Seven

"G ood evening, class. I'm Leticia Butler, and tonight, I'm going to teach you the basics of creating art with dip pens. We'll start with a brief history of the medium and go over the supplies you should have in your kits. Then we'll create some magic."

A loud hiccup pulled Jimmy's attention to the person sitting at the easel to his left. Jill was back with her Sonic cup. The woman's cheeks were flushed, but Jimmy couldn't tell if it was a side effect of the strong-smelling booze in her cup or the fact that everyone in the room was now looking at her.

"Oops. Carry on," Jill said, then toasted the class before taking a long drink.

Leticia smiled indulgently at the woman before moving on. "Dip pen art started in the eighteenth century."

Jimmy had already researched the history, so he allowed his mind to wander about. It didn't go far with Jill hiccupping again, this one much softer. Instead of marinating in his own issues, Jimmy wondered what her story was. None of the students or instructors seemed surprised by her behavior. While she wasn't falling-down drunk, she was tipsy as hell. His ever-present curiosity made Jimmy want to know more, but he pushed his thoughts aside because there was no room left at the inn. His brain was filled to the brim, overflowing even, with too many feelings, curiosities, ideas, and opinions. It felt like his filter was clogged on some days, allowing his private musings to spew forth.

Like Millie .

Reflections of his encounter with the little girl ultimately led Jimmy down a path to her father, and that's when he got into trouble. A spark of excitement ignited in his core when he thought about Natalie's and Nova's upcoming interviews. Jimmy knew the sexy astronomer wasn't as thrilled about the project, but he hadn't required much cajoling from his mother before agreeing. Jimmy suspected Nova's commitment had nothing to do with him, and his opinion wasn't just a product of his insecurities. He'd witnessed the bond between mother and son firsthand, not to mention the conviction he'd heard in Nova's voice when he said no one and nothing could come between him and his mother.

Jimmy sighed. He wished he and his mother could have the kind of relationship Nova had with Natalie. For it to happen, Georgie Lou would need to view him as an adult and treat him like one. Maybe that should be what Jimmy focused on while they were on vacation instead of crossing items off his summertime goals. Christ, he'd been so busy fantasizing about Nova that he hadn't thought about his missing list.

"Pssst," Jill whispered, yanking Jimmy back to the present. "Open up your kit. We're doing a supply check."

"Oh, thanks," he told her.

Jimmy returned his attention to the class. Leticia held up each tool and explained its use, making sure everyone had it before moving on to the next item. It could've been a tedious task, but she was a great instructor. Her pacing was perfect, and her love for the art shone brightly. If Jimmy hoped to write a quality piece for the paper, he needed to focus on her instructions.

It didn't take long for Jimmy to remember just how bad he was at art. Just because a person could follow step-by-step instructions didn't mean they'd produce something beautiful. Hell, he would've settled for toddler-level skills.

Leticia, who'd started moving through the room to offer tips and instruction, stopped at his easel and said, "Huh."

"Yeah. Not even my grandmother would hang this on her refrigerator," Jimmy told his teacher. "You don't happen to offer paint-by-number courses, do you?"

Leticia laughed and patted him on the shoulder. "Are you having fun?"

"Yes."

She tilted her head to the side. "Are you learning something new?"

Jimmy nodded.

"That's what counts," she said before moving over to Jill's easel. There, she gasped in surprise. "This is truly remarkable work."

Jimmy turned his head to get a view of Jill's canvas. "Wow," he said. The detail on her seagull was even better than the example Leticia was using. It was apparent Jill was a skilled artist. So why was she a tipsy student when she could be an instructor?

"You obviously don't need tips from me," Leticia told her before moving on. The instructor clicked a button on her remote for the next PowerPoint slide. "Let's focus our attention on the beak now."

Jimmy looked over at Jill's canvas and was blown away by her talent. "Your sketch is beautiful."

The woman met his gaze and said, "Thank you."

