“Like what?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug, trying hard to sound casual enough to hide this aching need to know him better. “Tell me something about your childhood.”
“Mychildhood? You’re going straight for the kill, huh?” I giggle at his playful expression,and a new grin paints his face. “Want to dredge up all the old wounds right from the beginning. Just get it out of the way.” I laugh harder, and he chuckles with me before falling intosilence.
“Well, come on,” I say with my hand out, imploring him to continue. “Tell me something about how you grew up. Something that made youyou.”
I don’t know why I’m asking. Maybe I’m hoping he’ll tell me some horrible story, like his mom is a drunk or his dad is a deadbeat. Something that will soil him in the same way I am. A deep-rooted burden that he carries so I won’t be the only one. Then maybe I could justify my interest with the illusion that we’re somewhat equal.
“Okay, let me think, um…” He looks to the ceiling, and my mind gets stuck watching him again. “Well, my parents divorced when I was eleven. It wasn’t a crazy break up or anything, but…well, it was still kind of wild. It came out of nowhere. One day, my dad just packed up and moved to Chicago to start a new life—with his childhood best friend, mind you.”
“Ouch.”
“Yeah. Talk about an interesting turn of events. ‘Your dad is going to marry Aunt Leslie now, so we won’t be seeing them anymore.’ It really crushed me. Aunt Leslie was my favorite.”
“Wow, that’s…terrible. That had to be horrible losing your dad and your aunt like that. And for your mom…” I let out a breath. “I can't even imagine. Is that how she told you about it—your mom?”
“Yeah. She’s, uh… I used to think she was a little stoic with all her cold, straight-to-the-point advice, but…” He trails off, then exhales softly. “She also told me to never date a woman with a guy best friend. Said there’s always love there—one way or the other.”
My heart squeezes in my chest. “Do you think that’s true?”
He huffs out a breathy, humorless laugh, his eyes fixed on the napkin twisting between his fingers, but he doesn’t answer. Instead, he says, “I’ve actually never told anyone that before.”His gaze flickers up, vulnerability flashing so openly I have to force myself to stay still instead of reaching for him.
“Anyway,” he says quickly. “My mom moved to Connecticut shortly after my dad left. She’d come back to Jersey on the weekends, which was…fine, I guess. But I remember thinking the same thing every time.” He gives a small, crooked smile. “I just wished I had a dog.”
My throat tightens. “After everything that happened, all you wanted was a dog?”
“Yeah.” He shrugs, almost sheepishly. “I just thought… I didn’t have any siblings, and my parents moved away. Life was kind of lonely. A dog seemed cool. Someone to hang with all the time, waiting for me to come home. Like a best friend you get to live with—but more, you know? A fur-brother.”
His eyes beam, warm and unguarded with the sweetest grin. It carves itself into my heart. “Are you kidding me right now?”
“What?” His head tilts the slightest bit.
“You’re adorable.”
Wholesome.
Pure.
Exactly what I imagined him to be.
Not equal at all.
“Adorable?” His brows lift as he smiles wide. “I don’t think I’ve ever been called that before, but I’ll take it.”
“Trust me, it’s a compliment. You’re basically a walking green flag—and that?” I gesture between us. “That is full-on green-flag material.”
His deep, throaty chuckle vibrates against my skin.
“I’m serious,” I add. “Do women just throw themselves at your feet when you walk by, all hot and kind eyed and dog-loving and stuff?”
He laughs again, a fullreallaugh.
“Not usually, no,” he saysthrough chuckles.
“Well, I would,” I blurt.
His eyes widen, that same playful smile pulling at his mouth. “That so?”
