“It’ll be good for him,” Reed replies.
“And you can take a load off and finally relax as we wait. You’ve got jeans on and everything!”
We laugh, and I don’t miss the slight blush on his cheeks. Maybe Reed is as into me as I hope he is?
“I can’t deny how fun this is. Hanging out.”
“See? And you said you can’t make friends.” I lean back, and we both chuckle. “You’ve already made a friend in me.”
“That’s because you’re so great.” He stares at his cup, and I try not to squeal at the compliment.
We sip quietly for another moment and watch as patrons enter the institute. “I can really only hang out while helping my nephew. I’m hardly friend material.”
“That’s not true,” I retort.
“Well, I’m certainly not boyfriend material.” I freeze at his words, and the gorgeous man catches my gaze. “No one wants to date a guy who can’t give them time and attention.”
My mouth feels like sandpaper, and my trembling hand taps my cup. “I’m sure you have time to devote to uh…women.”
“I don’t. And I used to date men.” Hope swells in my heart, but he continues, “Now, I simply can’t date anyone.”
The hope flies off, like a popped hot air balloon in a cartoon. “I’m…that’s…I’m sure you could date a guy. You’re such a catch.”
Reed shakes his head and leans back. “Thanks, but with my workaholic lifestyle, I’ve sworn off trying to get with anyone. Single is how I have to be.” He smiles, looks at me, and continues, “But I bet someone like you has your pick of men.”
The only man I want to pick is staring right at me and has sworn to celibacy.
After a moment, I scoff. “Yeah, right.”
“No? No guys want a great guy like you?”
“I’ve dated. But the ones who want me end up being pushy, manipulative assholes. Not jumping back into their arms again.”
Something dark passes over Reed’s face before he smiles again. “I’m glad you’re staying away from bad dudes.”
His words are soothing despite the utter disappointment in my bones. “Trying to find a good queer guy in your thirties isn’t easy. I’d rather stick with my friends and avoid bad relationships.”
Reed grins, and his eyes crinkle up. “Same here. And hey, we’re friends now. Which is great.”
“Totally great,” I reply, ignoring the displeasure in my soul.
He raises his cup. “Cheers. To friends being enough in our hectic lives.”
I tap my coffee cup to his. “To friends being enough for now.”
Give me an Oscar because I managed to say all that happily despite the utter pain in my heart.
Hours later, the Sung family is long gone. I’m upstairs at my cubicle, slumped over on my desk. Ardsley is on my left, wearing an empathetic frown. Karlo and RJ approach me, and I don’t have the energy to look up at them.
“What’s wrong, Sky?” Karlo asks.
“Everything,” I mutter.
“His morning with Reed was…disappointing,” Ardsley says, gently.
“Aw, man.” Karlo touches my shoulder, and I slump lower onto my hands on the desk. “Reed is straight, huh?”
“Worse. He’s gay but insists he’s sworn off men. So he has no interest in me.”
