Page 46 of Sweet T

The door opened, and Tucker entered with a tray. “Breakfast is–”

Tucker’s eyes flashed wide. He did a quick, comical U-turn. “I am so sorry. I should have knocked.”

Evan found the swimsuit. “No worries. You’re fine. There’s no room for modesty when you’re doing summer stock in a small venue. We pretty much had to dress in the wings, no matter who was near.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” Tucker hollered from the kitchen. “But I’m not used to seeing a naked man in my Nana’s bedroom.”

Evan joined him at the table. Tucker was still flushed and avoiding eye-contact.

“You’re adorable. You know that?” Evan asked.

“What? I was just trying to bring you breakfast in bed. I wasn’t looking for a strip show.”

“Thank you. It’s much appreciated. I want to swap places with you tonight, though. I feel bad enough imposing. I’m not kicking you out of your bed again. I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

“Sure. Whatever.”

“Or we could share the bed. I mean, it’s big bed. I don’t take up a lot of room. I promise.”

Tucker stared at Evan. “Don’t you ever put a shirt on?”

“Am I distracting you?”

“Yes, Evan, you are. You walk around here either naked or half-naked all the time. It’s very distracting.”

Evan took a bite of bacon. “Distracting good, or distracting bad?”

“I don’t know,” Tucker said, flustered. “Just distracting. Aren’t you the least bit conscious of the situation? I mean, you just had a very unpleasant encounter with a man you didn’t know. Now you’re here, with me, someone you just met. But you act like everything is just fine and dandy, prancing around naked.”

“Prancing?”

“You know what I mean.”

“You can walk around naked too if you want to. I won’t judge you. I promise.”

Tucker took a bite of his scrambled eggs. When his eyes lifted, making contact with Evan’s, he was greeted with a mischievous smirk. He swallowed his food, opened his mouth to speak, then changed his mind.

“Cat got your tongue?” Evan asked.

“You’re playing me again.”

“Maybe a little.”

“I’m glad you’re amused by my befuddlement.”

“Yay! Big word. Two points.”

“I’m just a big dumb redneck to you, aren’t I?”

“Well, you’re not dumb.”

Tucker smiled. “I guess this is the real you I’m seeing, huh? No more breakdowns in the bathtub. No more fuzzy with painkillers. Just Evan Harbuck, folks—a muscled, half-naked, tattooed sprite that drove his parents nuts and now seeks to do the same with me.”

“I told you I’m resilient.”

“Yes.” Tucker nodded. “Yes, you did. I suppose I should be glad.”

“This breakfast is delicious, by the way.”