“Hecould hit a strike blindfolded,” Declan said. “I’ve seen him do it.”
“It’sbeen years,” Ash objected. He didn’t want to get Declan’s hopes up that he’dsingle-handedly win this for them. Besides, it was supposed to be a friendlygame.
“Ihave faith in you,” Declan said, confirming what Ash had just been thinking. Hecouldn’t bring himself to say anything against it.
He’djust have to single-handedly win a bowling match for his husband. Who was maybeabout to become his friend-with-benefits.
Orsomething. Ash hadn’t thought a whole lot about where their relationship wasgoing. He liked it where itwas, but he couldn’t deny that he liked theidea of exploring what it could be. It was a scary thought, but it was alsoexciting.
Especiallyif Declan was going to keep being this sweet to him.
“Bowlingit is, then,” Ash said. “Tell Lexi to bring his A-game.”
“Henever brings anything else.” Marcus smiled a wry, fond smile. “He’s gonna be soexcited. See you guys… around eight? Or do you wanna grab food first?”
“It’smy turn to cook,” Declan said. “And I skipped out on it last time, so… I shoulddo it this time.”
Marcussmiled at that. “Understood.”
“Eightwould be perfect,” Ash added, a wave of affection toward Declan rolling throughhim.
Declanwasbeing sweeter than Ash had gotten used to, but not sweeter than he’dever been. This was what Declan was like when he was happy.
AllAsh had wanted out of this was for Declan to be happy. Forbothof themto be happy, and free from the stress and misery of their old lives.
Hewas starting to think he’d gotten his wish. Declanmusthave felt freerhere than he did back in Denver.
“Perfect.See you guys later,” Marcus said, heading for the door.
Ashwaved after him, the thought hitting him as Marcus left that he hadn’t hadfriendsin a long time. It was nice to have that again.
Thisplace made him happy as well. They’d made a great decision in coming here, asfar as Ash was concerned. He couldn’t have asked for more.
Heturned to Declan, finding him unpacking the bag of takeout he’d brought in.Burgers from the local diner, as promised. Ash had mentioned wanting to try itout, so Declan had brought lunch to him instead of closing the shop, since Ashwas still afraid to do that during normal hours. He wanted to be seen asreliable.
Declanhad avoided rolling his eyes too hard, and said that if he couldn’t go to thediner, the diner could come to him.
Ashwas really starting to hope Declan figured out what was going on in his headsoon, because everything he’d done today had been incredibly attractive. He’dbeen attracted to Declan before, in a distant, general kind of way, but now…
Now,heactively wanted to fuck him. Declan was back to being the man he’d beenpainfully, secretly in love with for years.
Maybetheydidput something in the water here.
“Hey,uh… thank you for having faith in me. It means a lot,” Ash said belatedly,still watching Declan dividing the food between them. He’d gotten a serve ofgolden, deliciously greasy-looking fries, too, and Ash’s mouth was alreadywatering at the thought.
IfDeclan was looking for the way to his heart, he’d found it.
“You’reawesome at bowling.” Declan shrugged, unwrapping his hamburger. “I haven’tforgotten,” he said, looking down at the counter. “I’m remembering, actually.What we used to be like.”
Ashsmiled at that, grabbing his own burger. They’d been joined at the hip sincethey met, more or less.
Hewould have liked to extend that to actually being joined at around hip level.He’d seen the way Declan filled out a pair of boxer-briefs. Regardless ofwhether or not he had the technique, hedefinitelyhad the equipment.
“I’dlike that back,” Ash said. “I mean… we’re never going to be twenty again, but…we could be happy again. Carefree.”
“Ithink I’m getting there,” Declan said softly. “If you can be patient with me?”
Ashgot the feeling they weren’tjusttalking about happiness.
