I hurry down the hall to the bathroom and take the quickest shower of my life, brush my teeth, and run some gel through my hair. I throw on a pair of jeans and a clean white t-shirt, then nearly jump out of my skin when I hear the knock on the door. When I come out, Bishop is standing near the door, holding a bag, and talking with Trin.
His eyes shift past her to me and he graces me with a stunning smile. “Hey, Tristan.”
I walk over to him, hug him, and kiss his cheek. “Hi.”
“Okay, boys,” Trin says. “See you. Call me when you can, Trist.”
“You’re leaving?” Bishop asks.
“Yep. We were wrapping up anyway. Good to see you.”
“You too.” Trinity leaves and Bishop turns to face me. “I brought some wine.”
“What are you doing here? This is amazing.”
Bishop sets the bag down on the dining table. “I woke up this morning, and thought I have questions that I can’t answer sitting here in my condo. I could only answer them by seeing you again. So I got in my car, and I just drove here. I hope it’s okay I didn’t call first.”
“More than okay. What questions?”
He fixes his eyes on me, stepping closer as he holds my gaze. His hair is longer than it was last time, and it’s so thick, it’s just perfectly styled. He’s dressed in a black t-shirt, jeans, and black boots. I want to touch him, but I’m dying to know why he’s here.
“I wanted to know what we’re like together when we’re not hiding. When we’re not in bed. When we’re just being us. I need to know if there’s more here than lust.”
I can barely swallow as a lump of emotion crowds my throat. “There is, Bishop. So much more.” I step closer. “But you don’t know yet?”
“Someone told me…” He pauses, taking my hand in his. “Someone told me I wouldn’t recognize love if it was handed to me. I’m not sure that’s true, but I’m not sure it’s not.”
“What are you saying?”
“I came here to spend the night with you, but I want to talk, and have dinner, and just hang out. I want to take whatever it is you’re handing me, but I want to give too.”
“You do give. Please don’t believe that you don’t.”
“Can we do that, Tristan? Can I just hang out with you?”
“Absolutely.”
He nods. “Good.” He leans in and kisses me softly, but I can feel the restraint in his lips. I press into him, but he pulls back. “Just hang out, babe.”
“Right.” I glance around. “My humble abode.”
“It’s nice enough. Good area.”
“Yeah, I can walk everywhere.”
“You look really good. Working out still?”
I nod. “Gotta stay hot to keep up with you.”
Bishop chuckles. “I’ll open the wine.”
“I’ll get glasses.”
As I open the kitchen cabinet searching for wine glasses, I’m in disbelief he’s really here. He came to see me. A smile tugs at my lips, but I smash it down, trying to be cool. He needs to see me as mature enough for him.
“Here we go.”
Bishop nods, filling the two glasses. He holds his glass up to mine. “To us.”
