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“No. We can’t…dammit.”
Jess dropped down on Tony’s recliner, her elbows on her knees, her frustration tangible.
“Tell us what you’re thinking, Jess.” Rhys, as always, managed a calm, reasonable tone, something that was beyond Tony’s abilities at the moment. All he could think about was dragging her back to the couch and kissing her for the rest of time.
“I’m attracted to you.Bothof you.”
“Good,” Tony said, surprised when Rhys put a hand on his shoulder.
He shook his head subtly. “Let her talk.”
“And while that’s its own insane problem, and something I can’t even begin to wrap my head around, that’s actually not the reason we have to stop.”
Tony frowned. “It’s not?”
“I can’t risk losing this.” She lifted her hands, gesturing at the apartment. “Jasper is the most important thing in my life, and every decision I make impacts him. This is the first safe, good home he’s ever had. I would never—ever—do anything that would take this away from him.”
Tony opened his mouth to argue, to tell her she was wrong, but…she wasn’t. He’d kissed her impulsively without thinking beyond his own desires and needs. And Rhys had broken character and followed that lead. Something he could see his friend was now regretting.
“I understand, Jess,” Rhys said, reverting back to his practical, reasonable self.
She looked relieved, and she smiled at him gratefully. However, that look slipped when her gaze drifted to Tony.
He wanted to tell her he understood too. And he did. But understanding and accepting were two different beasts, and he wasn’t able to give her the same assurances. Because he didn’t want to.
Didn’t want to walk away from this.
From her.
No.
Fromthem.
When the silence drifted too long, Jess looked away, then slowly stood. Rhys did the same, while Tony remained motionless on the couch.
“I’m going to go to bed.”
Rhys nodded. “Okay. Good night.”
“I…” she started. Tony suspected she wanted to apologize again, feeling sorry for something that wasn’t her fault, for something he’d initiated.
“Good night, Jess,” Tony said, letting her off the hook, even though it was the last thing he wanted to do.
She swallowed and nodded before leaving the room.
Rhys dropped back down on the couch heavily. “Not exactly our finest moment.”
“Would you have done it?” Tony asked.
Rhys didn’t respond immediately, which told Tony he was really thinking about the question, searching for the truthful answer. Tony respected the hell out of his friend for seeking to give him that, instead of firing off some knee-jerk response out of frustration.
Rhys rubbed his jaw. “Tony, I’ve never shared a woman with another man.”
“Neither have I.”
Rhys studied his face, then nodded. “I’ll admit I’ve wondered about it.”
His roommate knew Layla, Finn, and Miguel, knew about their relationship.
