“You know you don’t have to hide what you have with Blake from me.”
“I’m not.” But Noah was no fool.
“You’re entitled to have a relationship and be happy.”
“I wish the doctor took his own advice.” Jeremy put his feet up on the desk. “Find someone who can love you like you should be loved.”
“Look at you, little mister matchmaker.” Noah laughed at him. “Guess now that you have a perfect relationship, you want to see everyone coupled up.”
“Ha, ha. You’re a riot. But seriously.” No one deserved to be happy more than Noah. “The doctor should take his own advice. Get back on the dating horse.”
“I don’t see a need to rush,” Noah said in an obvious attempt to brush him off.
Jeremy snorted. “I think you’re safe.”
“If it happens, it happens. I’m not running out to meet anyone.”
As far as Jeremy knew, Noah didn’t do anything. He went home every night and except for his show, patients, and the help line he volunteered at, had no social life. He refused most of Jeremy’s invitations to join Blake and him when they went to dinner or brunch, claiming,“You don’t need a third wheel.”
“You shouldn’t be alone all the time. It’s not healthy.”
“Who’s the doctor here? And besides, I’m not alone. I have a cat, remember?”
“Um, okay. I don’t see the correlation, but you know I’m looking out for you. I only want you to be happy.”
“I’m fine.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
Noah chuckled. “Now you really sound like me. But really, Jer?” His voice sobered. “I’m okay. The best I can be for now.”
“Okay.” Jeremy forced out the words. “That’s all I want.”
“So how are you and Blake? Speaking of happy couples.”
The mention of Blake’s name drove away the darkness of Noah’s problems, and Jeremy couldn’t hold back the happiness that filled him every time he thought of Blake. “We’re good. He’s busy as hell and going to get busier, but he tells me that’s normal for accountants.”
“You found a great guy, you know. Hang on to him.”
“I intend to.” Thinking Noah wouldn’t judge him, Jeremy needed a few questions answered. “Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot. I have time before my next patient.”
“Sometimes, I feel, uh, I mean, I wonder if maybe Blake only cares about my looks. Or that he doesn’t think I’m smart enough to understand his work.” Jeremy hadn’t voiced his feelings of inadequacy out loud before and winced, waiting to hear Noah’s response.
“Why do you think that?”
“Little things.” Like every time he tried to talk to Blake about his work, he felt brushed off. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m imagining it.”
“You said he stood up to Mom when she made light of your gym. That doesn’t sound like someone who isn’t proud of you or doesn’t think you’re smart enough.” Noah sounded troubled. Years earlier, Jeremy had gotten drunk and confessed everything to Noah—how he’d always felt left out and ignored by their mother. Other relationships might have faltered, but it brought them closer together as Noah shared with Jeremy how much he’d always hated modeling and wished he’d had the guts to stand up to her. “I didn’t think this still bothered you.”
“I didn’t either.”
“So what’s really going on? Talk to me.”
The thing about it was, Jeremy didn’t know. He sensed Blake holding back—but about what, he hadn’t a clue.
“I guess I should talk to him about it.”
