Chapter 45

He was smiling gently. “I’m not even mad about it anymore. Okay?”

I cleared my throat, still feeling a little off. “So, uh, what are you proposing? I mean—with Myles?”

“Well, that you…allow the attraction to blossom. That you not hold back. That you let whatever is there between you two happen naturally.”

“And what about what’s between the two of you?” I replied, without thinking.

“What do you mean?” he asked in a high voice.

But his expression told me he knew exactly what I meant. “He has a thing for you. Actually, more than a thing.”

“For me?” He shook his head. “No.” He forced a laugh. “No. He’s attracted to you.”

“Yeah, granted, he may be curious about me, but it’s you he loves.”

“Nick, you’re being ridiculous.”

“No, I’m—”

“This is not about me and him, Nick!” Derek seemed almost surprised at his own outburst. He quickly smiled again. “It’s about h-him and you, and this push and pull thing you two have going on.”