“See you Jake Sheraton, like the hotel,” Blair joked.
Jake’s laughter, full bodied and free sounding, filled Blair’s chest with warmth and promise.
He watched as Jake walked toward the back of the bus and sat down, his gaze on Blair the whole way.Blair waved as the bus pulled away and his smile faded.He stood there, staring after the bus until it disappeared around a corner.
His phone pinged with a text message, but he ignored it.When it pinged again, he pulled his phone from his pocket and his mouth curved up at the sender’s name.
Jake:Thank you for everything today.For giving me hope.
Jake:I’m looking forward to getting to know you more.Is tomorrow too soon?
Blair’s heart fluttered, doing a little happy dance, as he typed his reply.
Blair:Anytime.I’m glad I was there for you.And tomorrow is perfect.
He pocketed his phone and headed up the street with a skip in his step, to catch his own ride home.
“Tomorrow is perfect,” he said aloud.
Five months later
JAKE PUSHED THE front door of Bliss Beans open and entered with a bounce in his step.The jingling of the bell overhead drew Blair’s attention.A smile stretched across his face that never failed to send a flush of warmth through Jake’s chest.
“Hey, babe,” Blair said as he crossed the floor and pulled him in for a kiss.
Blair leaned back, an expectant expression on his face, but Jake only grinned as he took in the coffee shop, which was closed for a private event tonight.Blair and Traci had already moved the back tables against the wall and formed a circle with the chairs.
He and Blair had started their own HIV and AIDS support group a couple of months after they’d started officially dating—the day after Jake had first met Blair—holding it at Bliss Beans.Trent’s group only met once a month on the last Thursday, and unable to find more frequent support in their area, Jake talked Blair into forming an additional group that met the second Tuesday every month.So far, it had been well received and attended.Jake was certain a good part of that had to do with the snacks and drinks Blair made specially for those nights.Speaking of which, Blair had arranged an array of healthy treats on one of the larger tables.Jake’s stomach rumbled.He hadn’t eaten since an early lunch.His nerves had been strung too tight to keep anything down.
“Is there anything left for me to do?”Jake slipped out of his jacket, snatching a smoked salmon cucumber bite on his way to the back room to hang his coat up.
“Hey!Those are for the members.”Blair huffed at Jake’s chuckle, following on Jake’s heels.“What did the doctor say?”
“Mmm.This is amazing,” Jake said around the fresh and smokey appetizer, hoping Blair made extra.
He hooked his jacket on the back of the office door and spun around.He reached for Blair, pulling him into his arms.
“Well?”
“Priorities, Bliss,” Jake said before leaning in and claiming Blair’s mouth.
It had been hours since he’d last felt Blair’s silken lips against his own, and he wasn’t about to let another second pass him by.That and Blair was fun to tease.
Blair snaked a hand behind Jake’s neck, sliding his fingers into Jake’s hair and sending a rush of desire through his veins.How could it be that every time he touched Blair was like the first time?That giddy feeling when the butterflies in his stomach took flight and promised something magical ahead.And that promise had never failed to deliver.
Jake leaned back, reining himself in.“If we don’t stop now, we’ll be late for our own meeting.”
“You started it,” Blair said with a playful note in his soft voice.“And I’m waiting for an answer.”
Jake grinned at the impatience in those beautiful brown eyes.Blair’s hair was due for a trim, but Jake liked the extra bit of length.Liked how the brunet strands curled at the end and wrapped around Jake’s fingers and framed Blair’s youthful face.God, he was gorgeous.Jake didn’t know what forces had been at work to put Blair in his path, but he sent a silentthank youout into the universe.For the gazillionth time.
“I love you,” Jake whispered, twirling a curl around his index finger.
“I know.”
“Cheeky.”
Blair snorted.“I love you, too.Nowplease, tell me.”
