“That’s the point,” Mano replied, taking a sip. He lowered the bottle. “Hey, uh… what are you packing for Serifos? I have no idea what to bring.”
“You haven’t packed yet?”
“No clue what to take.”
“You want help?”
“Yeah, sure.”
They said goodbye to the others, grabbed their bags, and headed toward the bike. Mano took off his helmet and held it out to Ody.
Ody frowned. “What about you?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“No. You should wear it.”
Mano didn’t argue. He simply stepped closer and settled the helmet over Ody’s head before he could protest again.
Ody stared at him for a second, then climbed on behind him and wrapped his arms around Mano’s waist.
A short ride later, they stepped into Mano’s apartment, and he kicked off his shoes. “I’m taking a quick shower.”
“Okay. I’ll wait.”
A few minutes later, the bathroom door opened. Ody looked up and froze. Mano stepped out with only a towel around his hips, his wet hair pushed back from his face. Water slid down the lines of his chest and over the ink on his arms, the muscles beneath shifting with every step. Ody jerked his gaze forward again, pulse jumping.
“I’ve got the suitcase open. Come tell me what to pack,” Mano called from the bedroom.
Ody followed, his eyes drifting to Mano’s back. “Wow.”
Mano turned. “What?”
“It’s the first time I’ve actually seen where the wings tattoo starts.” Ody’s gaze traced the dark feathers spreading from Mano’s shoulder blade and flowing down his arm toward the elbow.
As Mano shifted, another tattoo came into view on the left side of his chest.
“Is that the one you told me about?” Ody asked.
“Yeah.”
“Roman numerals. What do they say?”
Mano swallowed. “The date when…” He didn’t finish, but Ody understood.
His eyes flicked to the silver cross hanging against Mano’s skin, the same one from the day they met.
“So, what should I pack?” Mano asked, turning back to the suitcase.
Ody stepped beside him. “Shirts, jeans, shorts, something nicer for the evenings, a jacket, swimwear…”
Mano opened his wardrobe and pulled out clothes at random.
“You’ll need trousers too. Sweatpants won’t work if we go out at night.”
Mano chuckled. “I need to dress up, right?”
Ody didn’t answer, and Mano laughed under his breath. He tossed a pair of trousers in.
