Ru gave him a knowing smile.
“’Cause, bro, you both got it bad. Get that boy alone and show him a good thing.”
“I don’t know if he’s ready for that.” Bas didn’t know ifhewas ready for that. Yeah he’d fantasized and even jerked off a time or two, but doing it for real….
“How about you let him decide if he’s ready? You’d be surprised where a little kissing can lead.”
It couldn’t be that simple, could it? Could the guy he wanted want him back? Bas stuffed his books away and focused his attention on Dane, who moved around the kitchen like it belonged to him. What was the worst that could happen? Dane would have a panic attack and have to go back to rehab, maybe drop back a phase. Bas wouldn’t let anything else happen. Dane trusted him, and he wasn’t about to let him down.
* * *
Everyone ate with gusto. Dimitri would have shouted something joyful in Italian and thrown something on everyone. Sugar, flour, whatever grainy substance was available. Dane felt good watching everyone devour the food he’d prepared. Adam had been proud as a peacock for helping. Everyone patted him on the back and told him there might be hope for him yet.
Ru kissed him. “Love you either way, babe.”
The gelato had been a hit. His first attempt, a soft strawberry-lemon blend that was all natural and a sweet-sour mix that had everyone moaning for a second bowl, was successful.
He was somewhat surprised that everyone left after cleanup was finished. Not just Adam’s parents, but Adam and Ru, and even Paige said she was going to be staying over at Marissa’s. That meant Dane was alone with Bas. His stomach swirled with both excitement and fear. Would Bas want him? Would he push him away?
“Let’s do something tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be cold, but we can do something indoors,” Bas was telling Adam as they were heading out the door. “We’ll text you tomorrow and make plans.”
“We’re open to anything after I run. Have a good night. Bye, Dane. See you tomorrow!” Adam said.
Dane smiled and waved them all off. Bas closed the door, locked it, and turned to lean back on it.
“We’re being set up.”
“For what? Like on one of those cop shows?”
Bas shook his head. “More like a romantic comedy.”
“Can’t say I’ve seen a lot of those.” He scooped the last of the gelato into a bowl. “Seems silly to put this tiny bit away.”
“Bring it with.”
“Are we going somewhere?”
“We’re going to watch a movie in my room.”
Dane blinked at his friend. He couldn’t recall ever being inside Bas’s room, and since Bas never spent much time there, Dane had had no idea Bas even had a TV in there.
“Okay. What are we gonna watch?”
“I’m thinkingAbout Time.” Bas led him up the stairs and to his door. He paused, blushing slightly, then opened the door. The room was big, the bed actually a bunk over the top of a sofa. The walls were a dark purple and green, striped vertically. There were shelves of books and DVDs. All in all it looked like a very swanky studio apartment.
“This is cool. My place in LA isn’t much bigger, but it’s not near as nice. What’s the movie about?”
Bas dug out the DVD and turned the player on before kicking off his shoes. “It’s about a guy who has the ability to travel through time. And he uses it to make a girl fall in love with him. It’s a date movie.” He sat down on the chaise end of the sofa and patted the seat beside him.
“That sounds a little creepy.” Dane took the seat and offered the bowl. “Crap, I forgot another spoon.” Dane paused, thinking through Bas’s words. “Wait, is this a date?”
“Maybe.” Bas smiled. “It’s okay, we’ll share the spoon.” He flicked on the movie and set the remote down to take the spoon, eating the first bite. He scooped up another batch of the creamy goodness and held it out for Dane. “This stuff is amazing.”
The movie began, and they finished the ice cream. By midway through, Dane was curled up, halfway in Bas’s lap, head on his shoulder, listening to his heartbeat. He watched the lives of the characters, how they fought for love and lost it several times, only to find it again.
When it finally ended, Dane felt changed. All those roads, all the mishaps, all the fear and pain, and all the good experienced by the characters in the movie. He wanted that bad. But he had to make that decision, didn’t he? Bas turned off the movie.
“Can I kiss you?” Dane asked him. “Like I did in the park?”
