Page 44 of Perfect Matcha
They both froze, their mouths a breath apart.
“Oh.” Camden jerked back, and his eyes widened.
It was a very different kiss than the ones they’d shared before. Way different than the times their mouths had fused because of desperation and passion. They weren’t naked, and there wasn’t role play happening or sex or … fuck. A flood of emotions swamped Theo—confusion, shock, fear … excitement. He didn’t know what to do with any of it.
“Oh,” Camden said again. He took a step backwards and collided with a wall. He dropped his phone.
That wasn’t good. Camden was smooth. He didn’t get frazzled easily and was always in control, but he didn’t seem to be in control now. He seemed horrified.
If Camden wasn’t in control, if Camden washorrified, then what the hell did that mean for Theo?
“You kiss all your friends,” Theo blurted. “I saw you. So it’s no big deal. You don’t need to make it a big deal.”
“What?”
“You kiss your friends when you greet them and when you say goodbye. I’ve seen you. Stop staring at me like we just committed a felony.”
“I donotkiss my friends. Not likethat. I haven’t kissed anyone in that way but you in over a year.”
Theo didn’t want to hear that. He strode by Camden to reach the kitchen. He needed a drink, and a matcha tea would have to do. Though, he’d sell his soul for tequila.
They’d kissed plenty. Theo had no idea why that peck on the mouth had turned him upside down, or why Camden was so dismayed by it.
“When do you work today?” Theo asked. He deposited the box of baked goods and the drink carrier on the counter.
“Soon. What are you doing?” Camden was still standing in the entryway, gaping. His voice was incredulous, and it poked at the insecure parts of Theo. “What isall this?”
“I bought us breakfast.”
“Why?”
That was a great question. Theo was starting to regret the choice.
He shrugged. “Why not?”
It had felt like a boyfriend kiss. And buying Camden donuts, protein bars, and a sugary drink because he deserved a bit of indulgence every once in a while was also something a boyfriend might do.Thatwas why it was freaking Theo out.
And evidently it was also scaring Camden.
Theo didn’t know what the hell any of this meant. Yes, he’d been doing sex stuff with Camden, but they’d had an agreement of sorts. The goal had been to help Theo get more comfortable. To help him gain experience so he’d be ready when Camden set him up with Hawke.
It wasn’t supposed to feel like this.
Theo found his tea and took a huge gulp.
“We need to talk,” Camden said.
Theo turned so they were facing each other, Camden by the door, Theo in the kitchen. Camden’s apartment was tiny, but there was a mile-wide gulf separating them.
“About what?”
Camden’s face crumpled, and he looked so lost. “About us. Fuck. Isn’t it obvious?”
“Isn’twhatobvious?”
Theo could feel himself shutting down. He’d always had that problem during conflict. When his parents had glowered at him from across the kitchen table, barely saying a word but making their disappointment very apparent. When Freddie had presented him with reason after reason for why their relationship had been failing.
Each time, Theo’s mind had started to power off, and he hadn’t been able to think clearly or articulate his emotions. He hadn’t been able to understand his emotions then. He couldn’t understand them now.
