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“Jonah, I’m so glad.” I want to touch him but I can’t figure out how to not make it weird. “You can start moving forward now, find the future you want.”
Without looking at me, he grabs his fork and scoops up an entire quarter of the cupcake. “Elliott gave my number to one of his gay friends, and he wants to go out with me tomorrow night.”
I don’t realize I’ve stopped moving until he fidgets uncomfortably. “What?”
Shaking my head, I occupy myself with another bite of cake. “Nothing. It’s just fast, you know.”
“Should I do it?”
“You’re asking me?”
He pulls his shoulders up around his ears. “I don’t know. I guess I thought…well, you know about gay dating, so maybe you’d have an opinion. Apparently we’re interested in all the same things, sports and the outdoors and traveling. That has to be good, right? I’ve always wanted someone who can keep up with me.”
The sound of horns drifts up from the street below. He left all the blinds up, giving a panoramic view of the city lights, stretching so far in the distance you’d think they never end. His soft brown eyes search mine.
There are as many second chances as there are people in the universe.
Do I deserve one? Not really.
Do I want one? I was so completely sure I didn’t.
But you. You’re someone else’s second chance. He’s perfect for you in a way I could never be. When you crash into his life, his world will never be the same.
“Sure.” I straighten up, snagging one of the chocolate curls on top of the frosting. “It would be a good confidence builder, and maybe you’ll hit it off.”
He hesitates, then nods. “I will. Thanks.” Pulling out his phone, he composes the text right there in front of me, everything awkwardly silent but the click of the digital keyboard.
“Thank you for the cake.”
He grins, his tongue between his teeth. “You don’t have to be all nice about it. I know you think it’s cheesy as fuck.”
I pick up the candle, the striped wax melty against my fingers. “Are these reusable? It seems wasteful to throw it away.”
His face softens. “Yeah. Light it up on your actual birthday for me.” Extricating his legs from the stool, he slides off. “I guess I should get going. You have to rest for tomorrow, and Elliott’s got some kind ofMaddentournament bracket all set up.”
“I hope your date goes well.”
“I’m nervous. I don’t know how to make a guy like me. Is it like dating a woman?”
Following him to the entry, I watch him slide into his shoes and pull his hood up around his ears, digging my house key out of his pocket. “I’ve never been on a date with a woman. But I told you once that any guy would be lucky to have you.”
He shrugs, his eyes tracing my movements as I slide the key back into its place on my key ring, for real this time. “By the way, I got bored waiting for you, so I made you some lunches. They’re in the fridge.”
“I promise I’ll eat them.”
“You’d fucking better. I’ll text you some recipes later, so you can make your own.”
This time we don’t shake hands as he stands in the open doorway, letting in a draft from the dark hall. He just reaches out and I take his hand, my fingers sliding between his, and hold it for a minute before he saysgoodnightand walks away.
