Eli butted in, turning his head to glare atRoman. “He’s hiding what he likes from his date.” Then the death glare focusedback on me. “And I don’t think you should go in there looking all vanilla.”
Roman chuckled. “Isn’t that his decision?” ThenRoman focused on me. “The tattooed guy from the coffee shop, right?”
I nodded. “Yes, and he’s already had todeal with a lot; I’m not even sure if he’s dated a guy before.”
“If he’s already dealing with a lot, then Ican understand why you’re being cautious.” Roman leaned in and kissed Eli’scheek. “You, my brat, have to let him handle things in his own way. If hestarts changing who he is and becoming some kind of little Stepford boyfriend,then you may butt in all you like. Does that work?” Barely suppressed laughterflickered through Roman’s eyes.
I shrugged. “Works for me.”
I wasn’t planning on becoming someone else.I stalked him, but I wasn’t obsessed with him.
There was a difference.
If Wilder couldn’t accept the fact that Iwas a guy, or that I had some feminine things in my closet and a lot offeminine things in my drawers, then we just weren’t right for each other. I wasgoing to give him a chance to figure that out, though.
Eli grumbled, clearly not excited about thedeal, but eventually, he nodded. “All right, but you have to call me tomorrowand tell me how it went. And you can’t wait a dozen dates into the relationshipto let him know about everything else. It’s not fair to you or to him, and youdon’t want to give me an ulcer.”
“And then I’ll have to give you a redbottom while you’re locked up in the cage, because you’ll be driving everybodyinsane.” Roman chuckled and glanced at me. “So you’ll be doing everyone a favorif you don’t wait too long.”
No one at the company knew what the wordboundariesmeant. “I think you would be the only one happy in that scenario. But allright, as soon as there’s an opening in the conversation I’ll discuss it withhim. I’m not an idiot. I don’t want to get too attached to a guy who will neverfit into my life.”
So I was a bit of an idiot, because I’dbeen mildly obsessed with a guy who I thought was probably straight. And whocould very well end up walking away because hewasstraight and curious.But I wasn’t so lost that I would become someone else for him.
****
Kiss on thecheek…hug…handshake. Even as I got out of the car and started walking towardthe building, I couldn’t decide the best way to greet Wilder.
I was clearly overthinking it.
Part of me was hoping he would be late so I’dhave a few minutes to compose myself. But of course, he was right on time. As Imade my way to the door, I saw Wilder walking from the other side of theparking lot to the front of the building. He hadn’t noticed me yet, so I took aminute to just watch him.
Yeah, I was a stalker.
He was dressed very similarly to me. Jeansand a button-down shirt, but were mine were tight and fitted to show off aleaner frame, his were tight because of his muscles. The cuffs on his sleeveswere rolled up, showing off his forearms.
Part of me wished he’d worn another T-shirtso I could see his biceps and the tattoos that wrapped around them. Had hedressed up for the date, or had he made a deliberate choice to cover them? Iwasn’t sure. There was a good chance we were both trying to downplay anythingdifferent about ourselves to make the other person more comfortable.
He seemed to be talking to himself as hemade his way through the parked cars. A last-minute pep talk? Maybe talking outlast-minute nerves about going on a date with a man? No matter what, it made mefeel less worried.
When Wilder finally saw me, he smiled andstarted walking faster. “Hey, how was the photo shoot?”
I relaxed at the easy question. “Great, notmuch drama and I think the pictures will turn out good.”
Wilder laughed as he closed the last fewyards. “So does that mean drama is a usual occurrence?”
I nodded, chuckling. “Absolutely. When youget that many artistic types together in one room, it can go badly.”
Especially with Eli and Roman in the same space.
Wilder stepped closer and his arms widened,clearly going for a hug. Relief flooded through me to have the decision out ofmy hands, and I gave him a quick hug in return. It wasn’t as awkward as I’dbeen fearing, and as he pulled away, I wanted to curl back against him.
His arms felt solid around me and the warmstrength of his body was perfect. As he stepped back, he grinned and gave me ateasing smile. “Was I the only one overthinking that?”
Laughing, I shook my head. “No, I didn’twant to do anything to make you uncomfortable.”
“I get that, but I don’t want you to worryabout how I’ll respond. If something makes me uncomfortable, I’ll let you know.But really, I don’t think it’s going to be as…different as I thought it might.”
Chuckling, I couldn’t resist teasing him.“I’m not suredifferentwas what you meant to say. How about weird, orstrange, or freaky? I think those were probably closer to what was goingthrough your head.”
