“Either is fine.”
“Tell me what you really want.”
You. I want you.
“Let’s do pizza. It’s quick, and then we can talk.”
He slanted me a look. “Okay.” His fingers flew over the keyboard. “Done. They said fifteen minutes to half an hour.”
I hated the way we were treating each other. Like strangers tiptoeing around a sleeping baby, scared to awaken it, and for what reason? Bobby? I had to tell Harlan that Bobby was the past. He—Harlan—was the future I hoped for.
“So that was Bobby. Pretty ballsy of him to show up without you knowing.”
I sat next to him and put my feet up on the coffee table. “Bobby was always the gutsy one, the one who went away to college, who tested our coaches’ limits, and who had the big dreams.”
“Looks like you’re the one living your dream. Moving to the city from a tiny town, finding your way, working, making friends. I’d say that was pretty ballsy.”
His thigh pressed to mine, and I could hear his breathing. I swore I could feel his heart pounding in tempo with mine. My fingers tipped his chin up. “You’re my friend, right?”
His eyes wide, Harlan licked his lips. “Yeah. I mean, I think so. I’ve never had a friend who didn’t want anything from me, so I’m not sure.”
“Oh, I want something from you.” I leaned over to kiss him when the buzzer sounded.
“Hold that thought.” I trailed my fingers over his cheek before standing. “You put the tip on the bill, right?”
“Yeah.”
I hit the buzzer and waited by the door. At the sound of approaching footsteps, I opened it.
“Hey, I’m glad you’re home.” Bobby tried to push his way inside.
Fuck.“Bobby, what the hell are you doing here? How did you find me?” I leaned in the doorway, hoping I could send him away before Harlan caught sight of him.
“It’s easy once I have your phone number.” His eyes gleamed. “I looked you up. Now let me inside and we can finish our conversation.”
“Yes, please, Cort. Let Bobby in, and we can chat.” Harlan put a hand on my shoulder, and I watched Bobby’s eyes narrow as he tried to figure out who Harlan was.
“I didn’t realize you had a guest. I can come back.”
“I’m not a guest. I live here. With Cort. So I’m staying.”
Challenge thrown down.
Bobby’s gaze homed in on Harlan. They were like two wolves circling for dominance. “You were in the bookstore, weren’t you? You work there?”
“I do.” Harlan opened the door wide. “Come on in and join us. We thought you were the pizza delivery.”
When Bobby walked by us inside, I grabbed hold of Harlan’s arm. “What’re you up to?”
A cocky smile tipped Harlan’s lips, and his eyes twinkled. “All I’m doing is trying to show some of that famous New York City hospitality. I’m innocent.”
I snorted. “You’re the last person to pretend innocence.”
“Says the man who jerks off in front of a video cam for money.” Harlan squeezed my butt. “If I have my way, he’ll be gone in less than half an hour.” His lips tickled my ear. “Then we can have our own private show.”
Oh God, Harlan. What are you planning?I followed him into the living room, where Bobby had already taken a seat on the club chair.
“I don’t know, Cort. This whole place would fit in your mama’s living room. I can’t believe you live here.”
