“Nothing…nada. So I guess you’re reconnecting with your childhood crush. I better be your only pick for best man. Maybe I should buy another suit, just in case.”
I’d have thrown a cushion at his face if I had one. Oh look, maybe Tanner was right about how handy they were—not just for decorative purposes.
“I don’t know where you’re getting these ideas, but you’re wrong.”
“Am I? Did you by any chance see your face when you spotted Tanner that night at the bar?”
“I don’t need to because I know how I feel, and you’re seeing things.”
He gave me a look that called me on my bullshit and more.
“Okay,” he said, standing, “I’ve done my neighborly duty. You have beer in your fridge, and I need to go home, jack off, and sleep.”
I groaned. “I regret moving to this building already.”
He chuckled. “It wouldn’t make a difference. You can’t keep me out now.”
“Yay,” I deadpanned.
After Noah left, I spent some time cleaning and doing laundry. The military had taught me to keep my stuff in order and my medical training had instilled in me the need to keep my surroundings clean.
When I finished, I walked around the apartment. It dawned on me that it looked way too clinical and bare.
The new furniture would fix the emptiness, but would Tanner think I was boring or a clean freak? And why did I care about what Tanner thought?
I picked up a dishcloth, bunched it up for good measure, and left it on the counter before going to my bedroom.
My bed, the only piece of furniture I’d had delivered before I arrived—thanks to Noah—was freshly made with white cotton sheets.
“Okay, yeah, I definitely need some color in this place.”
The morning came before I was ready. I’d gotten used to catching up on sleep on my days off and wasn’t prepared for Tanner’s way-too-energetic morning call. No matter how fucking sexy he looked in faded jeans, a T-shirt, and a backward cap.
“Wow, thank fuck I brought extra coffee with the extra donuts because you look like you need it.”
I opened the door to let him in. “Thanks,” I said, grabbing one of the coffees from the drink carrier.
“How do you know that one’s yours?”
“If it’s coffee, it’s mine,” I grumbled.
“Adult Jax isn’t a morning guy. Noted.”
I followed him to the kitchen, where he set the box of donuts on the counter, taking one and stuffing half of it in his mouth.
“Adult Tanner is way too chirpy in the morning, considering how late he went to bed last night.”
He winked, finishing the donut and looking inside the box for the next one. “How do you know how late I went to bed? Spying on me, Doctor Mitchell?”
“Educated guess based on your line of work.”
He straightened his cap, giving me one of those looks that made me weak at the knees. How did he still affect me so much after all these years?
It was bad enough when my crush was on a guy I thought was straight, but how did I handle the way my body came alive whenever I was near Tanner, knowing he was also gay?
“By the way, are you free next month?” he asked.
“You might need to be a little more specific.”
