“But that was two years ago.”
“I know.” His hand slides down, cups one of my ass cheeks, and squeezes. “I’ve been thinking about you ever since.”
The revelation makes my heart swell. All this time, I had been trying to convince myself that he saw me as a friend, and he was secretly wanting me too.
“Why didn’t you ever say anything?” I ask, rubbing the thick stubble covering his jaw.
“I don’t know. The timing was never right. There always seemed to be a reason not to. You were dating someone, or I was afraid of ruining our friendship. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you completely.”
I think about all the wasted time, all the nights I laid awake wondering what it would be like to be with him. And then talking myself out of it because he’d never commit to one woman.
I shake my head. “We’re idiots, aren’t we?”
“Seems like it. But things usually happen when the timing is right, so maybe we’re geniuses for letting things evolve organically.”
“If Travis hadn’t asked you to put up my shelves, I might not be here. Guess that makes him our matchmaker.”
“Can we please never mention that to him or anyone else?”
I laugh. “Yeah. But he might figure it out himself.”
“I doubt it. Travis ignores stuff like that.”
“When do you think we should come clean with everyone?” I ask. “Willow and Nina both know I’ve been crushing on you. Nina mentioned something about it as far back as the summer.”
“I guess this is my turn to ask how long you’ve had feelings for me.”
I grimace. “I’m not sure I want to tell you.”
“It can’t be longer than two years,” he says.
“It’s been so long it feels like forever. I can’t even remember when it started.”
He shakes his head. “I had no idea.”
“Good. I tried hard not to show it.”
“As far as telling everyone, I’m good with whatever you want to do. I know as soon as Reed finds out, I won’t have a moment’s peace. He caught me staring at you at Thanksgiving, so he knows I’m interested.”
“Let’s keep it to ourselves for now. What if we don’t work out? Everyone will know, and it’ll be even more awkward.”
“Jesus. Why are you being so negative, G? If I wasn’t serious about wanting a relationship with you, I wouldn’t have pursued one.”
“I’m sorry. I was trying to be realistic, not negative. People break up all the time, even ones with good intentions.”
“Well, that’s not happening with us. You’ll just have to wait and see that I’m right.”
I smile at his sureness. “Okay then. We should get some sleep so I can feed you in the morning.”
“Let’s sleep in.” He rolls to his back, and I lie with my head on his shoulder. His arm comes around me, holding me close, and he presses a soft kiss to my forehead. “Goodnight, G Thang.”
I snicker. “Goodnight, Jordan.”
I wake before Jordan, the quiet of the room broken by the slow, steady rhythm of his breathing. Morning light slips through the blinds, making shadowy stripes across the bed. For a while, I lie still, watching him sleep and trying to name what we are.Is he my boyfriend?
We haven’t defined it, but after last night and the best orgasm of my life, it’s hard to imagine calling him anything else.
Careful not to wake him, I slip from the bed, find my pajamas on the floor, and put them on. The floorboards are cool beneath my bare feet as I pad toward the kitchen. Maybe I can have the muffins ready before he wakes up.
