Page 32 of Orlando
“You know, I just realized I don’t really know you,” Liam said.
“That’s probably because you haven’t been talking to me.”
“I’m sorry about that.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about.I already told you that I understand, and I wasn’t lying.Take all the time you need.”
“I have.”
Orlando’s heart raced.Was Liam saying what Orlando thought he was saying?He could only hope, but he was a little afraid to.
Thankfully, a knock on the door interrupted them.He jumped to his feet, eager to get started and even more eager to get Liam alone on their date.He should’ve known it wouldn’t be that easy, though.
When he swung open the door, he was met by two twin smiles.Seymour and Lewis were both grinning so hard that Orlando was tempted to tease them that they were going to get stuck that way.Instead, he made grabby hands toward the bags they were carrying.
“Thank you for doing this.I didn’t realize I’d asked you to buy so much stuff that you’d need someone to help you carry it, Seymour,” he said.
Lewis was holding a damn wicker basket.It was a bit much, but Orlando was grateful, anyway.
“I didn’t need help.Lewis insisted,” Seymour admitted.
Lewis pushed the basket into Orlando’s arms and tried to move past him, but Orlando stayed where he was.Did he want his mate to meet his friends?Of course he did.Did he want it to happen now?No, because he had plans.
“Come on.I just want to see him a little,” Lewis complained.
“You will, but not now.”
Lewis squinted.“You owe me.”
“Why?And don’t tell me it’s because I tried to sleep with your mate.I didn’t know he was your mate at the time.”
“Still, you tried.You should give me this as an apology.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for.That’s what you told me.”
“I was wrong.Come on.Just a little peek.”
“Everything okay?”Liam asked.
Orlando could hear him move around the room, which meant he needed to be quick.He snatched the bags from Seymour’s hands, fumbling with the basket and almost dropping it.Seymour laughed, but it was enough to keep Lewis out of the door, which was what Orlando wanted.
“I promise that I’ll introduce you to Liam as soon as this mess is over, okay?”
Lewis’s expression softened.“Of course.Kennedy’s working on it.Everyone is.”
“I know.”And Orlando was grateful.He hadn’t realized he had so many friends, but maybe he should have.Part of him had been afraid he’d lose them when he left the program, but Lewis, Seymour, and everyone else were still in his life.“Thank you.”
“We’ll see you soon,” Seymour promised before stepping away.
Orlando quickly closed the door.He clutched the basket to his chest with one hand while holding the bags with the other.He wasn’t surprised to see that Liam was staring at him when he turned toward his mate.
“Everything okay?”Liam repeated.
“Everything’s perfect.Do you need anything from the bedroom?I need a bit of time to set up.”
“I’ll be fine here.Do you need help?”
“I don’t.It’s a surprise, remember?”
