That sentiment nearly forces the air out of my lungs.
“I—I didn’t mean—”
Tytus shakes his head. “Imagine what it would be like if we both stopped rehashing the last couple of months. If we stopped trying to drag each other through the mud for how we acted before last night.”
I swallow down the shame that threatens to force out another apology. I’m prepared to spend a lifetime groveling for what I did. The idea of just letting it go is as disarming as it is enticing.
“So we have to be nice to each other from here on out?”
He scoffs. “I wouldn’t go that far, old man. Ragging on you and your middle-aged best friend is becoming a favorite pastime for me.”
I crack a smile.
God dammit.
“But if we agreed to a fresh start,” he says, “it would be a helluva lot easier to move forward.”
Tension crackles between us as I scrutinize him. Part of me still doesn’t trust him and is waiting for him to burst out laughing at my expense.
But when he holds out his hand, it sinks in. This is real.
In one jerky move, I step forward and grasp it.
“To fresh starts,” I offer.
He huffs. “It’s a handshake, prof. Not a toast at our wedding.”
Right. Fresh starts don’t change who we are at our cores. I’ll need to remember that.
“Thanks for this, by the way,” he adds, smoothing over the bandages now covered by his shirt.
I dip my chin. “Anytime. I mean that.”
He sucks in a breath through his teeth. “Honestly I’m hoping I won’t need to recover from another injury like this anytime soon.”
And here comes the shame again. Fuck.
“Fair enough.”
“Think I’ll lay down for a while. I can sleep on the couch if—”
“No.” I cut him off. “Please. Stay in here. The blackout blinds are great. Rest for as long as you like. I’ll let Sawyer know where you are when they get back.”
He nods and mumbles a thanks as I quietly leave the room, humbled but grateful.
Chapter thirty-eight
Sawyer
My body is warm from the inside out despite the chilly air in the empty bakery.
Noah is going to have to sanitize the shit out of the countertop before the store reopens.
I can’t worry about that now, though.
Now, all I can focus on is the deep satisfaction flowing through my veins. I want to stay here forever. Prolong this moment with the man who’s covering me like the comfiest of blankets and nuzzling into my neck while he tells me how perfect and wanted I am.
With each kiss he presses to my skin, I shiver, deeply satisfied and overstimulated at the same time.
