and I’ve never been to Golden Gate Park.”
George placed a hand over his heart and feigned shock. “I’m a severe introvert, and even I’ve done that.”
“See? You can show me stuff. And maybe one day I can give you a private tour of the ghost town.”
The ghost town thing sounded strangely like a come-on, so George tempered his surprise with laughter. “I guess we’ll see. But I do want to stay friends, Levi. Not just for Ginger, but we have really good conversations. I can let my guard down with you.” I want to kiss you every single time I see you now.
George kept that one to himself.
“I feel the same,” Levi said. “You’re important to me, George. Our friendship is important to me.”
They held eye contact a beat longer, something new and unspoken there, before they both started eating. George didn’t enjoy his sub as much as the previous ones, because this one was the last. The end of a new tradition. While they ate, he got the name of the deli from Levi and plugged it into his phone, grateful to see the place delivered. He wanted to hold on to something of theirs.
He nearly asked if Levi would want to occasionally have lunch together via video chat but that seemed excessively needy. After a meal full of casual, occasionally awkward conversation, they washed their brownies down with water and ginger ale, and then it was time. Levi carried the crate down to his pickup, while George spent a few minutes petting Ginger. Silently saying goodbye to the sweet kitty he’d come to love.
When Levi returned, George got the extra food, litter and pill pockets for him. “Want me to carry the stuff so you don’t jostle Ginger too much?” George asked.
“Sure.” Levi winked. “You need some sunshine on that pale skin.”
George laughed. He didn’t care about the sun; he wanted to prolong this as much as possible. He grabbed his keys and they trooped downstairs together. The living room was empty for a change. His heart skipped once and his stomach sloshed with acid when George walked outside to the small front porch. He silently followed Levi nearly half the block down to his pickup.
Levi opened the passenger-side door. George deposited the cloth bag on the middle of the bench front seat, a little sad he might never see those bags again. Then Levi surprised him by hefting the carrier up into both arms, putting Ginger closer to eye level for George. George poked his fingers through the grate. Ginger licked them, then started purring.
“Bye, pretty lady. You were a great roommate, but I’m glad you’re going home to your sisters.”
Glad for you and your daddy, but sad for me.
George straightened, so Levi put the carrier in the truck and shut the door. Ginger immediately began yowling, and the sound made George want to cry.
“Again, I cannot thank you enough for what you did for us,” Levi said. “It was very selfless. I will repay your kindness.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to. I’m just not sure how yet. The universe will show me the way.”
George smiled. “You are such an odd person sometimes, Levi, but I think that’s why I like you. Us odd ducks need to flock together.”
“Agreed.” Levi’s eyes flickered briefly downward, as if he wanted to kiss George, and George would let him. By God, yes, he would let Levi be his first kiss. “May I give you a hug goodbye?”
The request warmed George all over. Some people would have just impulsively hugged him, no matter what George thought, but not Levi. Levi was too thoughtful for that, and it meant everything to George. “Yes.” He hadn’t been hugged by anyone except Orry in a long damned time. Too long.
Levi took a single step into his personal space, arms open. When he didn’t advance, George closed the distance between them and draped his arms loosely around Levi’s waist. The man’s taller frame and work-earned muscles felt great against George’s body. He smelled good, too, a faint fragrance of something reminiscent of pine. Levi rested his chin on George’s shoulder, and they held each other in a loose embrace. Sweet and wonderful and George never wanted to let go.
“You’re my hero,” Levi whispered, then pulled back.
George’s body mourned the loss of Levi against him, and he wasn’t sure what to do with that. He’d never craved another person’s hug as fiercely as he craved Levi’s. All his muddled brain could think to do was say,