“Josh, chill. You said this morning that it was the best orgasm ever. Wouldn’t you want to do that again?”
The gears in Josh’s head came to an abrupt halt. He hadn’t even thought about doing it again, especially now that his best friend was ignoring him.
He replayed that early morning in his head. He'd been dreaming about Riley holding him so close, and it felt so right. He couldn't tame his arousal. When he realized it was real and Riley was over him, his breath had stuttered and he couldn’t help holding him tighter,chasing his climax.
“Well, why would Riley want to do it again? I’m pretty sure he’s straight. I’m pretty sure I’m straight. What if it was just getting off together and it didn’t mean anything? It’s not like I’m in love with Ri.”
Elena narrowed her eyes.
“If you could build your dream partner, what would they be?”
Josh scoffed. “I doubt they exist. No one can handle being around Riley so much. They’d have to be okay with him being my priority.”
“And why is your priority Riley, instead of your dream partner?”
“Because Riley is everything to me. Without him, I’m… I’m not even me without him. I want to do everything with him. See the world. Watch our business take over the world. Raise our kids.”
Elena spoke slowly, maybe worried he’d miss her point if she didn’t. “Did you ever think that maybe you could have all those things with Riley? Thathecould be your dream partner?”
Josh started shaking his head. “No. No way. I’m not anywhere near good enough for Riley. He deserves someone better than me.”
A soft pressure hit his hand, and he realized Elena had covered his thick-gloved hand with hers. He snapped his gaze to hers, not used to her showingaffection.
“I don’t think Riley would agree with you on that. Just like he’s the best part of your life, you’re the best part of his. Think about it. Your dream partner might have been staring you in the face this whole time.”
“Elena, I think you’re better off with Cole. I’m sorry, but I don’t think you’re my dream partner.”
She blinked a few times and sighed. “When I said staring you in the face, I didn’t mean the fact that I’m currently making eye contact with you. I meant Riley has been in your face your whole life. You live together, work together, go to the gym together. How could anyone else ever fit in either of your lives?”
Fuck. Was she right? Was he keeping Riley from meeting his dream partner?
“You’re right. Maybe he needs more space from me so he can find the person he’s meant to be with.”
Elena grunted, like she was frustrated. What did she have to be frustrated with? She had already found her dream partner in Cole. Although, he frustrated her all the time. Their relationship confused him. Maybe she was frustrated because they were about to reach the top.
“Just talk to Riley, okay? See what he’s feeling,” she said, readying herself to jump off the lift.
Because of the distraction, he jumped a second too late and face planted, sliding down the mini hill and landing at Riley’s feet.
Cole’s laughter rang out as Riley sprang forward tohelp Josh stand.
“Damn, one night together and he’s falling for yo—Oomph!” Cole’s voice was cut off with an elbow to his ribs, courtesy of Elena. “Baby, you know I love it when you get physical.”
She muttered something in Spanish as they pushed away on their skis.
Once Josh stood again, he finally caught Riley’s gaze.
“You okay, man?” Riley asked, worried. Josh hated worrying him. And Riley could do so much better than him. Hewoulddo better than him.
“Yeah, all good. Let’s head down this mountain.”
————————
The smell of bacon and eggs frying left Josh confused. He wished he could say it was a feeling he didn’t have often.
“Hailey, are you making breakfast? I thought you and Avery were going to grill burgers for dinner,” he asked.
“Avery’s outside manning the grill. I’m making toppings for the burgers.”
