You have no idea what’s going on in my head, buddy.
“Thanks.”
He let himself out of my office, and I exhaled deeply. I felt bad for him, even though I hadn’t done anything wrong. I hoped he’d still be my friend after this because he was practically the only friend I had who was close to my own damned age.
I’d thought it was funny that most of my buddies these days were twenty years younger than me. The Lost Boys didn’t have quite the same mentor relationship with me that they’d had with Robert and instead made me feel like I was one of them.
Now I wondered how badly I’d been fooling myself. I contemplated with dawning horror that, perhaps, I’d somehow becomethatstereotypical middle-aged man. Instead of buying a flashy car or attempting the latest fashion trends, I was getting railed by a guy in his early thirties and hanging with his friends.
Cringe.
Even as I was chastising myself, though, I pulled up my phone, hoping Major would be on board with another roll in the hay. Our chemistry was simply too hot to ignore.
Me:I forgot to mention that I’d run out of your preserves. An entire tragedy.
Major:Oh dear. We can’t have that, can we?
I grinned, imagining his serious face delivering the joke.
Me:I’d hope not.
Major:How about I bring you some this evening?
Me:My morning toast thanks you.
I passed Seth on the way out to the parking lot, and he sent me a small wave, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. Before I could guilt-trip myself about not returning his interest, I got another text from Major.
Major:I made some blueberry jam last week, and I think it’s some of the best I’ve ever made.
Major:Unless you’d prefer to stick to the strawberry.
Me:Would it be too greedy of me to ask for both?
Major:Not at all. See you soon.
I grinned at my phone and then laughed at myself. If I was going to be stereotypical, I couldn’t do better than Major.
CHAPTER 13
major
“Where are you going?” Leo asked as I snagged a jar each of the strawberry preserves and the blueberry jam.
I hesitated, but I wasn’t very good at lying, so I went with the truth. “Ren ran out.”
“Wait. You’re bringing him one of the blueberry, too?” Leo asked, eyeballing the two jars in my hands.
I froze, unsure of his implication. A while ago he’d guessed there was something between me and Ren, but I’d lied and acted like he didn’t know what he was talking about. I was even less inclined to bring him in now that I’d grown to look forward to Fridays so much that the days in between seemed to take forever. Hell, it had been less than twenty-four hours since Ren and I last saw each other, and I’d already started getting antsy. I’d never admit how happy it made me that he wanted to see me sooner rather than later. That fucked with my head, and I didn’t need Leo adding to that.
Not wanting him to get any more suspicious than he already might be, I went for nonchalant. “Yeah. He said he wanted to try it.”
“That’s not the last jar, is it?”
Relief flooded my chest, and I almost laughed at Leo’s concerned look. I should’ve known he was focused on the food and not my love life. Sex life. Whatever.
“No,” I said. “Besides, now that I know how good it tastes, I’ll be making more, I promise.”
Leo pumped his fist, and I laughed as I headed toward the door. “See you later, Leo.”
