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Ten

"Y ou haven't said much since I picked you up," Jimmy said. "You seem a little tense."

Nova looked over the top of his menu and met the man's worried gaze. The sunlight streaming through the diner window picked up strands of gold in his curls and made his eyes look like molten amber. The D from the Daisy's Place logo cast a shadow on his left cheek, and Nova wanted to reach across the table and trace it. "Do I?"

Jimmy nodded, then chewed on his bottom lip. "Having regrets?"

Quirking a brow, Nova said, "About?"

A flush crept up Jimmy's neck and face. "I think you know."

Nova closed the menu and set it down. He knew exactly what he wanted for breakfast and from the man sitting across the table. His reticence had nothing to do with changing his mind. "I—"

Before he could finish, the waitstaff made entirely of drag queens began performing a song from Cabaret . Nova couldn't imagine walking around in their sky-high platform shoes, let alone dancing an intricate number in them. After the song wrapped up, a burly man wearing a pair of leather pants and a matching vest walked around the room collecting tips for the performers.

"Hiya, cutie," he said to Jimmy. The man's gruff voice contradicted the friendly smile on his face. "It's been a while since we saw you last. You doing okay?"

"Hi, Edgar," Jimmy said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a few bills. "I'm doing well, and it has been too long."

"Take care of yourself and don't be a stranger," Edgar said before moving on to the next booth.

Jimmy waited until they were alone again to speak. "He's Daisy's husband. Looks mean as hell, but the man is a big softie." He cocked his head to the side. "I think you were about to renege on our deal before the show started."

"Nope," Nova said. "I was not. I…" He paused and looked around the room to make sure he wasn't about to be interrupted again. "I was just going to say that I'm the kind of guy who needs structure and rules."

Jimmy nodded. "Where I fall more into the anything-goes category."

"Yin and yang."

Jimmy winked and took a sip from his coffee. "If you don't want to call this thing off, what do you propose?"

Nova released a shaky breath. He wasn't sure if it was Jimmy's influence or just getting caught up in the chemistry sparking between them, but he didn't want or need to plan out every detail of their summer. A cold itinerary was the last thing Nova desired. "Maybe we should establish a few ground rules."

Jimmy nodded. "Okay. But do we both get to make the rules or just you?"

"Both of us," Nova replied, placing his hand over Jimmy's.

"Fair enough," Jimmy said and gestured for him to go on.

"The first rule in…" Nova tilted his head. "What are we calling this?"

"Fuck club?" Jimmy suggested.

Nova chuckled. "Absolutely not. That sounds dirty and—"

Jimmy quirked a brow. "Fun."

"Maybe," Nova said, "but our plans extend beyond sexual stimulation."

A soft snort followed the remark. "Speak for yourself." Jimmy turned his hand and slid his fingers through Nova's. "Go ahead and give me the first rule for our epic adventure."

"Honesty at all times," Nova replied.

"Deal," Jimmy said, then grinned. "Should I write these down on a napkin so we don't forget?" He shook his head. "Never mind. I don't think I have a very good track record in that department."

"I don't know," Nova countered. "I think it's going well so far, and I doubt either of us will struggle to remember a few rules."

"So, rule number one is complete honesty. What's number two?" Jimmy asked.

"No expectations," Nova replied.

Jimmy chuckled. "Yes. I definitely don't want you anticipating a proposal from me at the end of the summer."

Nova smiled, but he knew this was an example of Jimmy's naivety. It was highly probable that one of them would have a broken heart when the arrangement ended. Nova just prayed Jimmy was the one who walked away unscathed. "I would like to keep this adventure between the two of us." He tightened his hold on Jimmy's hand when he tried to pull back. "Hear me out, okay?" Jimmy nodded. "I'm not ashamed of you or what we're about to do. We're consenting adults, and it's no one's business how we choose to spend our time together. Too many people wouldn't understand, or they might assign more significance than what's there."

Jimmy expelled a sigh. "Like your mom."

"Yes, but also Millie. She asks about you every night."

Jimmy seemed to melt on the spot. "Does she?"

"She does. My daughter is obsessed with your hair, your spots, and your pretty eyes. She called me at eight thirty in the morning to talk about you. Much to Scott and Kai's chagrin, our little angel hasn't adapted to West Coast time yet."

"Wow, that's really early for them," Jimmy said.

"Yep, all to tell me you have sunrise hair." Nova tilted his head and fought the urge to tug on one of Jimmy's curls to see if the strands were as soft as they looked. "She's not wrong, you know."

Jimmy's cheeks turned a darker pink, and a sweet smile tugged at his lips. "I wouldn't hurt her for the world."

