“Perhaps,” he says at last, his voice faraway. “No promises, pet.”
Chapter 10
Half an hour later, when Jack is long gone, the front door of the flat opens. Rick’s footsteps sound in the hall. They’re tentative, as though he isn’t sure of his welcome. I’m sitting at the kitchen table, leafing idly through the dare cards. The smell of hot apple strudel, my favorite dessert, fills the air as Rick appears at the kitchen door. My nostrils twitch at the delicious autumny scent.
“I’m sorry,” Rick says, as soon as he sees me.
“I know.”
“Youknow?” He sets the dessert bag on the table and takes off his coat. “How could you know?”
“Jack just visited me.”
He crinkles his nose, and he looks so damn cute doing it that I half-forgive him already.
“Who?” Rick says.
“The highwayman. Didn’t you read the guidebook?”
“Read?”
Good point.
“He’s the highwayman,” I say, rolling my eyes. “He came here and told me that you’re sorry.”
“He was here?” Rick’s eyes flicker all around in comical fear. “And how did he know I’m sorry?
“He overheard you on the phone… somehow. I don’t really know how. Anyway, the important thing is that I forgive you.”
Rick comes closer, starting to smile. Forgetting Jack and focusing onme. It feels like I’m falling into a pool of sunlight. I stand up and he wraps his arms around me and I nestle against his strong chest, my cheek on his heartbeat.
“I shouldn’t have gotten so distant,” he says, sounding ashamed. “Not after what we shared. It was cruel. But I panicked.”
“I thought you were embarrassed that I saw you get dommed by a ghost.”
“Technically, we both were.”
“You a little more than me,” I point out. Rick’s not the only one who can tease.
He lets me go and grins in defeat. “If you say so.”
I get serious, reaching up to stroke his cheek. “Jack said you think I’m too good for you? Why would I ever think something like that?”
“Because you’re so smart and I’m an idiot who think it’s funny to throw spiders at you, and you probably just see me as a friend, and—”
I smush my finger to his lips. “Rick, shut up. Right now. I amnottoo good for you.”
“It's not just that,” he says, mumbling past my finger. “You’re my best friend’s little brother, and part of me felt guilty after what we did.”
I sigh. “Rick, I appreciate you wanting to be protective, but I’m a big boy. I know what I want.”
His eyes widen with hope. He doesn’t say another word. I gather my courage. I don’t want to be like Jack, never finding the words to express how I really feel.
“I want to be with you, Rick,” I say. “Not just roommates, not just friends. As a couple. If you want to be with me.”
I feel his intake of breath through his soft lips.
“I do,” he says.
