Page 37 of We Are Just Us

“Far enough,” Rory said. “But close enough for emergency babysitting.”

Kieran laughed. “You seem good with her.”

“She’s easy,” Rory said. “Honest. No filter. I appreciate that.”

“Sounds like a relief after dealing with adults all day.”

Rory glanced over briefly. Nodded.

They drove another block, the truck slowing down as their street sign appeared ahead. Then came the familiar urge to minimize, to make the moment smaller so it wouldn’t hurt when it ended. He pushed against it, gripping the edge of his seat cushion.

“I had a good time today,” he said.

Rory turned the steering wheel, easing the truck into the driveway. He killed the engine, and the sudden quiet in the cab made the space between them shrink. “Me too.”

“Even the...wellness portion?”

Rory laughed, leaning back against his headrest. “Especially that.”

For a second, neither of them moved to open their doors. The truck was already starting to warm up without the air moving through the windows.

“I’ve got aloe,” Rory said, gesturing vaguely toward his house. “In the fridge. For when you inevitably turn into a lobster.”

Kieran smiled, his hand finally reaching for the handle. “Of course you do.”

“Door’s open if you need it.”

“I’ll probably take you up on that,” Kieran said, popping the latch and stepping out into the bright afternoon.

Rory leaned across the console, looking out the open passenger window. “You writing about this?”

“No comment,” Kieran said, leaning his arms on the doorframe.

Rory grinned. “That’s a yes.”

“See you around.” Kieran shut the door and was halfway up his driveway when Rory called after him.

“Hey! I’m slammed with meetings the next couple of days,” Rory said, standing by the driver’s side, his keys jingling in his hand. “But if you’re around Tuesday night, a few of us are doing tacos and drinks. You should come.”

Kieran turned back. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Rory said, resting a hand on the roof of his truck. “Just some friends. Meg’ll be there too.”

“Cool,” Kieran said, his heart doing a small, uninvited flip. “I’ll think about it.”

“You do that,” Rory said with a final nod, turning to head up his own walkway.

Kieran headed inside, his skin still radiating warmth, feeling mildly annoyed by how easily Rory could throw him off balance.

Taco Tuesday just became a possibility.

TWELVE

Honestly? San Diego: I Went to a Nude Beach and Lived to Tell About It

By Kieran Doyle

Look, I’m not saying I’ve made questionable decisions since moving to Encinitas, but I am saying that yesterday I found myself stark naked on a public beach, legs spread toward the sky, while a stranger explained the alleged health benefits of “perineum sunning.”