Connor’s stomach bottomed out as he looked over and saw Max’ssister looking at him. Had he just accidentally outed Max? He’d never forgivehimself for that.
Before Connor could react, Max burst into laughter.
“Listen, you told me to tell him how I felt,” Max said, lookingback at Connor. “And this is how I feel,” he finished, his eyes sparkling as hesearched Connor’s face.
Connor felt like he reallyunderstoodwhat love wassupposed to feel like, now.
He felt as though Max could destroy him with a single word, but hetrusted him not to.
It was the most alive he’d ever felt.
Zoe rolled her eyes. “Get a room.”
“This is a room,” Max countered.
“Adifferentroom,” Zoe said.
Connor liked her already.
He pushed Max away gently, taking his hand so he wouldn’t feelabandoned, but holding it below Zoe’s line of sight.
She didn’t really seem upset, more like she was teasing herbrother, but he was a stranger, and she was recovering from surgery. He didn’twant to make things harder for her, or Max.
“I’m excited to finally meet you,” Connor said. “Since yourbrother isn’t introducing me, I’m Connor.”
He held his hand out to Zoe, who shook it firmly and seriously.
She looked a lot like Max, with the same piercing blue eyes thathe almost thought could see directly into his soul.
“You’re the guy who helped Max out,” she said.
“More I’m the guy who helped him out,” Max said. “Connor didninety percent of the work.”
Zoe looked between them, nodding in understanding. Connor wantedto protest, tell her how much Max had helped him, but that was a topic foranother day. She was bound to be tired, too, since she couldn’t have been outof surgery for more than a dozen hours.
Everyone was exhausted. Connor desperately wanted to drag Max homeand fall asleep curled up next to him.
“He’s also… my boyfriend? I think?” Max turned to look at him.
Connor’s heart swelled, his whole face lighting up.
Boyfriend.Boyfriend.
That was exactly what he wanted to hear right now.
“Boyfriend sounds good,” Connor said, squeezing Max’s hand.
“You look tired,” Max said.
“Thanks.” Connor snorted. “Just shower me with compliments.”
“You’re amazing,” Max said. “And I’ve never met anyone like you,and I doubt I ever will. But you need to sleep. I was thinking… you could gohome, and I could come over in a few hours, when mom gets here to switch placeswith me.”
“You can go now,” Zoe said. “I’ll be okay on my own.”
Max shook his head. “No. Connor is a grownup, he can live withoutme for a couple of hours. You, I’m not leaving.”
Connor smiled at that. Max’s dedication to his sister’s happinesswas one of the things he loved most about him. He wasn’t going to begrudge himthe need to watch over her.
