Page 70 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

“How so?” Joey asks, watching me curiously.

“Just…people,” I say with a shrug. “We have so many systems running at the same time under the surface. There’s a lot we’re feeling and thinking and going through, but when you look at a stranger moving throughout their day, you don’t see that. You’re not thinking abouttheirlife. You’re thinking about them in relation to you. It’s good, I think, to remember we’re all real under the surface. And the way we treat each other matters.”

Joey holds my gaze for the longest moment, never breaking stride. “Shit, bub,” he finally says, shaking his head slightly. “You’re pretty remarkable, you know that?”

“You really think so?” I ask, feeling warm and…fuck, I don’t even know. Like I could run another ten miles easily if I have Joey there to encourage me.

“Yeah, I really do,” he answers. “Now what do you think—should we run a bit longer or move on?”

“I’m all warmed up,” I tell him, shutting off my machine as he does the same. “What do you want to do today? Legs? Arms? Core work—ohmy good freaking God.”

“All right?” he asks.

I cough. “Yah. Good. You’re just, uh, bent right over there, huh?”

“Legs are a little tight.”

“Sure, sure,” I say, swallowing, my eyes taking in the curve of Joey’s ass. His hands are reaching toward the ground, the tips of his fingers touching his toes. His ass is… “Cinnamon buns, you know? They’re pretty good. Round and…tasty.”

Joey shoots me a look before hugging his calves, digging into the stretch, his head practically between his legs.Iwant to be between his legs.

“So, uh, what are you doing after this?” I ask, wondering if I sound as desperate as I feel and praying the suggestive “me?” I heard was only inside my head.

Joey stands upright and shakes out his limbs. “I’d like to get a little work done at my house this afternoon. Do you… I mean, would you want to come over? I don’t know that it’d be all that interesting, but—”

“Yes,” I say excitedly. “Yeah. Yep. Count me in. Do I get to play with your hardwood?”

There’s a long beat of silence before Joey’s lips twitch. “You’re talking about my floors, aren’t you?”

“What else would I be—Oh.”

“Oh,” Joey repeats, grinning. He steps in close, fingertips pressing lightly to my stomach, his breath passing near my ear as my own hitches. “Either way, bub, the answer will be yes.”

With that, he walks away, leaving me gaping at the wall of windows.

“Joey!” I hiss, spinning after him, nearly stumbling when I catch sight of the strong lines of his lower back glistening with the smallest hint of sweat. I swallow down my spit and catch up to him. “You… You can’t just say stuff like that while I’m wearing gym shorts.”

“No?” he asks mildly, looking rather pleased with himself.

“No way, dude. That’s, like, Boner Bro Code 101. Everyone knows nylon is off limits. What…what are you doing?”

“Leg press.”

“Inthose?” I squeak.

Joey gives me a smile I’m pretty sure is part wickedness as he settles onto the machine, his legs up near his chest, thosetiny shorts leaving absolutely nothing to the imagination.That’s definitely some cheek.

“Are you wearing a jock?” I breathe reverently.

Joey smirks, andyep. It’s official. I’ve left the mortal plane. It’s the only explanation for why I feel suddenly weightless, the only sound in my ears the whoosh of air and clouds around me.

“At least you’re in my Heaven,” I mumble.

“What?” Joey asks around a laugh, starting his reps.

“Just that I’m fairly certain you’re a literal angel, and I’ve never been between a guy’s thighs before, but I’m a little jealous of that empty space between yours.”

The machine clunks loudly as Joey comes to a halt, his whole body going still. “Shit, bub.”

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