You, with a View

by Jessica Joyce

At this, Theo’s eyebrow quirks up. Even after years apart, I know his I’m about to be an asshole tell. “Was my face fresh in your memory, Shep? Been staring at my LinkedIn profile picture every night?” “Please don’t project your fantasies onto me.”

“You’re not supposed to like that,” he growls out, frustrated, his gaze tracing my face like a touch. Somehow his shirt has made its way into my fists. “Why did you say it, then?” His gaze flickers up from my mouth. “Because I was trying to be an asshole.” “You don’t have to try.”

“I wouldn’t stop you if you kissed me right now.” I say it quietly in case he changes his mind, but his eyes darken, pupils dilating. He doesn’t move, though his mouth parts like he can already taste it. “Now you.” His breath dances over my lips. “If I kissed you right now, I wouldn’t stop.”

“When you wear your hair up, I can’t stop looking right here,” he whispers against my skin. Another secret revealed, and I didn’t even have to ask. “You’ve never caught me?” “No,” I moan. “Why are you messing with me right now?” “Not messing, Shepard.” His nose skims along my cheek until his mouth is millimeters from mine. “Let’s call it playing. Isn’t that what we’ve always done with each other?”

“Oh,” Paul continues, the smile clear in his voice, “and don’t worry, Teddy. I’ll make your eggs over easy the way you like them.”

THIS MADE ME LAUGH OUT SO LOUD I MEAN THIS MAN IS WISEEEE WITH TIME AND HE NO DUMB

“He trusts you. He doesn’t trust that what you have won’t be taken away from him.” He shakes his head. “If this is worth it to you, Noelle, then be patient with our boy. It takes him three times as long to admit to his own happiness because he never knew he was allowed to have it.”