Page 37 of Seeking Two Lovers

Wyatt barked out a laugh. “No…not like that. I had to let him go. Calling in hungover earlier in the week and not showing up the rest…” He shrugged.

“Shit. I’m sorry to hear that.”

“His loss.”

And my gain, I thought as we set to work. Davidson had been a decent enough guy, but Wyatt was one hell of a hard worker, his easygoing nature allowing me comfort enough that my self-awareness didn’t get swamped with insecurity.

We labored alongside one another without difficulty, getting shit done long before I had expected to. Having finished two hours early, I headed to the cafe on the other side of town.

Lily had already left for the day, a co-worker of hers told me.

Probably for the best since my stopping by might be seen as a bit much since we had dinner plans.

I got home with a blueberry muffin and coffee in my stomach, butterflies rippling around enough that nausea grew.

After a long shower and impatient as fuck, I texted, asking if she wanted to meet for an earlier dinner.

Prince Pizza at five? I shot off, my face aching from smiling so damn much.

Coffee girl: Can’t wait!

A text came through from Grey before I set my cell down. The caterer for tonight’s party is showing up at the house in a half hour. Any chance you can get home early to let them in? I’m fucking stuck in the meeting with Joseph I. Devonshire III and can’t escape.

Already home, I texted back. Early day.

Grey: I owe you one.

He didn’t owe me a goddamn thing, but I’d never tell him that. Just leave me to my peace and quiet tonight, I texted.

Grey: Sure you don’t want to join us?

Me: No fucking way.

Seeing as how I had the entire second floor of his house to myself, the party would go on unaware of the recluse upstairs.

But I wouldn’t be there like I normally would have, and Grey would honor my boundaries by not even coming upstairs to look for me after I snuck out.

Me: I’ll help clean up in the morning.

Grey: You’re the best. Enjoy whatever it is you’re going to be doing while I’m getting drunk and having a blast.

If only he knew my plans. My insides tightened a bit over the fact I kept something from my best friend, but I wasn’t yet ready to share Lily. For once, I’d taken a step out on my own without him, and I loved the feeling of independence.

Until I walked toward Prince Pizza, my stomach in knots.

I missed my damn buffer, the one who set me at ease, the hand I could hold in my head while taking steps forward in life.

Lily had seemed excited for our date. We’d had a good lunch together…what if I made a fool of myself and who I was turned her off? There was no way in fuck I could pretend to be something I wasn’t.

“Blaine!” she called from behind me, and I stopped, turning.

Lily rushed up the boardwalk, hair fluttering from the ocean’s breeze. Pink flushed her face, her easy smile relaxing my insides. “Hey!” She beamed up at me, lips parted, chest rising quickly with each inhale. “I thought I was late.”

“I wouldn’t have minded waiting.” In that second, caught by her beauty, I would have twiddled my thumbs forever. “You look really nice.”

She popped out a hip, pulling my gaze over her summer dress the color of sunshine. “Thanks. You clean up pretty good yourself.”

“Oh.” Heat rushed to my face. “Yeah…I didn’t come straight from work.”

---