A few minutes later, Jill knocked her Sonic cup over, spilling ice on to the ground. She cursed and set her glass dip pen and ink bottle down.

"I've got it," Jimmy said. "You keep drawing."

He set his pen down and crossed the room to the sink area to grab a roll of paper towels. Jimmy glanced at the various sketches as he did, noticing that all of them were better than his. He hoped like hell he didn't have to display his work in the hallway outside the classroom like he'd had to do in elementary school.

When he returned to Jill's side, Jimmy noticed she was crying. "Hey," he said softly. "No crying over spilled ice cubes."

Jill released a noise that was part sob and part snort. It not only sounded painful, but it captured the attention of everyone around them. Other than Jill's impressive art skills, Jimmy knew nothing about the woman. It didn't stop him from feeling protective of her, though. He glared at the gawkers until they looked away, then cleaned up the ice mess. Once he wiped up the last of the moisture, he extended the empty plastic cup to Jill. It was so worn that the restaurant logo had nearly faded away.

"I shouldn't ask, but will you do another favor for me?" the woman asked him.

"Of course."

She took a deep breath. "Will you throw the cup away for me? I've been acting foolish long enough." The expression in her eyes was heavy. Was it remorse? Shame? Jimmy wanted to know, but he wouldn't invade her privacy during a vulnerable moment.

"Are you sure?" he asked instead.

Jill only hesitated for a second before nodding. Jimmy felt her gaze on him as he strolled across the room and threw the cup in the trash. When he returned, she mouthed "Thank you" before shifting her focus to her canvas.

Jimmy sat back down on his stool and removed his glass pen from the ink bottle. He'd missed the next section and worked hard to catch back up. What he lacked in skill, he made up for in creativity. His seagull had a different beak and wore a pair of sunglasses and a backward-facing ball cap. That had been his goal anyway. His finished portrait looked like a plague doctor masquerading as a tourist instead of a cute bird on the beach.

"Is your seagull smoking a cigar?" Jill asked when he was cleaning and stowing his tools.

He laughed. "Something like that."

"We met at Natalie Skye's class, didn't we?"

"We did," Jimmy said, taking one last look at his canvas. Their artwork was too wet to take home, so they'd pick it up at their next session with Leticia. Jill fell into step beside him, and they exited the classroom together. "I hate to be intrusive, but you're not planning to drive, are you?"

Jill shook her head. "Hell no. My husband will be waiting for me in the parking lot."

"Good."

Neither of them said anything else until they exited the building.

Jill stopped, forcing Jimmy to do the same. She looked up at him and said, "Thanks for helping me tonight."

"It was just a little spill," Jimmy said.

"It was so much more. Thank you for your kindness."

He hadn't done much, but he could tell it had meant a lot to her. "It was my pleasure. When's your next class?"

Jill smiled. "Next Monday. I'm going to attempt knitting."

"I'm also registered for that class. Save me a seat if you get there first. You can swoop in and save the day when I get tangled in the yarn."

The woman laughed. "You've got a deal. I'll make sure I'm sober so I don't accidentally nick something vital when I cut you loose."

"I'd appreciate it."

They shared another laugh, then parted ways. Jimmy kept glancing over his shoulder to check on Jill until she rounded the corner of the building. By the time he reached his ancient Buick, Jimmy's mind had already leaped ahead to his upcoming meeting with Natalie and Nova.

It had only been a few days since he'd driven out to Tybee Island for dinner at Dave and Natalie's, but Jimmy was just as nervous this time around. Maybe more so. The gap between visits was long enough to nail down a concept for his story, do some research, and draft his interview questions, but not long enough for his insecurities to clobber him. Until he pulled into their driveway.

Jimmy reminded himself that Natalie had plenty of connections with journalists, but she'd chosen to share her story with him. Doubting his ability also meant questioning Natalie's judgment, and that wasn't something he was willing to do.

