“Because it’s the quickest way to get uptown.” The train jerked to a stop at 72nd Street. “See? We’re here already.” He took my hand, and like a kid, I followed at his heels. People crowded me on all sides.
“Shit, this is nuts.”
The staircase could barely accommodate two people shoulder to shoulder, and yet everyone pushed their way on. It was like releasing fish from a net with how we all exploded out of the station. Finally free, I stood to catch my breath on the corner of Broadway and 72nd.
“Never again. Do you hear me?”
Torre was still laughing as we walked into Presley’s store.
Press’s eyes lit up. “I wasn’t expecting you and Torre.”
“I almost didn’t make it.” I threw myself onto the small sofa near Press’s display counter. “I need a drink.”
“You poor baby.” Torre snorted. “How did you manage to survive?”
“Why? What’s going on?” Presley’s gaze shifted from me to Torre.
“He”—I pointed to Torre—“forced me to take the subway here.”
“And yet you lived to tell the tale. Imagine that.” Torre rolled his eyes at me.
“Barely. I’ve never seen so many people crammed into a tiny space with no way to get out. I need a shower.”
“Dramatic, much?” Torre sat next to me and patted my arm. “Keep whining, and I’ll go one worse and make you take the bus downtown.”
“I’d rather eat one of those disgusting dollar slices you keep trying to shove in my face.” I sniffed.
“Is that a challenge?” Torre quirked a brow.
“Will both of you stop and tell me what’s happening?” Presley yelled.
I ran my hands through my hair. “Remember when I said I didn’t believe in being with the same person more than once? That I didn’t even like the same breakfast twice in a row?”
Despite a tremendous effort to suppress it, a gigantic smile broke out over Presley’s face, and he bounced on his toes. “Yes. Yes, I remember.”
I took hold of Torre’s hand, and he squeezed tight. “I might’ve learned to enjoy scrambled eggs on the regular. Ouch.” I rubbed my shoulder where Torre punched me. “What?”
“That’s how you tell your best friend?” His brown eyes blazed, and I felt the familiar stirring of lust. Damn, he was hot when he got fired up. “Scrambled eggs? You’re comparing me to scrambled eggs?”
“Ah,bello. I’m sorry.” I kissed him, and he softened under my lips pressing against his. “How about eggs benedict?”
“Honestly, Torre?” Presley’s lips twitched. “Nate is a lawyer, and I promise to turn my back if you want to punch his lights out. I won’t see a thing.”
“I may take you up on that.” He shot me a murderous look while Presley folded his arms and glared at me.
“You aresucha jerk.”
My heart pounded, and Torre laced his fingers with mine. Knowing he would be there for me no matter what lessened the tightness in my chest. I’d revealed it all to him, and he’d stayed. I didn’t have to pretend and do this alone. “I might have to take back that never-fall-in-love-again thing because it seems that for the first time, I’m wrong.”
“The first time?” Press chuckled.
“Don’t interrupt my moment,” I said darkly. “I can leave, you know, and then you won’t get to hear what else I have to say.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll shut up.” Press sat and clasped his hands in his lap. Waiting.
I swallowed hard. “Love doesn’t make people weak, and finding the right person can make you stronger. You only knew what I told you about Luca, because it was pretty sordid. You knew we were sleeping together, but it was an affair built on my lust, loneliness, and an unhealthy obsession. And he played on it, and me. When I came to live with you, it was out of necessity. See…” I met Press’s soft, dark eyes. “He wasn’t only sleeping with me, but with my mother. He’d go from my bed to hers and she knew. She knew he was with with both meandher, but she didn’t care. And after my parents divorced, they got married.”
“Jesus, Frisco.” Press turned pale, then red with fury. “Thatbastard. I wish I could see him so I can punch his face in. And your mother…how could she?”
