My speech is louder than I intended it to be, or maybe it’s that Drip has gone inordinately silent, except for the jingle of the bell on the door a few minutes ago. I hope this new customer wasn’t offended by my tirade. But even if they were, I can’t bring myself to care. My words were true, and I needed to say them.
I’m jolted out of my own thoughts by a noise at the register. I turn to see if Mel needs my help, but I don’t see an angry customer or even a long line.
I only see the man I love.
* * *
Booker
I still love him.
I never stopped, and I doubt I ever will.
So when Ian texts and says he wants to talk, I hop off the treadmill, shower as fast as I can, and haul my butt across campus to Drip.
I have no chill, but I don’t care. I’m sure I should be playing hard to get. Or at least not easy to get. But I miss him so much that I can’t bring myself to play games.
I’m cresting the hill by the library when I see a familiar figure walk into the coffee shop. Shit. Some circumstances call for cuss words, as I’ve told Ian, and this is surely one of them.
I will not let my dad disrupt Ian’s work day or any other part of his day. I know that’s part of the issue. That Ian’s the protector, and that he has a hard time letting anyone take care of him. I don’t need to be a psych major to know that much. But no matter what, I’m not letting my dad spew his hate at Ian.
I step inside Drip and scan the shop to see my dad, his face red and angry, squaring off with Ian.
Or, more accurately, getting read by Ian.
The shop is quiet as Ian finishes, and though all of the words he’s said make my heart soar, the most important ones come out of my mouth as I round the corner and step past Mel. “You love me?”
He turns and his cheeks flush as he realizes what’s happening. “Booker, what are you…you can’t be back here.”
“You forget. I work here now. Besides, my boyfriend just said he loves me, and that’s cause for bending the rules.”
“I do. So much. More than I ever thought possible. And I hurt you. And I’m sorry. And, if you’ll let me, I’ll never—”
I stop his words with a kiss. I want to hear every word he has to say, but I need to taste him. To hold him. To know that he’s real. And that he’s mine.
The bell jingles, and I’m guessing my dad has stormed off, but I don’t care. The only thing I care about is the man in my arms. I could stay like this forever.
But Mel has other ideas. She coughs loudly and, reluctantly, I pull back.
Mel smiles at us. “Boss man, I’m cutting you early. I’ve got someone to cover your shift.”
“For the love of God, tell me it’s not Booker,” he says, holding on to both of my hands with both of his.
The bell jingles again, and Theo walks in. “I’m covering your shift, Ian. So get out of here.”
“Thank Christ,” my boyfriend says, untying his apron.“I’m saving myself the trouble of calling in tomorrow. Mel, I’m sick. It’s contagious. Booker will have it by morning. Neither one of us is leaving his room for at least twenty-four hours.”
She smiles broadly. “Got it. Feel better, you two.”
Ian stops in the back to grab his bag and it only takes thirty seconds, but I miss the feel of his skin on mine.
“Did you drive?” he asks as we leave Drip.
“No, I got this text message from my boyfriend, and um, kind of ran here like my butt was on fire.”
“Your boyfriend?” he asks. “You’ve said those words twice now, and—”
“And I meant them.” I stop and turn toward him. “If what you said back there is true, if I’m what you want? Then I’m yours. I always have been.”
