Fuck.
Both.
Wouldn’t think it, would you?
Yeah, I know I look good. Spent a lot of time bulking up the past few years, and not just naturally through all the construction work.
But you don’t grow up knowing people judge you by everything on the outside without knowing you want someone attracted to who you are on the inside.
And this body?
Won’t last. Still gonna get old eventually. And I can’t keep this diet up forever. I fuckinghatethis diet.
Laney’s tacos almost broke me. Smelledsodamn good.
But so long as my side hustle needs me to look like this, I don’t eat fried fish tacos covered in whatever that magic sauce was that Laney licked off her fingers like it was the best food she’s ever eaten in her entire life.
And I’m done thinking about tacos.
Done thinking about how even if Laney doesn’t have immediate regrets, she will when she finds out what’s been funding most of my bank account.
And my side hustle’s important.
It makes a difference. Unconventionally so, but that’s why I’m so fucking good at it. It doesn’t follow the rules.
I don’t follow the rules.
And that’s okay.
I’m not hungry.
I am at peace.
I am—dammit.
I am almost back to the path that leads from the beach up to the resort buildings when I hear Chandler.
“Yeah, of course. We’ve got a bungalow saved just for you, waiting for whenever you want to get here, and—no. No, of course. Nobody will know. You’re just an old friend, you know? Totally get where you’re coming from, man. Completely. One hundred percent.”
Fuck me.
I didn’t hear that.
I didnothear that.
There’s subtext and context and a story that I don’t want to know, but the biggest thing—I don’t want Laney moving out of my room.
There.
I said it.
If there’s an open bungalow, Laney could move in to it, and I don’t want her to.
There’s the not-so-subtle sound of a bug zapper zapping a bug, and I flinch.
He’s still using the damn fire starter.
“Yeah, man. I mean, we’re family. So we act like it. Thegoodkind of family. Couldn’t buy a better one. Heh. Joking. But like, not, considering you just—anyway. Come on out. You’ll see, and I won’t tell them who you are. Not unless you want me to. Honestly, I’d rather the announcement not come untilafterI’m on my honeymoon. But don’t worry. You’ll win them all over. I mean, it’s you or shutting down. Can’t argue with this, can they?”
