One Night Ever After by Elizah J. Davis Elle Brownlee Tere Michaels

Author:Elizah J. Davis, Elle Brownlee, Tere Michaels [Elizah J. Davis, Elle Brownlee, Tere Michaels]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

“SO, Lucas Landscaping—Andrew Lucas—making you one of those guys with two first names?” Michael dropped onto the ground next to Andrew, passed him the water jug, and smiled.

Andrew took a long drink, then surveyed the job site and was more than satisfied. He could say the same about having Michael sitting so close at his elbow but avoided dwelling on the idea.

“Actually, they are my two first names. When I turned eighteen I had it legally changed from my mom’s last name to the two that were mine. That I wanted.” Andrew licked his lips and shrugged tightly.

He supposed that meant Michael really hadn’t pried overly into his business, as it would be easy enough information to glean from whatever files a cop could get on his less-than-stellar history. He felt Michael tense up and sighed inwardly. He was so bad at chitchat, at anything offhand, and clearly, he was just as bad at relaying personal and sensitive information. It didn’t even hurt anymore to think about the past—almost ten years ago, and long before then he’d stopped nursing unwarranted affection for a mother who didn’t care—but he’d said it almost like a challenge.

Probably because Michael had wormed into his life far too easily and without invitation, but almost by default, because apparently them working on being friends made that a default. It ruffled Andrew and made him wary, instinct and lifelong habits in reaction to anyone taking an interest in him, even while he was trying to be better and offer more.

It had been two weeks and three days since Michael had shown up at Andrew’s office to apologize. Since then, they’d run into each other more than Andrew could reasonably think was coincidence, but he found he didn’t mind. Quite the opposite. He was flattered and almost pathetically relieved, because, beyond an undeniable attraction to Michael, he flat-out liked the guy, enough to want to be friends.

Friends had been a rarity Andrew’s entire life and allowing himself to want any even more so. Michael insinuating into the fabric of his days had made it easier to accept that being friends could happen and would be okay.

Today’s just-so-happens dividend of being friends with Michael had seen nearly the entire horde of Michael’s siblings descend to help Andrew do the work of planting and installing everything at the middle school. Andrew had estimated it would take him a week, Saturday included, but with the clan of brothers, sisters, and some stray cousins, it had taken Saturday only. Andrew was still in mild shock over someone having that many close relations, never mind that they’d all show up to give this much effort for a complete stranger.

Michael had laughed when he’d gaped at the mass arrival.

“We’re a Polish Mexican Catholic household living up to every stereotype those words just conjured up for you. I have seven siblings, with nieces, nephews, and cousins coming out my ears! I might as well put that to good use now and again.”

Andrew had still boggled.

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