“No. I’m too focused on studying and you. Have you?”
“No. I’m too focused on work.” He smiles. “And you.”
“Shit, Bishop, my heart feels so full right now. I can’t believe you came all this way to see me. It feels so good to know you want me as much as I want you.”
“I always have.” He leans close and kisses me softly. Briefly. Too briefly. “And as much as I want to tear you up right now, I’m not going to.”
“That’s cool too.”
“Well, what do you say we pick out a good comedy to watch?”
“And then a badass mafia flick?”
“Perfect.”
The next morning,I open my eyes to an empty bed. When I sit up, Bishop comes in the room carrying two mugs of coffee.
“Morning.”
I smile. “Morning.”
He hands me a mug and kisses my forehead. “I have to go soon.”
“I understand. Thank you so much for coming.”
“My pleasure.” He sits on the bed across from me and sips his coffee. “Sleeping with you last night was really nice. I liked the feeling of your body next to mine. My bed has been cold for too long.”
“Stop, babe. You’re so romantic and sexy.”
“I’m being honest.”
“Thanks.”
“Do something for me?”
“Anything.”
His brow furrows. “Please do your best in school. It’ll make things easier when it comes time to tell your dad about this.”
My eyes widen. “We’re gonna tell him?”
“Someday I assume we’ll have to if…” His words trail off but his eyes give me so much hope I almost cry.
“I’ll do everything I can.”
“Good. I wish I could stay and just spend the day getting to know you even more.”
“You know me, Bishop. You know me deeper than you think.”
“You give me hope that maybe I’m not broken at all. I can absolutely see what’s being handed to me, and I can honor it, and cherish it, and god, I hope, someday I can return it.”
My breath catches in my throat. “I know you can. I’m sure of it.”
Bishop sets his mug down, then leans in and presses his lips on mine. “I’m gonna head out. If you want to text me, it’s okay. Just a quick hello or an I miss you would be nice.”
I nod. “I will.”
“See you soon, lover.”
