Page 47 of Phantom Faceoff
It’s slow going, the offer running through his brain, but when it clicks … There isn’t a sun brighter than his smile.
“You’re on, Blanchard.”
He hops up, and before I can react, he brushes his lips over mine. It’s brief, gone as he folds himself over the counter to scoop up his sports bag.
As he leaves, a familiar uneasiness starts in my gut. It’s stark against the desire lying underneath. A desire that’s been dormant for years.
One that I thought had been permanently snuffed out by a man who wanted more than I could give.
Julian is coloring again while Fire Force plays on his laptop. When the door clicks closed, he looks up and smiles.
“Hi, Daddy.”
All the conflict pulling my body taut relaxes at my best friend’s greeting.
“Hey Jules.” I kiss the top of his head and give him a one-armed hug. “Finish your paper?”
He nods and points to his desk. “How was work?”
I need to breach the subject of Zander with him, but I don’t want it to come off accusatory or hurtful.
At my silence, he sets his coloring pad down and turns to face me. “Daddy?”
I meet his eyes and watch the shift in his demeanor. He unfolds his legs and scoots to the edge of the bed.
“Mal?”
I sit on my own bed, facing him. “Are you in a good head space to talk?”
“For you? Always.”
I hate having to pull him out of his happy bubble, especially given the long evening he had with his classwork.
“You and Zander. How are things going?”
Jules tilts his head and puts on a puzzled expression. “Considering you made me cancel on him?” There’s a slight pout to his lip, but he shrugs. “We’re good. Why do you ask?”
“He came by work today.”
That brings a smile to his face. “Good. He’s been wanting to see you.”
Neither of us may have told Julian what happened between us, but he’s not oblivious. He’s one of the best people I know atsniffing out tension and putting it to rest. I know the poor man has to be exhausted running point on both of us these last few weeks.
“Did you put the idea of us being together in his head? Did you tell him there could be something there?”
Jules’ smile falls, and he brings his hands to his lap, picking at the skin around his thumbs.
“He asked if I’d be bothered by the two of you hooking up. Theoretically. I told him it’d probably be good for you. Given that you haven’t shown interest in anyone since…”
“Do you think maybe there’s a reason for that, Jules?”
I hate the wet wobble his lip makes and the little wisps of tears that form in the corners of his eyes.
“You deserve to be happy, Mal. I just want you to be happy.”
“I am happy. Taking care of you. We’re in this together, aren’t we?”
He tries to smile, but it comes out sad. “We won’t always be.”
