Page 128 of Last First Kiss

Eyes low, Jamie says, “No.”

Of course he doesn’t. If he did, Denz would be on the first flight back to Atlanta. He’d yell and scream and curse Jamie’s entire bloodline all while moving his stuff back in. Braylon would just have to deal. Denz and Jamie have always been that serious about each other.

“We both need one less thing to stress about,” Jamie hoarsely tells him. “I just want some peace.”

His eyes finally reach Jordan’s again.

Jordan doesn’t look away.

Gently, Jamie says, “You’re my peace, Jordan.”

It plunks in Jordan’s chest like a rock tossed into a fountain. The feeling splashes and spills over and takes ages to settle. But it does.

Without his permission, the corners of Jordan’s mouth hitch into a smile. He hides it behind another spoonful.

“Thanks,” Jamie says. “For coming to check on me.”

“I had to,” Jordan says teasingly. “If you die before the wedding, we’ll never make the front page ofPeople.”

“I thought we were aiming forSouthern Bride?”

“Thinkbigger, my young apprentice.”

For the first time, Jamie’s face scrunches into a genuine smile.

After a beat, Jordan says, “I want you to be okay.” He hates the shyness in his voice. The sweet, saccharine sincerity of it.

Jamie eyes him over the soup’s steam. “I am now. But you should probably stay away from me.”

“I’ve had my flu shot, Jamie.”

“Good to know. But I haven’t showered indays. Been too sick to bother. It’s pretty depressing.”

“Oh.”

Another long pause.

Jamie keeps slurping his soup. Keeps looking soft and exhausted. Jordan knows he’s not helpless. He’s a fighter. But even Rocky needed someone in his corner.

That’s the only reason, based on a poorly constructed sports metaphor, for what he says next:

“I can help you.”

Jamie’s head cocks sideways. A confused border collie.

“I can help you shower,” Jordan spells out. “As, you know, a friend.”

-14-?Select the Honeymoon Destination

Thankfully, Jamie’s bathroom mirror is already fogged. Jordan can’t handle seeing what his face looks like right now.

A thin mist from the shower’s steam hangs in the air. It’s not enough to hide Jamie as he shrugs off his ugly robe. Or how clumsy he looks stepping out of his socks. The real test comes when it’s time to remove his boxers. He almost falls over, but Jordan’s reflexes are sharp.

His hand on Jamie’s elbow steadies him.

“Hold on to me.”

He braces himself against the counter. Jamie uses Jordan’s shoulder for support. With absolute determination, Jordan keeps his eyes skyward as Jamie wiggles out of his boxers.