Finding Home at Randy’s (Diner Days)

Chapter 12

P lopping down into the empty seat next to Graeme, I ask, “Why are you being weird?”

He looks up at me with blue eyes, full of confusion, and a little…sadness? Maybe? I’m not sure what put that particular look in his eyes, but I want nothing more than to fix whatever it is.

“I’m not,” he denies.

“Bullshit.” Leaning in, I keep my gaze on his. “You know, you can talk to me, right? I’d like to think, after all this time, we’re friends.”

That earns me a strained smile. “Thank you. But I promise, I’m fine. Maybe a little overwhelmed, but it’s okay.”

Setting a hand on his arm, I study him. “Are you sure? Did you feel pressured into coming? I hope I didn’t make you feel like this the other day.”

Grae shakes his head. “No, no. You didn’t do anything to make me feel pressured, I swear. I just had a bit of a realization earlier that this is the first real social event I’ve been to in a long time. I guess it’s made me feel some type of way, as while I’ve never been the most social person around—that was all Rory—I like to think I’m friendly enough.”

“You are,” I assure.

He gives me another strained smile. “Yeah, maybe. But… I don’t know. I guess I’ve come to see just how much I’ve shut myself away for so long. Reentering the social life I had not too long ago is difficult, and I don’t know how to change that.”

Giving his arm a squeeze, I move in closer, heedless of the people around us. “Well, I’m here to be your friend, and anytime you wanna hang out, I’m down. I’m still on nights right now, but my off days are usually free.”

“You don’t have to worry about me, but I appreciate it.”

“Pfft. I’d love to see you more. I’m still showing Luka around, introducing him to the city and people, so you could join us.”

Graeme sort of grimaces and another sad look crosses his features. “I don’t want to crash your party. Especially not when it looks like you two are…moving along in your relationship.”

It takes a moment for his words and meaning to make sense, and I laugh. “Oh, no. Luka and I are just friends. Are we close? Sure. We’ve spent a lot of time together the last few weeks, since Valery introduced us, and maybe I’m more touchy-feely than I need to be, but he likes it. From the little hints I’ve gotten of his past, I suspect he didn’t have much love or affection growing up. I’m not saying I’m trying to compensate for that, but… I like the way he looks when I do nice things for him, even something as simple as holding his hand.”

There’s a look in Graeme’s eyes I can’t decipher, but the smile he gives is soft. “You’re a good person and friend, Denver. Luka’s lucky to have you in his corner.”

“He’s wonderful.” I squeeze his arm again. “Seriously, Grae, consider coming out with us one day. We’d both like that.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Hours after the munch, Luka and I are at my apartment. It’s late and we’re both exhausted, but working nights means my sleep schedule is whacky at the moment, so I’m good to be up for a few more hours, though I know Luka has to work tomorrow.

“Do you want me to take you home?”

He curls into the corner of the sofa and shakes his head. “No, I’m fine. Tired, but I don’t work until the afternoon, so I’m okay.” He bites his bottom lip and fidgets a little before saying, “You and Graeme looked cozy earlier.”

“Not as cozy as I’d like to be, but then I’m not as touchy with most people like I am with you. I mean, touch is part of my love language, and I grew up with lots of hugs and stuff, but I didn’t want to overwhelm him while he was clearly already struggling.”

“He wouldn’t have minded,” Luka says softly. “He likes you, ya know. As more than a friend.”

I swear my heart stops beating for a moment as my breath catches in my throat. I hope my voice sounds normal when I ask, “What makes you say that?”

Luka rolls his eyes. “He looks at you like I imagine I do.”

“Luka…”

I get a sad, small smile. “It’s okay,” he says softly. “I saw how you were looking at him, too. I’m okay. It’ll pass.”

Sliding over so I’m sitting directly next to him, I set a hand on the back of the sofa and lean over his curled up legs, hovering close. “You’re adorable,” I whisper.

My words earn me a blush and shy smile, and it makes me grin. “Yeah,” I say quietly. “So adorable, and it draws me in. I don’t want to scare you off; I like being your friend. But if you’re going to say shit like that…it’s hard not to react.”

Luka gasps and his blush deepens. He sits up, his legs pressing against my chest as I lean over him, but all that matters is how close his mouth gets to mine.

“I like being your friend, too.”

Closing the scant few inches between us, I tell him in a breathless whisper, “I’m going to kiss you.”

“Do it.”

The first touch of our lips is soft, sweet. The second is much the same. The third time I press my lips to Luka’s, he groans, pushing harder against me and making me moan in return. The position we’re in is awkward, but neither of us seems to care. Sweeping my tongue along his bottom lip, I taste him.

A breath rushes out of Luka’s mouth as he opens for me, his soft whimper spurring me on, though I keep our kiss gentle, not wanting to rush this.

When we finally pull back, both of us breathless, I’m met by the softest hazel brown eyes, and the sweetest smile on kiss-swollen lips.

Whether what Luka said about Graeme “liking me” is true or not, it doesn’t matter right now. All that does is the sweet, shy, and absolutely adorable man in front of me.