Page 58 of Coming Clean

That made David crack asmile.

“I’ll be perfectly happy ifhe’ll simply go out to dinner with me. That’s enough fornow.”

“Are you sure?” Davidasked.

Was he? Yes. Yes, he was.He loved that David wanted to protect him but he wasn’t going togive up on Connor without more time. “I am. I’m sorry if you don’tunderstand.”

“Oh, I do,” Davidresponded.

Jeremy doubted that. “Areyou sure?”

“You want Connor enough totake a risk. And even though I’m worried, I’ll support you. Youknow that, right?”

David was such a goodfriend. “I wasn’t sure, but I should’ve known better.”

“Damn right you shouldhave.”

Jeremy pulled his friendinto a hug. “Thank you.”

“Always.”

****

Sundaymorning, Connor lay curled up in bed with Jeremy. He’d spent mostof the weekend at Jeremy’s house, cocooned in a fantasy world whereno one existed but them. He didn’t know how much longer the fantasycould last, but he couldn’t bring himself to think too hard aboutit. Jeremy stirred next to him. Connor wrapped an arm around himand pulled him close so he could whisper in his ear.

“You want me to make ussome pancakes?”

“Mmm. That sounds perfect,”Jeremy said.

When they’d finishedbreakfast, Connor started to clear the dishes but Jeremy laid ahand on his arm. “I want to ask you something.” The concerned lookon Jeremy’s face said that today might be the day the fantasyended.

“Yeah?”

“David wants to meetyou.”

Connor tensed. He’dwondered how he’d avoided David so long. The man was Jeremy’s bestfriend. Realistically, he knew that he couldn’t be in arelationship with Jeremy without talking to David, but he wouldhave been happy to keep things just like they were. “Technically,he’s already met me.”

“He threatened you and thenstomped out. That’s not exactly what I mean by meeting.”

Connor brushed a hand overhis own hair. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“I thought we could havedinner, and you could ask Sabrina too.”

Sabrina had been bugginghim for more info on Jeremy. He’d managed to put her off so far.“Why?”

Jeremy frowned. “Well,she’s your friend and I’ve enjoy talking to her. I think she andDavid would hit it off.”

Oh, hell no. “Are youtrying to set them up?”

“No!” Jeremy looked hurtand Connor realized his tone had been harsher than it should’vebeen. “I just thought you might feel more comfortable if Sabrinawas here.”

“Are you saying I need tohide behind her skirts because I’m afraid of your friend?” Whycouldn’t he hold in his anger. Fuck! He was screwing this up, andhe was really only angry at himself.

Jeremy sighed. “No. I’venever even seen her in a skirt.”

“She wears one on occasion,but that’s hardly the point.”

Jeremy laughed. “I know, Iwas just trying to make you smile.”