Felix’s brows rose. “What was that like?”
“Disgusting.” I wrinkled my nose at the memory. “But everyone in town had to try it once to seehowdisgusting. If it’d been a marketing ploy, it would’ve been really clever. I don’t think it was, though. I think he was just experimenting.”
Felix pursed his lips but his eyes were glinting again. “He sounds fun.”
“He is, I think. I’m still getting to know people. Honestly, I’m glad you came to town. Means I’m not the new guy anymore.”
Felix huffed, turning back to looking up at the ceiling. “I haven’t been the new guy in a really long time, but so far it’s been pretty good. Dinner invitations, coffee…”
“Some of the best sex of your life?” I asked, another rush of heat rising up the back of my neck.
The corners of Felix’s eyes crinkled as he smiled up at the ceiling. “You did hear that, then.”
“I heard it. I… last night…”
What could I even say about it? I’d spent all day worrying I’d done the wrong thing, but in the last half hour all three of the most important people in my life had told me they still loved me, in their own ways. Two of them had told me to do it again. Benji would’ve joined in if he was old enough to understand what was going on. He adored Felix.
If I’d told him I’d been hanging out with him, he would’ve asked to join in. The thought made me snort.
Felix turned a questioning look on me.
“Sorry, just imagining telling Benji I was having a sleepover with you,” I said. “He’d be mad he wasn’t invited.”
“He’s adorable. You’re doing great with him, seriously.”
“It’s mostly not me,” I said. If Benji was a good kid, that was ninety-nine percent Laura’s doing.
“It’s you now. That’s what matters.”
Was it?
Maybe. I hoped, at least, that it mattered that I was trying. All I wanted was for Benji to be okay, to feel like he had all the support in the world. To feel loved.
“Well, he likes you a lot.”
“Feeling’s mutual,” Felix said. “What’s in the box?”
“Brace yourself,” I responded, reaching out to open up the lid.
Felix’s mouth fell into a perfect O as I opened the box to reveal the pastries inside.
“Mom’s key lime pies arefamousaround here,” I said. “You haven’t lived until you’ve tried one.”
Felix’s gaze flicked from the pies to my face. There was something complicated playing out behind his eyes, and I had an idea what the shape of it was.
I was beginning to think I wouldn’t like his ex. In fact, I was beginning to think I’d square up with him on Felix’s behalf.
The wounded sound Felix made, the way his eyes crumpled with uncertainty, convinced me that it was better for everyone involved if his ex and I never crossed paths.
“If you’re gonna say something likeI don’t know if I should, save it,” I said. “You should. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. There are people who would do terrible things for these. I once watched one of the PTA moms draw blood over them at a meeting when I was in high school.”
Felix looked at me. The look in his eyes changed to something softer—it reminded me of when Benji did something he thought he’d get in trouble for, before I’d told him it was fine, I wasn’t mad at him.
“Or I’ll eat them both,” I said, taking the one I felt had slightly less white chocolate on it. Felix could use all the pleasure he could get.
I wanted to be a source of pleasure for him. The thought came to me fully formed as I watched him reach out with much more elegant fingers than mine to pick the pie up.
I grinned at him when he glanced at me. His lips twitched in response, which was good enough. Baby steps.
