He hadn’t realized howmuchhe’d missed it until he had a taste of it again.
Dammit.
That crush really hadn’t ever gone away. Mike had been Ezra’s first boy crush, and apparently, even after all this time, that still meant something to him.
It was like going back in time four years. Like he was just waiting for Mike to leave all over again.
“It’s not fine,” Mike said. “I’ve wanted to apologize for years. That’s part of why I came in today, actually. I wasn’t sure you’d be here, but...”
“Apology accepted.” Ezra shrugged. “Friends again?”
He knew better than to think they could just instantly go back to being as close as they once were, but it was nice to have him back for a little while all the same. Maybe they’d stay in touch this time.
“Friends again,” Mike agreed. “You don’t know what a relief that is to hear. And I’ll try to earn it this time.”
“You’ve earned my friendship a hundred times over,” Ezra said. “You’re allowed a mistake or two. What was the other reason?”
“Other reason?” Mike asked, frowning.
“For coming here. You said this was part of it, so there’s gotta be another part. And I’m guessing it wasn’t that you woke up this morning with an incredible urge to be attacked by a kestrel.”
“Oh, right. Jeez. Took me like thirty seconds to forget, huh?” Mike smiled wryly. “I read on the internet that it was polite to send wedding gifts early, and I didn’t wanna trust the postal service with what I’ve got for Oscar. I found an old photo album with all of us in it from… wow, I guess my first Christmas here. I wanted him to have it. Reminder of how loved he is.”
Ezra felt his whole face light up. “That’s so thoughtful,” he said, imagining what kinds of old photos Mike might have of all of them. Oscar would probably show them to him sometime.
“Yeah, well, I’ve never met Ryan so I don’t know what he’d like. But I think the photos mostly belong to Oscar, anyway. You think it’s a good idea?”
“I think it’s a great idea,” Ezra said, sure Oscar would feel the same way. He and Ryan didn’t reallyneedanything—they were happy as long as they had each other—but Mike had still managed to come up with something that they’dbothlove. Ryan would have enjoyed seeing old photos of all of them. Especially Oscar.
Especially Oscar’shairfrom six years ago. Ezra grinned at the thought of the dark curls that had been brushing Oscar’s shoulders back then, before he’d finally cut it short.
“Good, because I wasn’t sure about it until now,” Mike said. “You were always better at this stuff than me, so I’ll assume it’s fine. Just gotta worry about the wedding now. And the bachelor party.”
“At least you won’t be theonlyone without a date. Although Oscar promised me that the groomsmen normally get laid, so…”
Mike snorted. “Ryan hasn’t got a sister or something, does he?”
“No,” Ezra said. “Nolan does, but I’ve been told she’s hands-off, and I’m pretty sure she’s not invited, anyway.”
“Nolan?” Mike asked.
“Finn’s boyfriend. Fiancé, actually. Wow.” He paused to laugh, playing with his coffee cup on the table. “Everyone’s getting married but me.”
“Always the bridesmaid,” Mike teased, a smile playing around his lips. The way Mike smiled had always been enough to make Ezra’s stomach fill with butterflies.
“Hey.” Ezra sipped his coffee. “I could pull off a bridesmaid dress.”
“Only if you figure out the zipper first,” Mike said, the smile on his face widening. “Instead of getting it caught around her shoulders.”
Ezra blushed. “That wasonetime. Dresses are complicated.”
“Uh huh.” Mike’s smile turned into a grin, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Damn.
He really hadn’t changed.
“Y’know, if you’rethatworried about finding a date, I’m young, free, and single,” Ezra joked. “Wouldn’t mind hanging out with you for the day.”
