Page 176 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

They sat across from each other, menus in hand. After ordering, Ody shifted the small bag at his side, keeping it out of sight before finally placing it on the table. “I wanted to give you this.”

Mano’s brows pulled together as he looked at it. “What is it?”

“Open it.”

“You got me a gift?” Mano asked. “Why?”

“I wanted to. Ever since you got me the watch…” Ody lifted his wrist. “I haven’t taken it off.” His voice softened. “I couldn’t get you something like that, but… I hope you like these.”

Mano opened the bag. Three boxes were inside. “What’s all this?”

“I went in for one thing, but… I saw more and couldn’t stop myself.”

Mano let out a quiet laugh and opened the first box. Black hoops. He picked one up, turning it between his fingers. “These are sick.”

Ody smiled. “Open the next.”

Mano did. Silver hoops with a small cross hanging from them.

Ody leaned forward. “When I saw these, I could already picture you wearing them.”

Mano’s lips curved. “I like them a lot.”

“Open the last one,” Ody said, unable to hide his impatience.

He opened the last box. A silver band caught the light.

“You don’t have many spare fingers…” Ody laughed, glancing at Mano’s hands. “But maybe you could wear it on your index or your ring finger…”

Mano didn’t look down. His gaze stayed on Ody. “You’ve got good taste, mikre,” he said. “I love them.”

The waiter approached. They both leaned back, hands dropping from the table.

He set their drinks down. “Enjoy.”

“Thank you.”

As soon as he left, their eyes found each other again.

“You didn’t have to get me all this,” Mano said.

“I wanted to. Just picking them out… made me happy.”

A quiet moment settled between them.

“Thank you,” Mano said, softer this time. His hand slipped under the table, searching. Ody’s followed. Their fingers brushed, then laced together. Hidden.

“I want you to try them on when we get home,” Ody murmured.

“When we get home?” Mano tilted his head. “We’re not sleeping separately again?”

“Come on…” Ody hesitated, smiling. “You’re my boyfriend… can’t I stay over?”

“I don’t know…” Mano looked away, pretending to think about it.

“Come on. I’ll do whatever you want.”

Mano’s head snapped back. “Whatever I want?”