I nod at Angelo, who rolls his eyes even as he walks over to help me with my plan.
“We’re not going to force him if he doesn’t want to be alone with you,” he immediately says once he’s close enough to whisper.
Rearing back, I scowl. “Dude, no. I’m not forcing anything. There was an energy there before. You didn’t see it, but it was epic.”
“Okay, Mr. Epic Energy. Let’s go find your boy.”
Oh, fuck.
Angelo has no idea just how right those words are. Or at least, how right I want them to be. It’s no easy task finding a boy of my own to maintain a relationship with. In fact, it’s pretty much impossible considering I don’t have one.
But maybe, just maybe, the universe was telling me to wait. Maybe I needed to be patient for Konnor to make it to me.
A few of the guys wave to us as we leave. They know I’m not the type to stay and wait out the clock. I’ve got to keep moving or I’ll crash. My energy needs constant feeding on show nights.
We reach the main area where everyone is hustling around to make sure the chairs are just right, the couches are all perfect, and the staff has their fake money ready to hand out to the guests.
I spot him the second we make it down the stairs. He’s off to the side wearing the same uniform as the rest of the crew, yet somehow he makes it look like high fashion. My eyes eat up every inch of him from the perfect bun on the top of his head holding back that long hair, to the studs in his ears and the rings on his fingers.
He’s a walking fantasy. I want to peel off each item piece by piece until I get the chance to taste him. To have him begging me to come and asking repeatedly to be filled.
The vision of him nearly sends me stumbling with need. I straighten myself before I can truly fall down, but Angelo doesn’t miss it.
“Falling head over heels already,” he jokes as he stays beside me.
I shake my head. “No jokes. I need to make a better second impression than I did a first. He’s going to run scared if he sees the real us.”
My friend stops me with a hand to my bicep. “If he doesn’t like the real you, then he’s not worthy of your time. You can’t pretend to be someone else just to have him.”
“That’s not what I meant. I want to not be the creepy guy who grabs strangers. And for you to not hum the wedding march when I introduce you. That’s it, okay? I’m not going to pretend to be someone I’m not. I can’t.”
Again.
Neither of us has to say the word for it to be understood. He’s been with me through all the terrible relationships. My friend knows I will often give up parts of myself to fit what I think the other person wants.
We agreed I wouldn’t let it happen again after the last time. It’s not worth the short time that things seem ‘good’ between me and whoever I’m dating.
Once Angelo lets me go, we close the last bit of distance between us and Konnor. He’s talking to Roscoe, another one of the dancers. When he turns our way, his mouth drops open.
“Hi, Konnor. Excited for tonight?” I ask him while standing as close as I can without crowding him.
Roscoe looks between us before turning to Angelo. “I should go, right?”
Angelo nods. “Probably for the best.”
Konnor’s face scrunches, like the entire interaction confuses him. When he looks to Angelo for an answer, my friend chuckles.
“Brett isn’t good with sharing. First thing you should know.”
“I guess that is good information. If we ever happen to be around one another while eating, I won’t dare ask for a taste.”
The words nearly make me groan. My face has to give him some hint to how sexual I took his words because he blushes and spins away as if to leave.
Reaching out, I stop him by taking his hand in mine. “Don’t leave,” I plead.
“Why?” he asks, only half turning to look back at me.
Angelo takes a step back, which gives me the space to move closer. “Because I enjoy talking to you. Because earlier I scared you, and I want to make a better impression than that. Because I like you, Konnor. And I really don’t want anyone else thinking they’ve got a chance with you. Did I give enough reasons?”
