SEVENTEEN
“Why don’t you want me to set you up with Derrick? I think you two would really hit it off.”
Morgan lounged on his couch, FaceTiming with Chris, enjoying a glass of wine, and keeping half an eye on the television, which was tuned to something on Food Network he’d love to try but knew he never would. It had been four days since that bizarre night when Leo had brought him to Peter’s for a boxing lesson, and though they’d spent that night making love until the sun broke through the blinds, he’d gotten nothing more than an awkward, “See ya,” when he left in the morning. He’d seen Leo prowling around during the day, doing maintenance work on the grounds as well as on the inside of the building, but they never spoke.
“I’m not ready to have another relationship.”
Leo had all but said they were fuck-buddies and nothing more, yet if given the chance, Morgan knew he’d roll right over for the man again. Maybe Chris was clairvoyant, since he pounced on his words.
“Yeah? I bet if hot-and-hung Leo asked, you’d be on him like a fitted sheet.”
He opened his mouth to snap at his best friend, then stopped. “You’re right. And I’m stupid.”
Anger coupled with disappointment raced through him. Why should Leo get to make the decisions? Morgan went to bed with him knowing it wouldn’t go beyond anything physical, but hearing him say out loud they were merely two guys blowing off steam was a little disconcerting.
“You’re not stupid. You’re playing the field. Trust me, if a guy who looked like Leo wanted me and I were single, I wouldn’t say no. Thing is, not everyone has to be ‘the one.’ You can date and sleep with men you know aren’t the right one, the forever guy. That doesn’t make them a mistake.”
“When did you get so smart?” Morgan grumbled with a smile.
“Since I already went through that before finding Sean. You had Jeffrey, and luckily came out of it with your head on straight.”
“And still attached. But you know it wasn’t always like that. He started being abusive when he was up for partner.”
“Don’t make excuses.”
“I’m not,” he said hotly. “I just don’t want you to think I saw it from the beginning and married him anyway. That’s why I was able to escape without him fucking my head up too badly.”
“It was bad enough. And another reason why you should be playing the field. Come on, Morgan. It’s only a date. Derrick is really sweet. I really think you’ll hit it off.”
“And you met him where? Your yoga class?”
“Yeah. So you know he’s in good shape.” Chris waggled his brows. “Not like Leo, but you know how bendy yoga people are. It comes in handy.”
“You can stop anytime, you know.” Morgan shook his head and sipped his wine. “I get the picture.”
But Chris was on a roll. “There are positions Sean and I saw online that we never dreamed were possible in real life, but once I started yoga…man, it’s like our sex life is on another level.”
Sex with Leo had been like that, and Morgan didn’t need to bend himself into a pretzel to fly to the moon. But things had gotten too intense, too quickly, and instead of the fire blazing on, it had burned itself out.
“All right. I’ll go out with him.”
“Fantastic. Expect a call from him today.”
“Wait. You already gave him my number?” Morgan didn’t know whether to laugh or be annoyed.
“No, but I told him I’d be talking to you today, so he’s waiting.”
Jesus, who needed dating apps when you had Chris?
“Okay, okay. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“You’ll talk to me after you have your date with Derrick so you can say ‘Thank you, Chris.’”
“I’m hanging up now.”
Laughing, he ended the FaceTime and checked the photo Chris had sent him of Derrick. Slim, with dark hair and an easygoing smile—which was the polar opposite of Leo’s wary, almost haunted expression. Yet when Leo laughed, his eyes sparkled like the ocean and the pain melted away, leaving a man Morgan knew would take more than a date with someone else to forget.
But he’s forgotten me.One last gulp of wine, and Morgan jumped off the couch, determined not to let another day get away from him. He grabbed his wallet, keys, and phone, and off to the grocery store he went. An hour later he was home with enough food for the rest of the week.