Natalie was sitting on her porch when he rounded the corner of the garage, and her smile grew as he approached. "How was class?"

Jimmy held up his ink-stained hands. "Messy. Don't worry, they're dry."

Natalie laughed. "I'm not worried. Did you have fun?"

He wasn't sure "fun" was the adjective he'd use to describe his art class. "Eye-opening and fascinating. I found myself more interested in a student than the art form, though."

"Humanity is your preferred art medium," Natalie said. "What about this person captured your attention? Was he handsome?" Jimmy was caught off guard at first. How had she known he was attracted to men? Then Jimmy nearly laughed out loud because it didn't take clairvoyant skills to pick up on his attraction to her son.

Jimmy shook his head, then told Natalie about his two encounters with Jill. "I want to know everything about her. Why does she drink during class? Why did she ask me to throw the cup away? It felt symbolic somehow."

Natalie listened without commenting as they walked through her house. Dave and Nova were sitting at the kitchen island eating something from a bowl. They glanced up as Jimmy and Natalie approached. Dave smiled while Nova paused with his fork halfway to his mouth. Jimmy was tempted to snag the utensil and eat the chunk of yellow cake with chocolate icing balancing on it. Nova's eyes widened, and his lips parted. Had Jimmy spoken his thoughts out loud?

"You look like you got into a fight with a squid," Nova blurted out.

"What?" Jimmy asked.

"They eject ink when trying to scare off predators," Nova replied.

"Oh," Jimmy said. "Art class."

Nova smirked. "Ahh."

"Use your manners," Natalie said to her son. "I know I taught them to you."

"Sorry," Nova said, then forked the cake into his mouth.

"Do you have something at home that will remove the ink from your skin?" Natalie asked.

"I'm not sure," Jimmy said honestly. "What works best?"

"Tea tree oil," Natalie replied. "I have some upstairs. Let me go get it. You can clean up in the powder room."

After she left, Dave offered him a piece of cake.

"Sure," Jimmy said, hoping he sounded nonchalant instead of ravenous.

Dave cut him a huge slice, but he'd only managed a single bite before Natalie returned with a small bottle in one hand and a fist full of cotton balls in the other. Jimmy looked longingly at the cake until Natalie laughed.

"I'll guard it against Nova for you," she promised as she handed him the oil and cotton balls.

"Better hurry," Nova called after Jimmy. "She'll get distracted by Dad's charm, and all bets will be off."

Jimmy quickened his pace to the half bathroom Millie had shown him to a few days ago. He missed her bubbly chatter and wondered where she was. Jimmy flipped on the light switch and nearly screamed when he saw his reflection in the mirror. He had black ink smeared all over his face. It did look like he'd lost a fight with a squid.

"Holy shit," Jimmy groaned as he poured some oil onto a cotton ball and attacked the big smudge on his forehead. Nova's and Dave's reactions made perfect sense.

As Natalie promised, the tea tree oil did remove the ink. Afterward, Jimmy used soap to wash both his hands and face so he didn't look so shiny. When he returned to the kitchen, Natalie and Dave were slow dancing to a tune only they could hear, and Nova was eating his piece of cake.

Jimmy glared at the sexy scientist, who dared to shrug.

"I warned you," he said.

"Next time, I'll take the cake with me."

"A bathroom is no place for food," Nova countered.

"Okay," Jimmy replied, "I'll eat my cake before ink removal."

"You plan to wrestle a squid again?" Leaning forward, Nova added, "I bet you'll take him next time." Nova's proximity made Jimmy feel both hot and cold at the same time, matching the man's fire-and-ice gaze.

"Nova," Natalie said. "Are you eating Jimmy's cake?"

"Yep. I warned you people. It's been a long-ass day. I'm drowning my sorrows in baked goods."

Natalie cut Jimmy a hunk of cake that was nearly as large as his head. "Would you like ice cream?" she asked him.