"I know you wouldn't, so that's why I think it's just best if we keep our adventures to ourselves."

Jimmy nodded. "Agreed. It's not like I want my mother or grandmother to know what we're up to either. Jesus," he said, rubbing his free hand over his face. "I don't want to imagine that conversation."

"So we agree on number…" Nova quirked a brow. "Which one are we on?"

Before Jimmy could answer, their server, Jazmyn, reappeared to take their orders. Rather than break contact, Nova kept his gaze on Jimmy when he ordered the protein special.

"I don't think that has the same meaning as you think, lover boy," Jazmyn told Nova. "How would you like your eggs?"

Grinning, Nova said, "Scrambled."

"Wheat toast, white toast, French toast, or an English muffin?" she asked.

"French." Why not? Nova's big plans for Jimmy would burn through a lot of calories.

"And for you, cutie?" Jazmyn asked Jimmy.

"Apple cinnamon oatmeal and a side of extra crispy bacon," he replied.

"I'll have this out to you in a few minutes," she told them.

"Big fan of protein?" Jimmy asked once they were alone again.

"I am, although I don't usually eat bacon, sausage, and ham in the same meal."

"Let's not forget the three eggs," Jimmy reminded him.

"I'm going to need the fuel for what I have planned for you."

Jimmy's brows shot up. "Should we discuss these plans?"

Nova shook his head. "Not until we finish setting the ground rules."

For the next few minutes, they took turns sketching out the boundaries for their journey of discovery. They agreed on exclusivity, no overnight visits, and that professional and familial obligations would take precedence over any plans they made.

"There's one more thing I want to add," Nova said. "This arrangement isn't just about sex."

Jimmy smirked. "It's not?"

"Your list wasn't just about your sexual conquests," Nova reminded him. "I want to check the other things off with you too."

"Fine. What ratio, though? Two to one in favor of sex?"

"Fifty-fifty," Nova countered.

Jimmy narrowed his eyes and studied him for a few seconds before saying, "Deal."

The guys didn't say much once Jazmyn delivered their food to the table. Nova had been reluctant to let go of Jimmy's hand, but he'd need both of his own to mount an attack on the food before him. The protein special consisted of ham, bacon, chicken sausage, three eggs, and a heaping pile of fried potatoes. There was enough to feed four people. Nova noticed Jimmy's attention kept wandering to his small plate of French toast. The two slices had been cooked to perfection, cut into four triangles, and dusted with powdered sugar. Jazmyn had also set down a serving tray with fresh fruit toppings as well as a variety of syrups and a bowl of whipped cream. Smiling, Nova forked two triangles onto his plate and pushed the rest toward Jimmy.

"I couldn't," Jimmy said.

"You can."

Jimmy tilted forward and inhaled deeply. "I shouldn't."

"You definitely should," Nova countered. "This summer is about pushing our boundaries, taking risks, and wallowing in indulgent pleasures." Nova smiled. "The latter isn't always about great sex. Sometimes a man just needs to eat some delicious French toast."

Jimmy's eyes widened, and he appeared to be hanging on Nova's every word. It was kind of a heady feeling; one Nova could become addicted to if he weren't careful. They continued to stare at one another until Jimmy blushed and looked down. A penny for his thoughts . Instead of teasing him, Nova scooted the serving tray with the toppings closer also.

"Fine," Jimmy said as he spooned strawberries onto his share of French toast. "We're working off these calories later."

"You can bet on it," Nova told him.

The blush never left Jimmy's cheeks while they continued eating and, in fact, got darker when they engaged in a tug-of-war with the bill.

"I'm the one who invited you, so I'm paying," Nova told him.

Shaking his head, Jimmy said, "No way. I'm dragging you to a car lot when we leave here, so buying you breakfast is the least I can do."

Nova leaned forward and whispered, "What's the most you're willing to do?"

Jimmy's mouth went slack, and his grip loosened. Nova gave the slip of paper a good yank and claimed it with a victorious smile.

"You distracted me," Jimmy protested.

Nova winked as he retrieved his wallet and pulled out enough cash to cover their meals and a generous tip. He took one last sip of orange juice. "Ready?" he asked.

Jimmy nodded and thanked him before they slid from the booth. Jazmyn blew them a kiss, and Edgar wished them a good day from a stool near the front door. He looked more like a bouncer ready to perform crowd control than co-owner of the diner. By the time they exited, the weather had gone from hot and humid to sweltering and gross.

"I read that we're supposed to have record-hot temperatures this summer," Jimmy said. "Sure as hell feels like it."

