Dell shrugged.
“Haven’t opened it since I connected with Luca. But when you live in Greyfin Bay and are searching for queer friendly options? Yeah, apps can be pretty helpful, Mae. Although even the apps…” Dell trailed off, staring at the door frame across the room. “You have to be careful.”
Mae sobered. “Yeah.”
But she was back a second later. “Okay, so show me the profile picture, then.” And she flopped back onto the bed, snuggling her head into the crook of his shoulder.
Dell only really processed it then. That Mae’s grapefruit scent was going to be embedded into his sheets.
With a half-hearted grumble, he leaned over the side of the bed to retrieve his phone from his discarded jeans.
Mae snuggled her chin right back into position when he returned.
Swiping open the app for the first time in two years, he found Luca’s profile in his history and handed over the phone.
Mae lifted her chin with a gasp.
“Ohmylanta. Dell!” She smacked him on the arm again before settling back against the pillows with his phone. “Good foryou.”
Dell plucked his phone away, chucking it onto the side table.
Mae turned back on her side, facing him.
A second ticked by before she asked, “Does anyone know about Luca? Other than Liv?”
He shook his head.
“Does anyone know anything about you? Other than Liv?”
He took a second before he turned his head. “Only you,” he said.
Mae met his gaze, eyes soft again, before turning half her face into the pillow.
“The way I want to wreck you right now,” she muttered. Dell tore his eyes away, taking a long, deep breath.
“I’m not going to touch you again,” he said slowly, “until I talk to Luca.”
“I know,” she whispered. “I won’t touch you. I mean—” She blew a breath into the pillow. “I’ve probably already touched you too much this morning; it’s just…we’re in your bed and you’re over there looking all cuddleable and shirtless—” She briefly smothered her entire face into the pillow to release a scream. “But I’ll be good! From here on out. I promise.”
“I get it.” Dell smiled back toward the ceiling. “Believe me, I get it. I…have made some unfortunate life choices.” And then, his smile sliding away: “I hope it wasn’t too inappropriate, last night when we got here, to ask you to stay. I’m sorry if?—”
“No.” Mae cut him off. “No, I know there was nothing sexual about last night. And I wasn’t uncomfortable being here. I’m glad you asked.”
Dell exhaled. “Mae. How are you so…understanding.”
He felt her stare, burning on the side of his face.
“Maybe I’m just old enough now,” she said, “to trust my instincts. Or maybe…I just trust you.” A pause. “Even if you still need to sell me my fucking store.”
Dell’s mouth twitched.
“In seriousness, though, Dell,” Mae continued before he could reply, before he could tell her she was right, “think about what you want. Take your time with it. Talk to Luca. Realistically, I imagine it would just be a hinge type situation.”
“Hinge?”
Mae shifted onto her back and held her hands in front of her in a V.
“Me.” She wiggled one set of fingers. “Luca.” And the other. Then she tapped her palms together. “You. You’re the hinge.”
