Page 52 of Courageous Hearts

Bo grabs the door handle, but when I don’t move my weight off the wood, they give me a searching look. Without thought, I pull them in for a hug, and Bo startles before wrapping their arms around me. I squeeze them tight, and for a long moment, that’s how we stand.

“Bo,” I sigh out, wondering how one person can feel so right tucked against me, like they were made to fit. “I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you.”

Bo stills, an inhale sneaking past their lips as their body tenses. A beat passes before they speak. “You shouldn’t say stuff like that, Jamie.”

“Why not?” I ask in alarm, letting go when Bo steps back.

Their gaze is wide, almost afraid. “’Cause I might start to believe you.”

My heart fires rapid inside my chest.

“Good,” I say softly, running my fingers along Bo’s smooth jaw. Believe me.

They swallow. “We should really get back to work.”

“You’re right,” I admit, but I angle Bo for one more kiss. They sigh, soft and pliant against my lips. When I finally let go, they look dazed. “Ready?”

They nod, and I reach for the door. Bo steps out into the hall in front of me and heads for the dressing room, but they pause before going through, turning to look at me. I catch a glimpse of rosy cheeks before they’re gone.

Blowing out a breath, I turn tail, wash up in the bathroom, and get back to work. Dee gives me a questioning look when I rejoin her and Andrea behind the bar, and I apologize profusely, knowing my little foray was considerably longer than five minutes. But she doesn’t seem overly put out, and when the show starts and Bo arrives on stage, I can’t find it in me to worry.

I watch my enby, mulling over all the ways I can assure them I’m here to stay.

Chapter 16

Bo

“All right, powdercakes. Spill it,” Dee says, throwing my covers back before crossing her arms in front of her.

I grab my discarded sheet, tugging it back up with a grumble.

“Too early,” I mutter.

Dee’s not having it. She exposes me to the cool air of the apartment once more. “Is something going on between you and our new bartender?”

A little smile flits to my lips, and Dee gasps.

“Spill,” she repeats, sitting down next to me.

I tug my shirt down, making sure it’s covering my junk, before rubbing my eyes. “We’re…datin’.”

Dee deflates, expression turning from disgruntled to confused. “Oh. Not just screwing around?”

“Not just,” I confirm.

“Not that I have anything against screwing around,” Dee makes sure to add. “But I saw him chase after you last night and then come back all rumpled, and I thought something was going on in secret.”

“No, it’s not a secret.” At least, I don’t think so. Jameson never mentioned anything about not telling people. “No, definitely not,” I say with more conviction. He told his brother about me.

“Oh,” she says again, clearly taken aback, but then her face softens. “Well, good. I like Jameson. I was afraid I was going to have to kick his ass.”

I chuckle, stretching my limbs as I try to wake up fully. “Don’t think I could manage on my own?”

“I was worried he was playing you,” she says softly, the concern evident in her tone.

I smile, my memories hopping backwards over the past several days.

“He’s not usin’ me,” I say, sure of it. “He was very honest ’bout the fact that this is new to him. And truth be told, I’m the one who keeps jumpin’ him.”

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