"No one offered me ice cream," Nova groused.

"You know where we keep it," Dave replied.

Their familial banter made Jimmy forget all about the ridiculous condition he'd arrived in. "Just the cake is fine."

"You don't like ice cream?" Nova asked.

"I do," Jimmy replied, "but this cake is big enough for three people. I don't think I need the additional sugar."

A wry half smile played at the left side of Nova's lips. "If you don't think you can handle it…" he said, aiming his fork toward Jimmy's plate.

Jimmy moved his cake out of reach. "I can handle it just fine."

"Why don't you bring your cake and follow me," Natalie said. "I figured I would kick off the interviews up in my studio. I want to show you my charts and tools."

"Awesome," Jimmy said, unable to tear his gaze away from Nova.

"Would you like something to drink?" Natalie asked.

"We have water, milk, tea, coffee…" Dave rattled off.

"Milk, please," Jimmy replied. Nothing else went better with cake.

Dave poured him a tall glass, then he and Natalie headed up to her studio. The room was spacious and gorgeous with the setting sun streaming through the wall of windows. The doors opened onto a balcony offering an incredible view of the ocean.

"Wow," Jimmy said. "I don't think I'd ever want to leave this room."

Natalie laughed. "There were many times when I didn't." There was a hint of something in her voice that dragged Jimmy's attention away from the ocean. Sadness? Remorse? When he looked at Natalie, her expression was serene. "Sometimes I got so busy, I forgot to stop and enjoy this view." Smiling at Jimmy, she added, "A mistake I won't make again. Let's go out on the balcony so you can enjoy your cake. I want to hear all about your class and your new friend."

"I hardly know her."

"Yet," Natalie countered.

Jimmy regaled her with a recap of his awful artistic skills. Natalie doubted they were as dreadful as he claimed, but he had no intention of proving just how right he was by showing her the art piece.

"What's been going on with you since we last talked?" Jimmy asked.

"I'm trying to keep Nova from wallowing in misery while Millie is gone." The breeze picked up, and Natalie closed her eyes and tilted her head back. "Scott received a contract from Disney to work on an upcoming movie, so he and Kai are in California for the summer."

"Wow," Jimmy said. "That's an amazing accomplishment."

"Scott's a phenomenal artist," Natalie said. "I'm truly happy for him, but I hate what the separation will do to my son."

"Will Millie be in California for the entire summer too?"

"No," Natalie said. "They're starting off with biweekly visits, and if it works out, they'll switch to monthly transitions to make things easier on everyone. Camilla June will have unlimited access to Disneyland while they're there."

"Lucky girl," Jimmy said. "No wonder Nova is drowning his sorrows in cake."

"Mm-hmm. Scott flew out yesterday, and Millie and Kai left this morning. Nova felt better after hearing her voice on the phone once she landed. June Bug was so excited to tell him all about her flight. They'll still have their bedtime story routine to look forward to. I know it's hard on Nova, but the time will pass by quickly if he stays busy."

"Did you say Kai was Scott's boyfriend or husband?" Jimmy asked.

"Boyfriend," Natalie replied, "but I expect Scott to upgrade his status soon. He's crazy about the guy. We all are actually."

"Even Nova?"

Natalie smiled. "Yeah, even Nova."

Once Jimmy finished his cake and milk, he pulled his notebook and pen out of his bag. "Ready to get started?"

"I am. Do you want to go inside or stay out here?"

"We can do the interview out here, then move inside so you can demonstrate how you map birth charts."

"Perfect," Natalie said. "Fire away."

"We'll start with the basics. When did you discover astrology, and what about it appeals to you?"

"My first interaction with astrology came in college," she replied. "I took an astrology class as an elective, not realizing how much I would love it. At first, I just thought it was a cool concept. To think the alignment of planets and other celestial objects could impact our personalities and drive was just fascinating to me."

"I agree."

