Page 42 of Abdominal Snowman

“I’m only answering this because it’s all about the same thing anyway. In human years I’m thirty-fiveish, I would guess? A little less or a little more.” He shrugged before taking another sip of beer.

“Wait, wait. I need to clarify one last thing, if that’s okay?” she asked, all innocence.

He nodded, brows dipped, ready to answer or clarify anything she needed.

She almost felt guilty asking, “So... it’s like dog years?” Sage raised her eyebrows at him, fighting a grin.

“I am not a dog,” he grumbled, though there was a hint of mirth in his gaze. “Okay, it’s your turn.”

“Truth,” she said without being prompted. She didn’t want to be the first volunteer to take something off by refusing to answer a question. Sage would just wait until one of them knocked the tower over by accident. Y’know, let fate decide.

Or skill.

Soren silently tossed the wooden block from hand to hand. His gaze caught hers for a moment before he quickly looked down, a faint blush working its way up his neck. “What was your longest relationship?” he mumbled before straightening and locking eyes with Sage.

Sage knew he most likely meant romantic relationships, but damn, that blush of his was fucking adorable, and she wanted to watch that delicious red rise even farther up his face. “Probably Gabi.”

His eyes widened. “Oh! I thought—”

“We’ve been best friends for over twenty years.” She grinned, saving him from the awkward guessing game that was happening in his brain. “We met in the third grade or so. She’d just moved to Florida, and we clicked immediately. She’s like a sister.” Sage’s heart cracked a bit.

Gabi had moved to California a few years ago to pursue her dream of being an otter fluffer—yes, Sage was surprised it’s a real thing too—and she was succeeding. It made Sage so happy to see her friend so successful, but dammit if she didn’t miss her fiercely. Sage cleared her throat of the frog that had climbed there and waved at Soren.

“I think that’s wonderful you have someone close like that. And for so long? That’s… almost unheard of,” he commented, voice soft and low.

It was then Sage realized Soren understood loneliness. That had to be why he was so closed off. Secretive. What would Soren be like if he just had a friend? Or maybe… something more?

Had he ever had someone more? Family or…

Plucking a block from the middle of the precarious tower, Sage raised her eyebrow at Soren.

He inclined his head, prompting Sage to ask.

A million questions ran through her mind, but she had to pick one. She wanted to know everything about the man in front of her, to dig deep and figure out who he was.

She lowered the block into the box as she asked, “Where are your parents? I know you said this was their place, but… where are they now?” As she turned to face him, she almost regretted the question as it left her lips.

Soren’s entire body froze, his eyes locked onto the wooden blocks in front of him. He wouldn’t even look at her, instead averting his eyes to the ceiling.

“Skies above,” he mumbled before reaching an arm behind him, quickly divesting himself of his sweater.

Sage stared. She knew it had to be a touchy subject, what with the hidden pictures, but to downright skip the question?

Bold, Soren. Bold.

There was something there he wasn’t ready to talk about. The man had chosen to strip, for goodness’ sake, so she knew better than to push him.

She could, however, enjoy the view of Soren in a white t-shirt and jeans. His arms flexed as he settled back into a comfortable position, practically daring her to go on.

“Note taken,” she said with an obvious, greedy once-over. “I won’t ask again. I’m not that pushy.”

He chuckled at that, effectively breaking the tension surrounding them.

“My turn.” His grin was wide and mischievous. He tapped a loose block, his eyes filled with mirth as the block clattered to the table. “Weirdest place you’ve had sex?” Soren’s brow raised, goading her.

Sage’s cheeks heated at the implications of the question. She was not answering him, embarrassing memories of teenage fumbling at her friend’s house during a party flitting through her mind. Everyone within hearing distance had spread the rumor around school, and she never lived it down. With a mumbled curse, the cozy long-sleeved shirt she wore made its way to the floor, leaving her in nothing but leggings and a lacy bralette. She avoided Soren’s eyes directly, but she could feel the featherlight caress of his gaze as it roved over her bare skin. Heat raked down her spine, settling low in her belly as he stared shamelessly.

They’d both seen each other naked already, so what was her damn problem?