Page 51 of Toren

“For a snack.”

“Do you want me to heat you up some leftovers?” he asked.

Andrew finished his water and set the glass in the sink. “Weird way to talk about jerking off, but sure.”

Toren laughed, shaking his head and opening the fridge. “We have pizza.”

“Better cold anyway,” Andrew said, reaching past him for the white cardboard box.

Toren moved out of the way while Andrew devoured two slices from the night before, not even bothering to reheat them.

“Is work stressful?” Toren asked. “You normally only sneak out for a quickie if you’re annoyed with your boss.”

“Can’t a man just want to fuck his boyfriend in the middle of the day?” Andrew countered.

“I’m not complaining.”

“I have to be honest,” Andrew said around a mouthful of crust. “I really love that you work from home most of the time.”

“You say that now, but who knows if you’ll still feel that way when I’m fully moved in.” The art room was a mess and Andrew had made room for Toren to set up a desk, but the space was going to be cramped. “What if you’re trying to paint and I need to work?”

“Then I’ll paint naked, obviously.”

Toren made a dismissive noise in the back of his throat.

Andrew ate the last of his pizza and brushed the crumbs off before walking right into Toren’s waiting arms.

“I don’t know how it works,” Andrew told him. “But I can’t wait to find out.”

Toren’s heart slammed against his ribs, and he kissed the top of Andrew’s nose. “Me too,” he agreed.

“I have to get back to the office. Will you…” Andrew stopped himself, snapping his mouth closed.

“Will I what?”

“I was going to ask if you would be here when I got home, but of course you will be.” Andrew smiled at him softly, if not a little love-drunk.

“I’ll be here,” he promised.

“Good. Just make sure my boyfriend doesn’t catch you.”

Toren hummed, nodding dramatically in agreement. “We can’t have that.”

“He would be furious to know I’m still sleeping with you.”

“I bet.”

Andrew kissed him again, hard against the mouth, then adjusted his clothes and put enough space between them that he was closer to the front door than he was to Toren.

“I love you,” Toren said.

Andrew’s cheeks blushed. “I love you too.”

Toren watched as Andrew grabbed his keys from the bowl and slipped out the front door. His knees got a little weak once he was alone, and since no one was there to watch, he sank down on his ass in the middle of the floor and stretched his legs out in front of him.

Life was such a curious thing sometimes. Three years ago, even when his brother was alive, Toren would have never imagined himself with a man like Andrew. He never would have pictured himself living near the beach, willingly sharing his life with another person. Grief was a horrible weight on his shoulders that some days made it impossible to walk, but he had more good days than bad.

He was grateful Donovan had convinced him to reconnect with Riggs, because if not for that touchpoint, Toren wouldn’t have been at the art show, he wouldn’t have met Andrew, he wouldn’t have this life for himself now. He’d be happy, sure, in fits and spurts, but he wouldn’t know this all-consuming excitement that Andrew had so unwittingly brought into his life.