When he was done and back in the living room, he was disappointed to see Angus wasn’t on the sofa anymore. Ben found him standing in front of the refrigerator in the small kitchen.
“Angus?”
Angus turned and smiled. “Want something to eat? I don’t have a lot in here, but we could figure something out.”
Ben glanced at his phone and shook his head. “I wish I could, but I have to get to the shop. The last dayof class starts in less than an hour. Remember, this is the all-day class?”
Angus frowned. “Yeah. I remember.”
They stared at each other, neither speaking. What was there to say when they’d spent the night holding each other on the sofa? What was the protocol for this? If it had been a hook-up, and anyone but Angus, Ben would have been out the door after the deed.
Angus chuckled. “Awkward?”
Ben smiled. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t sure what to say. I have to go, but…I’d like to see you again. And no, I’m not pushing you to come to class.”
Angus looked surprised. “You want to see me again? After I cried all over you? I’m a mess.”
“Then you’re a beautiful mess,” Ben said, walking toward him.
Angus laughed. “Um, that was pretty cheesy.”
With his hands on Angus’s hips, Ben pulled the man closer, until they were only inches apart. “I know,” he answered. “But it doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Can I see you again?”
“Yes,” Angus breathed out.
Ben wanted to kiss him, but wasn’t sure the moment was right. They’d shared something so intimate last night, yet sexual desire hadn’t played a part in it. He leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on Angus’s cheek before stepping back.
“Can I call you later?”
Angus’s hand flew up to his cheek and a light blush covered his skin. He nodded.
Ben smiled. “Talk to you then.”
When he pulled the door shut behind him, he couldn’t help but whistle as he made his way to his vehicle.He couldn’t wait to get the day over and spend more time getting to know Angus.
5
“Someone’s in a good mood,” Amelia cooed as they met in the hallway.
Class was about to start and Ben was reading over some of the items he wanted to make sure the students understood. He looked up at her and scrunched his brow. “What?”
His sister laughed. “You’re humming and you’ve got a spring in your step. What happened? You get laid?”
“Amelia!”
She smiled. “I just like to see you happy,” she told him. “You’ve been alone too long.”
Ben sighed. “I know, sis. And yeah, I…kind of met someone.” He wasn’t ready to tell anyone about Angus, though. He hoped something was happening between them, but he didn’t want to jinx himself.
She narrowed her eyes and looked him over. “Well, if he makes you happy enough to hum while you work, then maybe he’s the one.”
He rolled his eyes. “We just met. Stop. Please.”
“Fine. But you’re not getting any younger, little brother,” she reminded him before wiggling past him and continuing down the hall.
Despite not being able to get Angus out of his mind, the morning flew by. When he let the class go for an hour to grab some lunch, he called Angus.
“Hello?”
“Angus? Hi. It’s Ben.” Why the hell was his heart starting to race? It was just a phone call.
“Hi,” Angus’s voice lowered. “How’s class going?”
“Everyone’s on lunch break. It’s going great.” Ben paced around his small office, looking at the piles of all the projects he needed to be working on. “I was wondering if you were busy later?”
“Today?”
Shit, I hadn’t meant to come across as so needy. I should’ve waited.
“I’m not busy. If you meant today, I mean,” Angus said quickly.
Ben smiled and his breath came out in a whoosh. “Great. Class ends at six P.M.”
“How about I meet you there and we kind of make up plans as we go?”
“That sounds great, Angus.”
They said their goodbyes and hung up.
Ben spent the rest of the afternoon trying to keep a big grin off his face.
* * * *
About five o’clock, he was watching the students ride—one at a time—around the course. It was Shirley’s turn and she gave him a thumbs up as she mounted the bike. “Ben?”
He spun and grinned when he saw Angus. “Hey! What are you doing here so early?”
Angus shrugged. “Just…wanted to come watch, I guess.”
“Great! Shirley’s about to ride the course.”
Angus moved next to Ben and they all watched as the oldest student in class maneuvered her way through the course. She was a little slow, but she managed without any issues, and as she crossed the finish line, everyone clapped and cheered for her.