Page 25 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“A café?”

“Yeah. It’s really nice.”

He found a place to park, and they walked. “So?” Ody glanced at him. “What do you think so far?”

“It’s nice.”

Ody looked ahead, then grinned when he spotted a small ice cream stand by the street. “Ice cream! Want some?”

“Sometimes you act like a little kid,” Mano said.

Ody didn’t hesitate grabbing his arm. “Come on.”

They each got a cone and kept walking along the coast.

“Where are we going now?” Mano asked.

“The lighthouse.”

The path opened to the sea, the lighthouse rising ahead on the rocks as waves moved around it. Mano slowed, taking it in. They walked closer before climbing onto the large white rocks by the water and sat down.

“Can I try yours?” Ody asked, eyeing his ice cream.

“No,” Mano said, not looking at him.

“Come on. I’ll let you try mine.”

“I don’t want to,” he said, a little sharper this time.

“Hey… are you angry at me?”

Mano turned to him, jaw tight, eyes hard. Ody’s smile faltered. That wasn’t embarrassment anymore. Mano looked genuinely tense. Maybe he had pushed too far.

“I’m sor—”

“What if your parents had heard us?” Mano cut in. “What if your sister knocked on the door?”

Ody stared at him. That’s what this was about? Not what he’d done… just where they were?

“I don’t want you doing stuff like that while we’re here,” Mano said.

“Yeah, but how am I supposed to hold back, sharing a room with you—”

“Figure it out. I don’t care.” He licked his ice cream. “Worst case, I’ll take you to get neutered.”

“Dude,” Ody laughed. “I’m not a dog.”

“Not so sure about that,” Mano muttered.

“You are one,” Ody grinned. “A puppy, actually. A small one.”

Mano turned to him, fixing him with a sharp, warning look. “If I were a dog, I’d be a Doberman. You, though…” He gave him a slow once-over, taking his time. “…Maltese.”

“What the hell?” Ody snapped. “I’d be a Golden Retriever.” He ran a hand through his hair, shaking it. “Look at this.”

Mano let out a quiet laugh. Ody blinked, then a grin broke across his face.

“Fine,” Mano said. “I’ll call you Max.”