“Perfectly aware,” I shoot back without looking at him.
“Because the flirting? It’s”—he makes a gagging sound—“too fucking much. I came to see my brother before heading to work. Not watch… this.”
Gabe picks up a random book like it might shield him from embarrassment, the flush spreading down his neck now. “We aren’t flirting,” he says to Aiden, then glances at me and whispers, “are we?”
He’s too fucking cute.
“Yeah, baby. We’re flirting,” I say in the most sultry tone I can manage. His eyes flash, and he sucks his bottom lip into his mouth while his eyes flick to my lips. When he releases his lip, it’s all puffy and damp. I have to bite back a groan. I don’t mind winding my friend up, but he doesn’t need a show.
“Oh, don’t worry,” Aiden deadpans, leaning an elbow on the counter beside me. “I’m enjoying myself. Watching my brother malfunction because my best friend can’t keep his big mouth shut? Honestly, highlight of my week.”
“Aiden,” Gabe groans, dragging a hand down his face.
“What? I’m a supportive brother over here. This is me being supportive.” He glances between us, smirking. “Although, Noah, fair warning—if you make him cry, I’ll kick your ass. Best friend or not.”
Gabe makes a wounded sound. “You don’t have to threaten him.”
“Sure I do.” Aiden grins and claps me on the back, a little hard, actually. “That’s my job as your brother. And it’s also my job as Noah’s best friend to irritate him.”
“Ignore him, he’s on a power trip with the threats. There have been several today alone.” Gabe’s eyes widen, but I lean closer, completely ignoring Aiden’s grumbling beside me, and drop my voice. “Miss me?”
I hear Aiden huffing, “Oh, for fuck’s sake.” But my focus is entirely on Gabe, his on me. His breath hitches, and he risks the smallest brush of his fingers against mine on the countertop and nods slowly.Fuck. It’s a barely there touch, but it sends heat rushing straight through me.
I’ve fallen so fast. So hard. Shit, I’m pretty sure I’ve been falling for most of my life. I’m so in love with him. I’m sure I was before anything even happened between us—before we even kissed, before the first brush of our pinkies.
It’s not a shocking realization; I feel like it was always going to be him. There’s no form of my future I can picture that doesn’t include him, no version of myself that isn’t tied to his heartbeat. This isn’t a choice, although I’d always choose him, it’s a bond. Permanent. Unbreakable.
Gabe’s it for me. Has been from the start. I just hope he can feel the same about me.
“Fucking hell, man,” Aiden groans again, dragging a hand down his face. “Can you guys not be all sappy while I’m here? I’m cool with you two being together, but don’t make me witness it.”
“Sorry,” I say, eyes locked with Gabe’s, not even pretending to sound sorry.
“Sorry,” Gabe echoes, shoulders shaking.
We keep staring anyway, unable to stop, as we try—and fail—to keep the laughter in.
27
NOAH
I’m working at the desk in my room, headphones in, when the smell hits me. Warm, garlicky, rich enough to make my stomach growl. Gabe must have come home while I was focused on work. I snap my laptop shut and head out of my room.
I pad into the hall, stretching my arms overhead, rolling my shoulders out from sitting too long. I pause in the entryway. Gabe’s at the stove. His hair’s mussed in that way it gets when he’s been running his hands through it. He doesn’t notice me, humming under his breath, a soft sound that makes my heart work double time. He’s started doing that the last few weeks, humming along to songs. He doesn’t do it on days when the shadows loom behind his eyes, so I know he’s feeling good today.
“Hi, baby.” I lean against the doorway, grinning. He jumps slightly before glancing back at me with a shy smile. I hate that he still jumps sometimes, but it’s not as often, and the way his smile is immediate makes that feeling settle.
“Hi, Blue.” His cheeks turn that beautiful shade of pink they do whenever he calls me that. “I got a new recipe from Ciarán, risotto. Are you hungry?”
I push off the frame and move into his space, peering over his shoulder. “Yeah. Do you need help?”
He shakes his head, his dark hair moving against my cheek. “No, it’s almost done. I didn’t want to disturb you while you were working. I put it on a bit earlier than I planned to, I’m starving.”
The words are so mundane, but they shock me. This is the first time since I moved in that he’s said he’s hungry. He usually picks at food. I’m irrationally happy about this.
“Smells amazing. How about a taste test?” I ask teasingly.
His brow furrows, but before he can respond, I plant my hands on the counter, either side of him, and run my lips over his neck, making him shiver. “Mm. Tastes unbelievable.”
