Connor tried not to think about Max sitting half-naked in here ahandful of hours earlier.
Masturbating over him once was fine, but Connor couldn’t affordfor Max to know that he had a big dumb crush on him.
If they were going to do this wedding thing and have it not beweird, Connor had to keep his feelings to himself.
He’d had plenty of practice at that. Sometimes, he felt like heonlyeverfell for boys he couldn’t have.
Max was definitely off-limits, which was probably encouraging him.
He padded into the kitchen, getting himself a glass of water anddrinking a few sips to wet his mouth before pouring the rest out.
Max was gorgeous. And sweet.
Exactly Connor’s type, though histypewas rarely the kindof man who returned his feelings.
Which was fine. He could handle a stray crush without it becominga whole thing.
The important thing was the competition, and he wasn’t going to letany inconvenient feelings get in the way of winning.
Chapter Ten
“It’s really cute that we’re doing this in the bookstore where youguys met,” the photographer said, grinning at Max and Connor as she set up hertripod. “Please don’t look so worried, this is just a couple of photos and afew interview questions.”
Max swallowed. He knew he looked nervous, but he couldn’t help it.He hadn’t thought about what doing this would mean.
He hadn’t actually thought through the fact that he’d have tolieto anyone. Not face-to-face, anyway.
“Besides, I’ll be photographing your wedding for you, so… I wantyou to be comfortable with me. It’s a big day.”
“It’s gonna be the best day of my life,” Connor said, grabbingMax’s hand with both of his and holding it in his lap.
Normally, Max wasn’t really much of a hand-holder, but he was gladto have something to hang onto. Something to ground him.
He turned to look at Connor, smiling a tiny, shy smile.
“Best day of my life, too,” Max said. “Sorry I seem nervous.Reminds me of school picture day.”
The photographer--Kelsey, she’d said her name was--laughed. “We’renot making a yearbook,” she said. “And I’ll only print the best, promise.”
Max swallowed. That was kind of what he was afraid of. Theprinting part, not the best part.
Hereallyhadn’t thought this through, but he’d come toofar to back out now.
Besides, Connor was there with him. He could do this.
“So, how did you two meet?” Kelsey asked, sitting down oppositethem with a pen and a notebook. Old school. Max respected that, since shecouldn’t have been much older than he was. His handwriting was illegible evento him.
“We met here,” Connor began. “For me it was love at first sweet,sweet mouthful of caffeine. Then I noticed the barista.”
Kelsey chuckled. “Hard not to fall for the man who makes youcoffee,” she said.
“Right, exactly,” Connor agreed. “Still not sure what he sees inme, though.”
“I love you,” Max said automatically, since it seemed like theobvious response. The words felt strange in his mouth, an uncomfortable lie. Anunfair thing to say to Connor, who deserved to be loved for real.
At least they were both in on this.
“Cute,” Kelsey sing-songed, grinning at them. She was clearlybuying it, so that was one less hurdle to worry about.
