Page 14 of Becoming Us
After a pause, he nodded again. “Okay then.” That same tight smile stayed on his face.
“Did I pass the test?” I asked before I could think better of it.
Ezra let out a surprised laugh. “Sure. We’ll call it a pass.”
“Enough awkwardness for one day?”
“Well…” He trailed off, reaching under the bar and placing something in front of me—the tip jar. “What’s the verdict, Rossi? How much is my service worth to ya?”
I laughed, nerves fraying a little. He grinned, clearly pleased with my discomfort.
This motherfucker was ballsy. I’d give him that.
Then a warm hand pressed on the small of my back, sending goosebumps racing over my skin. I didn’t need to look—I already knew who it was.
“Hey. What are you up to?” Atty’s voice was low as his eyes landed on Ezra, widening just slightly.
“I’m playing nice,” Ezra said, almost defensive.
Atty looked back at me.
“Ish,” I said, grinning at Ezra’s scoff.
My gaze dropped. He still hadn’t put his shirt back on.
He could’ve been a sculpture—muscle after muscle etched beneath golden skin, tapering down to that ridiculously sharp V leading to his groin.
Was I drooling?
“We’re between sets, actually,” Atty explained, snapping my attention—and my eyes—back to his face.
“What?”
“Between sets. Just wanted to say hi. Can’t stay long.”
His hand was still resting on me, but then, almost as an afterthought, he pulled it back and set both at his hips.
My lips twitched, ready to frown. I ordered them not to. “So, you have to go back?”
Ezra sighed beside us and walked away.
I sat up straighter. “Not that that’s not perfectly fine—Ezra was just keeping me company,” I added quickly.
Atty tilted his head, brow faintly furrowed. “Okay. Then I’ll go back. I’ll see you as soon as it’s done.”
Nope. You’re not disappointed, Noah. This is normal. Boundaries. We’re learning boundaries, remember?
“Cool. See you in a bit.”
His pale eyes searched my face, and I forced my expression to stay neutral.
He stepped closer and dropped his voice. “You could have come to say hi, you know. It’s okay if you do.”
“Is it?”
“Yeah. I’m not going to kiss you while I’m working, though. That’s unprofessional.”
I smiled. Sohim. “I get it. It’s okay.”
