Page 118 of Sharing Shane

“Because I stole your wallet and hid your keys,” Shane pointed out.

“And reminded me that I love Seth and wanted to be married to him,” Wyatt finished. “Consider this me returning the favor.”

The mineral spirits were running clear, so Shane reached for the soap. “You’re going to steal my wallet and hide my keys?”

“Metaphorically speaking, yes.”

Shane focused on soaping up the brush with a care it didn’t require. “I know we’re overdue for a conversation.”

“A conversation in which you tell her you love her?”

“In which we talk about the future,” Shane said, unwilling to commit to specifics.

Wyatt’s sigh was so heavy it stirred Shane’s hair from three feet away. “I don’t want to have to use the C word.”

Shane paused to frown. “Cunt?”

“Coward.”

Shane rolled his eyes and turned on the water to rinse the brush. “This isn’t your business, you know.”

“Technically that’s true,” Wyatt conceded. “Except I love you, and you’re making yourself unnecessarily miserable over this.”

“I’m not miserable,” Shane protested. The brush was clean, so he carefully squeezed the water from it and hung it to dry. “I’m proceeding with caution.”

“Another C word,” Wyatt muttered.

Shane turned the water off and wiped his hands on his jeans. “What’s it going to take for you to let this go?”

“Admit to me that you love her.”

Shane spread his hands, then let them fall. “I love her.”

“Good.” Wyatt nodded. “Now go admit it to her.”

Shane shook his head. “I’m not ready, Wy. Not yet.”

Wyatt slipped off the stool and crossed to stand in front of Shane, the mutinous look on his face fading into understanding. He wrapped his arm around him in a hug. “Okay. I get that.”

Shane’s sigh ruffled Wyatt’s hair. “Thanks,”

“But you might want to work on it,” Wyatt continued, not unkindly. “She deserves honesty, Shane.”

“I know.” Shane buried his face in Wyatt’s neck. “I don’t remember this being so hard with us.”

“That’s because I said I love you first,” Wyatt reminded him.

“Oh, yeah,” Shane murmured, smiling at the memory.

“And I already had a partner, so there was less pressure on you.”

“I guess.” Shane took another moment to bask in his lover’s embrace, then eased back. “Thanks, Wy.”

“You’re welcome.” Wyatt pressed his lips to Shane’s in a soft, sweet kiss. “Are you done in here?”

“Yeah.”

“Good.” Wyatt kissed him again, and this time there was nothing soft or sweet about it.

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