Another breeze blew in and a playful smile tugged at Natalie's lips. "And I'd recently started dating Dave, so I was in love with the idea of falling in love. The deeper I got into the subject, the more enthralled I became. I'm a student of human nature like you. At its core, that's what psychology and astrology are all about. It's why I used my two passions, science and pseudoscience, to develop a practice that delves deeper into the human psyche. For a person to become the best version of themselves, I have to know what makes them tick or how they react to certain situations."

Jimmy nodded. "Because a dozen people could react a dozen different ways under the same set of circumstances."

"Yes," Natalie replied. "It's not enough for me to dole out the same advice we've been giving to abuse victims for decades. I tailor therapy based on my patients' individual needs and knowing their sun signs helps me understand what works best."

"Fascinating," Jimmy said. "So how did you go from interested student to the most respected astrologer in the country—possibly the world?"

"You're too kind," Natalie said, patting his arm. "I started by mapping my own birth chart and learning the symbols for the signs and planets. A lot of this was taught in my class, but I read every book I could get my hands on. I made copious notes about the sun signs and the personality traits associated with them. Then I moved on to making charts for people I knew well. I joined groups and went to conferences. Eventually, I started speaking at these events to explain how I use the zodiac as part of my therapy practice. An editor from a big publisher was in the audience once and approached me afterward. She pitched a book concept to me on the spot, and I accepted. The rest is history."

Jimmy knew there was a lot more to it than that. After all, Natalie had disappeared from the public for a decade. Knowing why wasn't necessary to write his article, so he didn't ask about it.

"Did you know that you wrinkle your brow when you're wrestling with your thoughts," Natalie asked. "Is there something you want to ask me? I won't get mad because I can always choose not to answer."

Jimmy loved the easy vibe between them and wasn't willing to risk shattering it. "Nope. I would love for you to demonstrate how you create a birth chart."

"I'd love to," Natalie replied. "It's one of those dying art forms you were talking about. Everything is done on software now."

"Do you think it's accurate?" Jimmy asked as he followed her into the house.

"For the most part, yes."

Natalie stopped by a large drafting table set up in the far corner of her study. Along the wall, she had a deep set of bookshelves that were lined with numerous scrolls. Natalie took them out one by one and explained their uses. Jimmy had heard of Sun and Moon charts and the Ascendant or Lagna, but he wasn't familiar with the Navamsa or Fortune and the Chalit charts. She showed him the Ephemeris she used to determine planet positions and the Tables of Houses.

"Do you want me to do your birth chart?" she asked.

"Would you consider showing me how to do it?"

Natalie smiled. "I'd be delighted."

They spent the next hour using the various tools to prepare his birth chart. Jimmy was nearly euphoric when they finished. He wasn't sure what everything meant, and he probably couldn't do it again on his own if someone held a gun to his head. But the process was so cool.

"Next time, I'll go over what your chart says about you," she said, looping her arm through Jimmy's and guiding him toward the door. "For now, I'm turning you over to Nova." She winked and added, "You'll be in excellent hands."

Jimmy found Nova sitting alone on the patio. Like his mother, he'd closed his eyes and tilted his head back to feel the ocean breeze on his face. The sky was teetering on the edge of twilight. The orangish pinks had given way to purplish blues—light enough to highlight Nova's stunning bone structure but not dark enough to see the stars. A thick lock of his dark hair now swooped across his forehead, softening the sharp planes of his face and giving him an almost boyish appearance. Nova's stillness shattered the illusion because no child he'd ever met could sit so serenely.

Was he meditating? Jimmy had spent more hours than was healthy researching Tourette syndrome for reasons he didn't want to examine too closely. He'd read that mindfulness and yoga were recommended practices to help manage stress and reduce the severity of tics. Was that what Nova was doing now? Was Jimmy's presence or the looming interview making his separation from Millie worse?

Nova's eyes opened suddenly. Startled, Jimmy jumped back and clutched his nonexistent pearls.

