“What?”
Tate shrugs. “Nothing. Just wondering why Luca didn’t go over to see Genesis. He always does.”
“Something about a client coming soon,” I lie.
“Ah. Makes sense. It’s cute, I think. The way he looks at you two like you’re something he never knew existed.”
“I think you’re exaggerating. He’s just a friend.”
“For now, maybe. If he can work himself out of the friend lane, I’m pretty sure he will.”
Instead of responding, I walk to the back to get another tray of pastries. Tate needs to mind his own business.
At lunch time, Gen appears upfront. “Ready to go eat, boo?” he asks.
“Yes. I’m starving.”
”Same.”
We walk a few blocks to our favorite taco shop and find a table on the busy patio. While sipping my water, I gaze at my friend, who is looking at the menu as if he doesn’t order the same thing every time.
“Do you think I’m getting chubby?” he asks, eyes still glued to the menu.
“No. Don’t be dumb.”
“I’m not. I just feel a little mushy lately.”
“You look fine.”
“I don’t want to look fine. I want to look fine.”
“You do.” You’re one of the two hottest guys in Miami, you dumb gorgeous man.
He smiles, looking pleased. “Thanks, boo. PS, you were hiding abs.”
I laugh softly. “Not hiding them. Just haven’t had a reason to be shirtless much recently.”
“Have you been working out?”
I shrug. “Just some crunches in the morning to help me perk up after getting out of bed.”
“I should do that. Seriously, if we’re gonna do this again with Luca. He’s a wall of steel.”
“He is.” I set my water down. “Are we doing this again? He wants to hang out tomorrow.”
“Sounds fun,” he says nonchalantly.
After our server comes and takes our order, Gen drags his finger around the rim of his glass, looking everywhere but at me.
“He called me Cai today.”
Gen’s face perks up. “Ooh a pet name. That’s cute.”
“I don’t hate it.”
“Everything that comes out of his mouth is heaven with that accent.”
“Right. Combined with his face.”
“And his sweetness.”
“And his sex appeal.”
“And that dick. Okay?”
“Okurrr?” I chirp the word. “That was impressive.”
Gen nods, his lips popped in a pout. “To say the least. Never turning down a dicking from that man.”
“No.”
“Guess we should’ve known. He’s got big dick energy.”
I laugh. “He does. Apparently for good reason.”
Gen’s eyes land on mine. “And then there’s you. You’ve been holding out on me.”
“How?”
“Let’s just say, I was equally impressed.”
“Thanks. Yours is….” What I’d imagined? No, can’t say that. “Also nice.”
For a few lingering seconds, his eyes reflect the heat they did two nights ago when his mouth met mine for the first time. Just as quickly as it came, though, the look is gone and the Genesis I know is back, flipping hair he doesn’t have and waving his hands wildly while telling me the story of a bridezilla they’re dealing with, and how calm and sweet Briar talked her down.
“Briar is just so chill. I was ready to tell her to go sit down.”
“He is super chill. So is Jude though. Must be why they vibe so well.”
“True. They are a perfect match.”
I nod, sipping my water as our meals are delivered. “Do you believe in that?”
“What?”
“Soul mates. Perfect matches. That kind of stuff.”
Gen directs his attention to putting salsa on his tacos for a few seconds.
“Honestly, I don’t know anymore.”
“I get it.”
“You?”
“I think so. Maybe I just want to believe.”
“Yeah.”
We eat quietly for a few minutes until a memory comes to me. “Do you remember last year when we were out, and that older guy hit on me?”
“That silver fox? Of course I remember.”
“I never told you much about him, but you know I went out with him a few times.”
“Right. I remember.”
“He told me that he thought everyone had a match, but he didn’t think it was always just one person. He didn’t believe in soulmates. He believed in matches. He said that at different times in our lives, those matches might be different, but when we reached a certain point, there would be a match that just fit and never stopped fitting.”
Gen nods, picking at the meat in his taco. “I think I like that idea.”
“I did. I wanted to be his match, even though I was thirty years younger. He said I was, for that season of his life, but that he knew long term my match would be someone else. He told me I was young and had so many more levels in life to reach.”
“You sound sad, boo.”
“No.” I smile. “Just remembering.”
“What happened with him?”
“He was right. He was in a different phase. He wanted to spend his weekends doing road trips and going to museums or just sitting around the house doing projects. He wanted to settle down. I wasn’t ready for that, even though I thought he was really cool.”
“Why is he on your mind right now?”
“I was just thinking about how unique it is that we’re both involved with the same guy.”
Gen frowns. “We’re not involved, Cairo. We’re just fucking around. You’re not trying to make Luca a match, are you?”
My brow furrows. Yeah, I am. Both of you. I try to think of a good way to phrase this.
“Listen, Cairo.”
From the look on his face, I already know this conversation is getting shut down in three...two...one…
“This is just for fun,” Gen says. “No one is falling in love. No one is matching anyone. Hell, two nights ago, you weren’t even that into Luca.”
“That's not true. I just thought he was into you. Only.”
Gen rolls his eyes. “He wants to fuck us. Who can blame him? I mean, we’re us.” He grins, making me laugh softly. “Let’s not get this twisted. It’s three hot boys having fun. When it’s over, I want to make sure we all stay friends. The best way to do that is to make sure feelings stay out of it.”
“Just because you’re allergic to feelings doesn’t mean everyone is.”
“Let’s not go there. We both know I have good reason to keep my feelings out of things.”
I nod. “Sorry, Gen.”
“It’s fine.” He exhales. “It’s just...what’s the likelihood three of us could make a relationship work anyway?”
“True.”
“So, can we agree to keep it light and fun?”
“Sure. We can do that.”
“Good.” He smiles. “Let’s pay and get back. I’ve got a bridezilla cake to finish.”