own through them. “Are you like this with everyone?”

“Yes,” Shawn said. Flicker of eye contact. “Not as much around my family.”

“I’d really like to have one of your benches,” Ryan said.

Flicker. “I’d really like to have one of your angel plants.”

Ryan smiled. “I’m willing to arrange a trade.”

Shawn’s smile was warm, his gaze shy. “Paul didn’t tell me much about you. I didn’t know you were going to be…”

Shawn’s thumb twitched in Ryan’s grasp. Knowing what he wanted, but kindly refusing to give it to him, Ryan kissed Shawn’s temple instead. “Going to be what?” he asked.

“Like this,” Shawn said.

“Like what?” Ryan asked, kissing his other temple for good measure.

Shawn caught his gaze, and held it.

Ryan had absolutely no desire to look away. “Are your eyes really that blue?”

“Yes,” Shawn said. A slow, considering blink. Shawn’s thumb twitched. “I haven’t been looking forward to seeing someone again this much in years.”

Ryan smiled. “Thank you.”

“Can I have my hand back?”

Still smiling, Ryan shook his head. “No.” He wanted to kiss Shawn, he was burning to kiss Shawn, but he didn’t know if that would be smart. Shawn had a very attractively curved pink mouth, but Shawn also looked nervous enough that he might not react well if Ryan tried to kiss him. Ryan wanted to initiate at least a good night kiss, but he’d rather do nothing and get to see Shawn again than scare Shawn off.

Shawn broke eye contact, but this time, he only lowered his gaze as far as Ryan’s mouth. “I should go. You have to get home.”

“Yeah,” Ryan said. “We have work in the morning.” He wondered if Shawn wanted to kiss him. He wondered if throwing himself against Shawn’s body would be a bad move.

“Yes,” Shawn said. His thumb twitched. The focus of his stare wasn’t changing. “Good-bye.”

“Bye,” Ryan said.

“Bye,” Shawn said, and kissed him.