Ryder pulled me against him for a side hug. “You’re amazing and adorable, Atlas. Don’t look down on yourself. I thought the same thing when Finn first approached me. Like your guys, they make me feel special too. That ‘out-of-their-league’ feeling quickly went away.”
I hoped so. It was hard when you didn’t like your own face very much.
“Thanks, Rye-Rye.”
Chapter 11
Linden
Iparkedacrossthestreet from Atlas’s apartment and waited for him. I didn’t want to meet his roommates. It wasn’t that I had anything against them, but Atlas was still new to us, and we weren’t familiar. Meeting friends and family pushed it to newer levels we weren’t ready for…Iwasn’t ready for.
Honestly, I could get down to trying something serious with Atlas. I was still getting to know him, but from all his chatter, it was clear he loved his family and friends, was kind and smart, worked hard at his job, and was a quick learner. Not to mention how beautiful he was sexually.
Getting close to him would affect Hugh, though. What if Hugh wanted something more serious with Atlas? The fucked-up thing about our situation was that we were communicative with Atlas, but Hugh and I weren’t communicative at all. Sure, we talked about all sorts of things about our lives, but we hadn’t talked about what would happen if we grew attached to Atlas. Before, it had only been sex, but this was the first time Hugh had brought someone into our fold for more than a one-time bang.Atlas was a special case, and I wasn’t sure we were prepared for the outcome.
The lack of communication was partly my fault—allmy fault. If we’d been open, then I would have come clean about my feelings, which could potentially ruin our relationship, or at least our dynamic. I’d like to think Hugh wouldn’t shove me off to the side, no matter how he felt about it. Unfortunately, if I wanted more with Atlas, I’d want more with Hugh. God, I should tell him. In the meantime, I’d wait to see how things played out.
When our princess approached the car, carrying a Tupperware container, with a backpack strapped to his shoulder, I quickly got out, rushed to the passenger side, and opened the door for him.
His eyelashes fluttered at me. “Such a gentleman!”
I grinned at him. “I’malwaysa gentleman.”
“That you are, gorgeous.”
When he got in and sat down, I closed his door and climbed into the driver’s seat. “Got everything you need?
“I think so. I hope so.”
“I’m sure Hugh has extra stuff if you’ve forgotten anything.” I glanced at his lap with the container resting on his legs. “What’s that?”
“Baklava for dessert.”
I raised a brow. “You made baklava?”
“Sure did, hun. My mom’s a better cook, but she’s taught me a lot.”
“He’s cute,andhe can cook,” I winked.
“What can I say? I’m a Renaissance man.”
“Can you speak Greek, too?”
“Eh, a little. My parents were born here, but my grandparents came from Greece, so I had to learn how to speak to them.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off Atlas as he stared out of his window. He looked beautiful with his pearl earrings and necklace. The red blouse paired with his dark wash jeans was sexy as hell.
“You look gorgeous,” I said.
He frowned when he looked at me, then he quickly smiled, making me question what I saw. “I am? Thanks.”
“I look forward to our little party tonight.”
“Oh god… so am I. Dinner, sexy fun times,anda sleepover? Consider me over-the-moon excited.”
When we finally reached the Rock Creek area and Hugh’s home, Atlas was staring at the house as we headed up the driveway.
“Huh, I thought it’d be bigger.”
