Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“Barcelona,” Adam said, ignoring Jake’s stare, and dug into the ice cream. He brought the spoon to his mouth, swallowed, and suppressed a grimace. He really wasn’t a fan of lemons.
“You don’t like it,” Harry said, his face falling.
“No, it’s good,” Adam said. “I just don’t like lemons all that much.”
The corners of Harry’s mouth turned down. “Why didn’t you just say so?” Harry murmured. “What’s the point of my learning to cook if you don’t like it?”
Adam stared at him. “You’re learning to cook for me?”
“Of course,” Harry said, looking at Adam like he was stupid. “You said you liked home-cooked food, and I wanted...” He averted his gaze, chewing on his lip. “You do so much for me. I wanted to give something back.”
His chest tight with affection, Adam pecked him on the nose. “You don’t have to, love.”
“But I like it,” Harry said quietly. He was still not meeting Adam’s eyes, a slight blush on his cheeks. “I like doing things for you. It makes me feel good.”
Adam suddenly wondered if it was the reason Harry insisted on doing his laundry, despite being rather terrible at it.
“Okay,” Adam said, tucking the stray strand of Harry’s hair behind his ear. Harry’s hair had always fascinated him. It was so soft and shiny it felt inhuman, like the finest silk. The hair wasn’t the only thing about Harry that seemed ethereal: his skin was unnaturally flawless and soft to the touch, his eyes unnaturally violet and deep. Adam had to constantly stop himself from touching and stroking him all over.
“You need a haircut, babe,” Adam said, running his fingers through Harry’s hair. He tried not to stare at Harry’s small pink mouth.
Harry closed his eyes, leaning into the touch. “I’ve been thinking of growing it out. What do you think?”
“It’s your hair, Haz,” Adam said, raising his eyebrows a little. Lately, Harry had been asking for his opinion on his appearance all the time. Adam wasn’t sure what to think of it. If he didn’t know better, he’d think Harry wanted to look good for him, which…it was a good thing he knew better. Friends. They were just friends.
“I know it’s my hair,” Harry said, rolling his eyes with a smile. “But do you think I’d look nice with long hair? I tried to grow it out once when I was, like, twelve or thirteen, because I wanted to be like my older brother, but I just looked ridiculous. But now I actually have cheekbones, so maybe I can pull it off now? What do you think?”
Adam brushed his thumb over said cheekbones. “You’d look good,” he said, removing his hand when he noticed that Jake was watching them. “But you look good now, too.”
An hour later, as he followed Jake to the door, Adam said, “Don’t.”
Jake looked at him grimly. “Just be careful, man. He seems like a genuinely nice bloke, but the nice ones are usually the worst. You don’t notice when they stab you in the gut because you’re too distracted by their nice smiles.”
Adam said nothing. He had a feeling it was too late for him anyway.
“Jake doesn’t like me, does he?” Harry said when Adam returned to the living room.
Adam sighed inwardly. It had been probably too much to hope that Harry wouldn’t notice. Harry could be very perceptive for someone who was completely oblivious to certain things.
“He’s just a bit jealous,” he lied, sitting down next to Harry. “He used to be my closest friend. We used to hang out all the time.”
Harry looked down, an unhappy wrinkle appearing between his brows.
“It’s not your fault,” Adam said, slinging an arm around Harry and squeezing his shoulder.
“But it is,” Harry said. “I do take a lot of your attention and time.” Harry lifted his gaze. “You know the horrible part?” he said, his cheeks pink. “I’m not really sorry. I feel terrible because I don’t feel sorry about it. I like having all of your attention. You’re mine, not his.”
Don’t read too much into it.
Adam cleared his throat. “I can be both. Yours and his. It’s not mutually exclusive. It’s normal to have a few close friends.”
Harry pursed his lips. “You don’t call him babe.”
Adam blinked. “No?” What did that have to do with anything?
A little wrinkle appeared between Harry’s brows. “As long as I’m your only babe, he can be your friend, too, I guess.”
Adam gave a snort. “Thanks for your permission, you little tyrant.”
Harry laughed, having the grace to look embarrassed. “Sorry, I’m being awful. I don’t know why I’m being so awful about it. Jake is very nice, but...” He wrapped his arm around Adam’s middle and hid his face against his chest. “I never had a friend like you,” he confessed quietly. “I have many friends back home, but this is different. You’re different. I...” He lifted his head to look Adam in the eye. “I’m so happy that I met you. You make me very happy, all warm and giddy on the inside.”