"Good thing you have a new friend with a swimming pool," Nova told him.

"That sounds lovely," Jimmy replied in a dreamy voice, then held his breath when he turned the key in the ignition. Bonnie fired to life on the first try, and Jimmy cheered and patted the dashboard. "You've been a good girl, and I feel horrible about what I'm about to do."

Nova bit his lip to keep from chuckling because he didn't want Jimmy to think he was laughing at him. Instead, he went with the super science-nerd response.

"Nothing lasts forever," Nova said. "Think of Bonnie as a badass supernova."

Jimmy turned and looked at him. "Isn't a supernova a dying star?"

Uh-oh. Maybe that hadn't been the right way to go. "Yes, but one that has survived in the solar system for billions of years."

"Don't listen to him, Bonnie," Jimmy whispered. "You're not that old." He smiled at Nova and added, "I understand what you mean, though. I took a meditation class at the Summer Studio. The instructor talked about mandalas. Have you ever heard of them?"

"They're intricate designs, right?" he asked.

Jimmy nodded, then shifted the car in to drive. "Yes. Buddhist monks spend all day drawing these breathtaking pieces of art in the sand, only for them to be washed away by the tide. It's a lesson in impermanence. All things end, so we need to enjoy and embrace them while we can."

"That's a powerful message," Nova said after a few moments. "I'm sure Bonnie would appreciate your comparison much better than mine."

Jimmy snorted. "Don't give up your day job to write greeting cards."

"Oh God. Can you imagine?" Nova asked.

The two men laughed for the remainder of the trip to the dealership. Once there, Jimmy took a deep breath and held out his fist for Nova to bump.

"Ready to negotiate?" Nova asked.

Jimmy nodded. "I read several articles offering advice on how to deal with salespeople."

"When?"

Grinning, Jimmy said, "Last night and again this morning."

While Nova had been fucking his fist or riding a dildo, Jimmy had been doing his homework. "Let's see what you got."

Jimmy took a deep breath, straightened his shoulders, and nodded. The two of them climbed out of the car, and Nova followed a few steps behind. He would always take advantage of scoping out Jimmy's ass, and he didn't want his smile misconstrued as ill-placed humor. It was pure fascination and joy.

His emotions amplified as he watched Jimmy work the salesman from their first handshake to their last. Derek had been a bit dubious at first. Maybe it was because of Jimmy's age or perhaps because of his vehicle trade-in. Either way, the salesman's attitude completely changed when he'd run his credit score and found out what kind of down payment Jimmy had to work with. Derek had ended up giving him a thousand dollars over value for Bonnie and had thrown in two years of oil changes and tire rotations, a bike mount that quickly snapped onto his rear hitch, free car washes for life, and a T-shirt.

The salesman followed them out to the lot once the shiny blue Subaru had been detailed and gassed up. "I want to get your picture," he said after handing over the keys.

"Oh, I don't know," Jimmy said, his confidence waning for the first time since they'd arrived.

"Come on," Derek said. "This is a big deal." The salesman looked at Nova and said, "Why don't you get in the picture with your son. This is a proud dad moment. You raised one hell of a negotiator."

Jimmy choked and sputtered while Nova glared at the salesman. As much as he wanted to be pissed, he technically could've fathered a kid at fourteen years old. Jesus. Derek looked back and forth between the two men with a confused look on his face.

"Oh, I messed up, huh?" Derek asked.

"He's not that kind of Daddy," Jimmy said.

Nova clamped his jaws tight to keep his mouth from falling open when Jimmy caressed his bicep.

"Oh? Ohhhhh ," Derek replied. "I understand." His smile looked forced when he again offered to take their photo.

"No, but thank you," Jimmy told him.

The salesman thanked him for his business, then beat a hasty retreat into the showroom. One could argue it was miserably hot outside or perhaps the guy was eager to celebrate his big sale, but they both knew better. Nova stared down at Jimmy, who looked exceedingly proud of himself.

"You should see your face right now," Jimmy said. "Maybe I should take your photo." He didn't lift his phone, though. He just kept grinning at Nova like a lunatic.

"You little shit," Nova said as he fought back laughter.

"Sorry, but surely you didn't think I'd let the thing with the list go that easily."

Nova tilted his head to the side. "This is your revenge for keeping you in the dark?"

"Maybe," Jimmy hemmed. "Regretting our agreement yet?"

Nova studied Jimmy for much longer than he needed to choose his answer. "No, I'm thinking about adding new items to my adventure list." The huskiness in Nova's voice made Jimmy's smile falter. "Get in the car. It's time to burn off those calories from breakfast. Let's head back to my place where we can be alone."

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