“I hadn’t ever really imagined what life would be like for me once I finished school. I figured I’d keep working, keep taking care of my mom, and maybe, maybe at some point, I’d find someone. But I’d never really given it more than a fleeting thought. I’ve never even had a crush on a boy.”
I look over at him; he’s been quiet while I’ve been talking. I know he’s listening sincehis eyes are locked on me. “Then you guys came along, and I could barely think straight when you were in the same room with me. Being with you guys was more than I ever dreamed of, but being with all of you…” I pause, trying to come up with the words that canactuallyconvey how I’m feeling.
“In here, it feels so right.” I cross my arm over my chest and gather the material over my heart. “But up here,” I use my other hand to point up at my head, “it feels like I’m taking advantage of you guys. My brain tells me it’s not fair, that there’s nothing I’ve ever done to deserve all of you, while the only thing you getin returnis me.”
Milo closes the distance between us in an instant. It happens so fast, my elbow bumps into his chest. Using his right arm, he pulls me into him, my head nestling under his chin. I feel his chest expand as Milo takes a deep breath. “I will havetopolitely disagree with your head on this one, sweetheart.” I feel his morning stubble pull through my hair as he turns his head.
“None of us would change it, I want you to know that, even if there wassomeway to do it. Not one of us would. There could never be a better match for us, and I’m lucky to be part of your Infinity,” Milo tells me, his voice soft, calm. I wrap my arm around his back and accept the nearness he’s offering. Holding onto Milois different than the others. He’s bulkier than even Ares, notquiteas tall but bigger, sturdier. There’s no softness to him as I lean my head against his chest.
Milo clears his throat and pulls back from me, so I tilt my head to look up at his angled jaw. “I uh… I, you’re right about me keeping my distance too. And it wasn’t just because I wanted to give you time to adjust,” he admits reluctantly.
I scrunch my brows together. “Oh?” I don’t really know what else to say. I sit up a little more and my hand trails over the curve of his back as I do.
“I don’t have a lot of experience with,” Milo pauses, seeming to think of what to say next, “relationships either.” He doesn’t meet my eyes.
“So, you didn’t date much?” I can’t filter out the hopeful note in my voice.
Milo runs a hand over his hair. This close to him I can see all the blond highlights that run through his ashy brown locks.
“Well, I’m best friends with Ollie and Dante so…” The sentence hangs, but I think I know what he’s getting at.
“So, you have dated a lot?”
“Dated, I guess you could say I dated, or hung out with a few people. But I’ve never. I haven’t. You know… because my ability. I was afraid I would hurt someone. Lose control and hurt someone.” Milo’s face flashes bright red, and heat rushes to mine.
“I see,” I say awkwardly and wince. How do I respond to that? He’s telling me he’s a virgin.
Milo rocks his head on his neck again. “I mean, I’m telling you because I’ve been afraid of being alone with you.” He sounds defensive, but I think he’s more embarrassed than anything. His shoulders go up as his chin drops closer to his chest.
Reaching over to grab one of his hands, I lace my fingers with his. “Just so you know, me neither, not because Iwas worried about abilities or anything. Inever wanted to before.” I bump my shoulder against Milo’s. I’ve never asked the others, I’dactuallyassumed all of them had… done stuff before. Knowing Milo hasn’t causes a gleeful smile to quirk my lips, and I don’teven try tohide it.
Chapter 6
“Both of you guys are staying?” I look between Milo and Ollie.
“Nothing better to do,” Ollie offers, snagging my hand as he tows me through the door to the diner. I glance at Milo over my shoulder, making sure he’s following. After our talk this morning I feel a new closeness to himthatI can’t deny I was missing.He’s right behind us, only a step or two away.
I walk forward so Ollie isn’t dragging me so much anymore. The first door opens, and he ushers me through. I grab the handle of the second, but Milo’s hand covers mine. I look up to find him right beside me, his eyes gentle as he watches me.
“Thank you,” I mutter to the both of them, a little flustered under Milo’s new attentiveness. Ollie chuckles like he knows exactly what I’m thinking.
“Laura, I am so glad to see you,” Maggie calls out in greetingbefore turning to the guys. “Milo where have you beenboy? It’s been ages!”
“Not really Gran, just under a week,” he counters, but wraps his arms around the robust woman anyway.
“Oliver, I haven’t seen you all week either.” Maggie’s eyebrows raise.
“We’ve been eating at home more,” Ollie admits, clapping and rubbing his hands together, while sucking air through his teeth. “But I’m ready for some of Gus’s famous greasy diner gourmet, what ya got for me?”
Maggie tsks, but she can’t hide the tilt of her lips. “You want food, you had better get to work first. I ain’t feeding you for free boy.” She looks down the edge of her nose at him, even though he’s taller than her. “You eat nearly as much as Dante.” Her words couldbe insulting, but we all know they’re not.
Ollie smooths his hand over his flat abdomen and gives her an unrepentant grin. “Put me to work, cause I came prepared to eat.”
* * *
The day passes by quickly, and before I know it, it’s early evening. The diner crowd is subdued, comprised mostly of older couples and small families. I haven’t made a ton in tips with Ollie taking half the tables, but I don’t really need the money anymore either, so it doesn’t bother me.
True to his word, Ollie came hungry. He hasn’t had a proper sit-down lunch or dinner, none of us have, but he’s eaten enough to fill at least three plates.
