“Thanks.”
When Stone was walking around the island, Nico found himself admiring how the man moved. He still had that swagger that Nico had admired when he was a teenager. The guy carried himself like he was completely comfortable in his own skin. But why wouldn’t he? From what he could tell, Stone accepted who he was, faults and all. Another thing Nico had admired about him back in the day.
“Thought we’d watch a movie after,” Stone said when he returned with a second plate.
“What’d you have in mind?” he asked, wanting to contribute something to the conversation.
“Depends on your mood.”
Nico’s gaze slid up to meet Stone’s. That damn smirk was plastered on his face.
“You have any musicals?”
Stone barked a laugh. “Not on hand, but I’m sure we could find somethin’. If you’re really into musicals.”
“I’m not,” he admitted, chuckling. “Just wanted to see your reaction.”
“Baby, if you wanna watch a musical, I’m all for it.”
Baby?No one had ever called him that before. His ex-fiancée had called himhoney,but it never sounded like that. As though the words were an actual sex act.
“You mentioned your sister earlier,” Stone said as he began cutting his steak. “How’s she doin’? You said they moved to California. For work?”
Nico nodded. “Adam got a job at Primal Instincts.”
Stone’s fork paused near his mouth. “They make workout equipment, right? Those exercise bikes everyone’s goin’ crazy for?”
“Yeah. He’s some kind of computer whiz. Coding and shit.”
“So he moved to California to do it?”
Nico nodded, chewed. “Niyah’s always wanted to move outta Texas. And accordin’ to Adam, the amount of money they’re payin’ him is insane. Why wouldn’t they?”
“What about you? You ever had the desire to move halfway across the country?”
“No.” Nico reached for his wineglass. “I prefer the devil I know.”
Stone smirked again, and Nico realized how that sounded.
Thankfully, Stone didn’t call him on it.
The rest of the meal went like that: small talk that never ventured into anything too deep or meaningful. Two old friends catching up, but neither bringing up a subject that might cast a light on their history together.
It probably should’ve been awkward, but Nico felt comfortable with Stone. The guy was one of those people who could weed out your deepest, darkest secret before you even realized you were telling him all the sordid details. He was easy to talk to.
Probably a littletooeasy, which was how Nico found himself staring at Stone, attempting to process the question he’d just asked:Have you ever been in a serious relationship with a man?
“I didn’t mean for it to be difficult,” Stone said with a chuckle as he pushed his empty plate away and poured more wine into his glass.
“No, it’s um…” Nico shook off the surprise and shook his head. “No, I haven’t.”
“Because that’s not your preference? Or because the opportunity didn’t arise?”
Nico reached for his wineglass and downed what was left, then held it out when Stone reached for the bottle.
“Didn’t arise,” he said, watching as Stone poured the rest of the wine into his glass.
“Prefer a safer topic?” Stone asked, sounding as though he was thoroughly enjoying Nico’s discomfort.
