his hand going to his chest as I sink into the booth across from him at the diner we agreed to meet at. I was so excited last night I barely slept a wink. “Uh, hey, Brad.”

“Hey, my dude. So?”

He takes a long sip of his water before answering. “If those are my options, I guess ass.”

I make a note on my pad of paper. “Top or bottom?”

“Jesus Christ,” he mutters, cheeks flushing.

“Are you shy, man? It’s okay if you are. But the more honestly you can answer, the better chances we have of finding your guy.”

Joey looks like he doesn’t know whether to laugh or smack his head against the table. Honestly, I’m used to that reaction.

But I’m committed to this. Joey deserves the best, and, like I told him, I’m going to make sure he gets it. Which means finding out everything there is to know about my new friend, including whether he’s aplunderorbe plunderedkinda guy.

After taking a breath and looking around the fairly empty diner, Joey says, “It depends on the person I’m with.”

“How so?” I ask, intrigued.

“I’m fairly versatile,” he answers, fidgeting with the handle of his coffee mug. “But I’ve been in relationships where I’ve exclusively topped, and I’ve been in others where we didn’t do anal at all. I like making my partner feel good, so, to some extent, I’m going to be into activities that complement whatever they’re into.”

“Dude. That’s rad.”

“Is it?” he asks, an eyebrow raised.

“Yeah. Your partners sound lucky. Do you like rimming?”

Joey spits out his sip of coffee. I cringe, handing over a few napkins. Luckily, a waitress takes that moment to approach. I ask for more coffee—a pot this time—as well as my own mug. Plus some hash browns with extra ketchup. She nods and walks off.

Joey’s eyes meet mine from across the table. They’re such nice eyes. So warm and inviting. “This truly doesn’t bother you? Talking about gay sex?”

“No?” I say slowly. “People are people, man. Sex is sex. I guess I don’t see why talking about other dudes’ dicks and assholes should bother me when I have my own.Singulardick and asshole, obviously. I’m not, like, doubling up down there.Whoa, could you imagine?”

“I’m not even sure I understand what’s happening right now,” he mutters.

Our waitress returns with a pot of coffee, as well as a mug for me. “Hash browns will just be a minute,” she says.

“Thanks,” I tell her, pouring my coffee as she walks off. “Would it help if I shared, too? I’ve never been rimmed, but I love going down on girls.”

Joey stares while I sip my caffeine. Perfectly black and oh so delicious.

“Should I expand on that?” I ask, setting down my mug.

“I think I’m good,” he answers, crossing his arms on top of the table. “Yes, I like rimming. Both ways.”

I make a note. “Do you want kids?”

His lips twitch. “From rimming to kids?”

“We’re starting with the big stuff, dude.”

He shakes his head, but he’s smiling. “I think I maybe would. But only if I end up with someone who feels the same. It’s not a deal-breaker for me either way.”

---