Brent wet his lips, starting on his side of the railing with the sandpaper. “But you’re not letting me repay you for fixing the porch up?”
“I’m doing this for my own personal fulfillment,” Riley argued. “It’s peaceful.”
Brent snorted. “I never could win an argument with you,” he said. “I don’t want your money.”
“I’m not giving it to you. I like the idea of not ever having to care about my tax returns again. Tax returns are boring. This is a wise investment for me.”
“I’m a wise investment?” Brent asked.
Riley looked up, another joke on the tip of his tongue, but he paused when he saw Brent’s face. Brent looked… flattered. No, honored.
He looked as if no one had ever said something like that to him before.
Without thinking, Riley reached out, touching Brent’s cheek lightly.
TheI love youhe desperately wanted to say caught in his throat.
Instead, he leaned in, brushing his lips against Brent’s, their noses bumping together as Riley tilted his head, putting just a little more pressure into the kiss.
He wanted to keep Brent. He wanted to keep Brent forever, and he would have traded everything he had to do it.
Unfortunately, Brent didn’t want anything he had, and Riley didn’t really have a whole lot to offer.
Not compared to any of the other people Brent could have in a heartbeat if he just asked them. Riley wasn’t even close to good enough for him.
That didn’t mean he was ready to stop, but he knew he had to brace himself to let go.
“You’re a very wise investment,” Riley murmured. “I’m lucky to have you.”
He was lucky to have Brent. Even for this brief, shining moment that could end at any time, he knew how lucky he was.
Even when his heart shattered because it was over, it would all be worth it.
