“I want—I want a lot.”
“Me too.”
They went quiet until Bryce murmured, “I like being here with you. Like this.”
Sage kissed Bryce’s head. “Yeah. It feels…right.”
“But a little strange.” Bryce chuckled. “We’re both so used to women, but this is right between us.”
“It is.”
Sage felt Bryce’s breathing even out against his palm. He let the day drain away and kept the part he wanted—Bryce’s face when he’d saidplease.
Sage closed his eyes. “Night.”
Bryce answered without lifting his head. “Night.”
Chapter Thirteen
Layla picked the table by the window like she always did. She was early. Bryce was on time, but he still felt late. Bryce pushed inside and waved when she looked up and saw him. He moved through the crowd until he arrived at the table.
“Hey,” he said.
“Hey.” She stood as if she might hug him, then decided not to and sat back down. “You look good.”
“You too.”
He sat down and watched steam come from her drink. He decided not to order in case this conversation took a nasty turn. He wasn’t sure how Layla was going to react to the news of him and Sage, even when she was the one who ended their relationship.
Layla watched the door for a few seconds, then sighed and looked at him straight on. “I’ve been hearing things.”
Bryce nodded. “Okay.”
“About you,” she said. “And Sage.”
He looked and held her gaze. “Yeah.”
Her mouth pressed into a line. “So, it’s true,” she murmured.
“It is.”
Layla shifted in her chair before asking, “For how long?”
“Not long,” he said. “We’re figuring it out.”
She nodded. “I didn’t want to text. Things can get weird in texts, you know. You mean one thing, but sometimes it doesn’t come across the way you actually mean it.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean, and I’m glad you called.”
“I was going to ask if you were okay,” she said. “But you look okay.”
“I am.” Bryce meant it. “You?”
“I’m fine.” Layla glanced down at the table, then back up. “I’m not mad.”
“Why would you be mad? This between me and Sage happened after we broke up.”
“I’m not hurt either,” she added. “We were done.”
