Jesse’s grin grew into a full-fledged smile. “Sky is in love with Clark, Sky is in love with Clark,” he started to sing, skipping around the room.
My heart dropped. “I’m not in love with him, and why are you five?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought for the first time ever in your life, you told me about a guy you’re sleeping with like it’s a big deal, when it’s never been a big deal before.”
“That doesn’t mean I love him. It’s because he’s a friend.”
“Okay.” Jesse shrugged. “Whatever you say.”
Why was I friends with him again?
28
Clark
“So you’re moving back to your place next week?” Gretchen asked from across the dining table, where the four of us—Gretchen, Hope, Skylar, and I—were all sitting, having dinner.
It was early Saturday night, and though Skylar had to work in a couple of hours, I whipped up some chicken Alfredo and invited my neighbors over to share it with us. During our Zumba class on Thursday, Gretchen had been telling me how excited she was that Hope would be home for a longer stretch, and how we were overdue for a night together.
“Yep,” Skylar said, then bit into his garlic bread and chewed thoughtfully. “The repairs took longer than expected, but they finally got it done, so everyone’s allowed to move back in.”
The idea made my stomach tilt uncomfortably. We’d had a week of blowjobs, grinding, kissing, and sleeping naked together. I’d been working up to asking if I could fuck him, but so far, I’d chickened out. I’d only done it once before and it had been a disaster, mostly because I knew my boyfriend at the time wasn’t really into it. But, maybe it was best we didn’t go there, since he was leaving and I had no clue what would become of this—us—afterward.
Skylar added, “I bet Clark will be glad to have his apartment back.”
My gut churned, and I wanted to protest. Instead, I made light of it. “I’m just really sad that I won’t have to pick up your socks anymore.”
“How dare you! I don’t leave socks around!” he scoffed, and I laughed because it was really cute when he acted outraged. It made me want to kiss him square on the lips, but I restrained myself.
“You sound like an old married couple,” Gretchen said, and my eyes flashed to hers.
Why did I like the sound of that? Abort! No stray thoughts allowed.
I noticed how Skylar’s cheeks colored pink even as he deflected. “Hey, who are you calling old?”
“You are a few months older than me,” I pointed out, then hopped up to grab more parmesan cheese.
Thankfully, the subject changed by the time I returned to my seat. Skylar must’ve asked Hope about the places she’d traveled for business, and she’d launched into an elaborate explanation, breaking it down by countries—and providing a welcome reprieve.
Besides, I knew what this was, and we needed to get back to some sort of friendship once all this was over. Admittedly, I’d had trouble concentrating the last few days while we carried on, because Christ, it was so hot and good.
But all good things eventually ended, and at some point Sky would tire of fooling around with just one person. Monogamy wasn’t his thing, or not with someone like me, who was pretty vanilla. Unfortunately, with each kiss and touch, my heart was starting to get in the mix and would likely be confused by the end. But I’d entered into this agreement willingly, I was an adult, and I would figure it out.
“What are you doing for Independence Day?” Gretchen asked. “Hope and I are invited to some fancy-schmancy gathering her friends are hosting.”
Speaking of fancy-schmancy festivities… “My parents throw a party in their backyard every year, since they have an amazing view of the fireworks going off in the bay.” It really was pretty, and this was the perfect segue for me to get up the nerve. “Actually, I was going to ask Skylar if he would be interested in coming.” I forced myself to meet his eyes, despite the possibility of seeing rejection there. Instead, there was surprise mixed with wariness.
He playfully knocked our shoulders together. “You sure your mom will be pulling out the welcome wagon for me?”
“It’ll be fine.” I gripped my fork. “She’ll be way too busy to pay us much attention anyway.”
And this time she wouldn’t have any new employee to fix me up with—Jasper and I had already made peace last time I ran into him at the office. But Mom had been pretty snippy with me since we’d had words in my lobby, and even more so after I turned up late for work the other day.
“Is that why you were late?” Mom asked as I smiled down at my phone.
I rolled my eyes. “I told you. I overslept.”
“You’ve never done that before.”
“Before what?” I bit out. “No, don’t answer that.”
“Your mom will come around,” Gretchen said, bringing me out of my thoughts. “Take it from Hope. Her parents didn’t approve of our relationship at first, but once they saw we were in it for the long haul, they were forced to accept it.”
Skylar pressed our legs together under the table, and my chest tightened. “Well, our friendship is definitely in it for the long haul.”
“Damn straight,” I said around a thick throat. “No one is gonna mess that up again.”
“Cheers to that,” Hope said, and we clinked glasses.
Afterward we cleared the dishes, Skylar turned on some music, and we had a dance party in the living room.
“Show me those Zumba moves,” Sky said, yanking me off the couch and into his arms.
And then I just went for it, swaying my hips as he held on to my waist. When he eyed me seductively, I figured I was doing a pretty good job, until he did this move that almost threw my back out, and we fell to the floor, laughing.
“Oooh, teach me,” Gretchen said, and then I watched and laughed my head off as she and Hope tried to mimic his movements—especially the one where he bent at the waist and placed his hands on the floor to twerk his butt. Holy shit, that view was something else.
But none of us could keep up. He was simply too fluid and graceful.
And sexy as hell…
Not long after that, Skylar got ready for work, then went out the door just as Hope and Gretchen were saying their goodbyes. As I cleaned up and rinsed the dishes, I felt strangely alone. Like a premonition of days to come. Christ, I was being dramatic.
Skylar and I would always be friends—he’d even declared that tonight—and I’d eventually date someone new and share my bed, and then it wouldn’t feel so quiet around here anymore.
When had I stopped enjoying the peace and tranquility of my own space?
Not to mention… My stomach revolted at the idea of anyone else sleeping between my sheets after having Skylar there every single night. Okay, sheesh, maybe I should take a long breather before jumping back on the dating apps.
After clicking restlessly through the channels, then trying to read a book, I decided I needed to get the hell out of my apartment. As I changed into tighter jeans, rolled my cuffs to the elbows, and slipped on my funky red frames, I knew exactly what I was doing, even if I didn’t truly admit it to myself until I was sitting in my car. My hands were trembling on the wheel, which was ridiculous. But I’d never gone to a gay club by myself, so for me, this was huge. Taking a deep breath, I started the car.