"Ready for me?" Nova asked, a wry smile flirting with his lips. The question felt loaded, although Jimmy didn't know why. The longer he stared, the bigger Nova's smile grew.

"I think the bigger question is if you're ready for me," Jimmy replied.

Chuckling, Nova stood up. "Probably not. I'll give it my best shot, though. Why don't we take a walk on the beach?" He lifted a black case off the sofa and added, "Some things are better seen than explained."

"Hey," Jimmy said, reaching out to touch Nova's arm. He'd meant to simply stop him and let go, but it felt like he'd touched a live wire. Jimmy's hand reflexively gripped Nova's forearm, and the other man's heat seeped into his flesh, spreading outward from their connection. "We don't have to do this. You seemed uncomfortable with the idea, and I'd classify your agreement as reluctant."

Nova stared down at the point of contact for several moments before slowly lifting his head to meet Jimmy's gaze. The man seemed baffled but made no move to pull free. "My hesitation had nothing to do with you. I'm just overprotective when it comes to my mom."

Jimmy nodded. "I understand and appreciate your concern. I promise I'd never do anything to hurt her. I have no desire to exploit your mother if that's what you're worried about."

Holding his gaze, Nova canted his head slightly. Nova's pale-blue eyes felt like lasers, making Jimmy feel like the man could see directly into his soul. The silence stretched on like a taut rubber band until Jimmy felt like he might snap if Nova didn't say something.

"Maybe at first, I was worried about your intentions," Nova finally said. "Can you blame me? An adorable and seemingly guileless reporter appears in our lives…" He continued speaking, but Jimmy checked out after Nova had described him as adorable. A hand appeared in front of his face, waving to get his attention. "Where'd you go just now?" Nova asked.

"You called me adorable." It sounded more like an accusation than an observation. Jesus . Just broadcast your innocence like the Tybee Island lighthouse, moron .

Nova pulled free of his grip and took a step back. Jimmy could almost see his shields going up and was desperate to avoid it—professionally and personally. If Nova got defensive, the interview would be a complete dud, and he'd lose his opportunity to learn more about the aloof man.

"I think I called you guileless," Nova said. The fact that he wasn't aware he'd referred to Jimmy as adorable felt more important than getting Nova to admit he'd said it in the first place. The compliment had come from someplace deeper, and Jimmy was prepared to cosset the word like a treasure.

"Yes," Jimmy replied. "I must've misheard. I apologize."

Nova relaxed a little and nodded toward the deck steps leading on to the beach. "Shall we?"

He could prove Nova's feelings about the interview, or he could have a pleasant stroll on the beach next to the most beautiful man he'd ever met. He might be na?ve, but Jimmy wasn't stupid.

"Absolutely."

Nova's smile returned. "You'll want to slip off your shoes and leave them here. Otherwise, you'll be trying to get the sand out for years."

Jimmy glanced down and noticed Nova's bare feet for the first time. He removed his socks and shoes and tucked them under the sofa next to Nova's flip-flops. The deck was smooth and warm beneath his feet, so he wiggled his toes. "Ready."

Together, they walked down the steps to the expanse of yard that ended by the dunes. The incline to the beach wasn't steep, but Jimmy traversed it slowly, savoring the feel of his feet sinking into the sand. The salty ocean breeze kicked up, blowing his hair off his forehead. Jimmy closed his eyes, tipped his head back, and understood why Nova and Natalie did it. The sound of waves rolling into shore was the only thing Jimmy heard besides his heartbeat.

"I thought I'd show you how and why I got interested in astronomy instead of just telling you," Nova said. His voice sounded much closer than Jimmy expected. He gasped, opened his eyes, and stumbled into the man. Nova reached out and steadied him. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"I didn't mean to zone out either. You must think I'm a real ditz."

"I don't," Nova said firmly. "I just regret ruining the serene expression on your face. It's something I see on first-time beachgoers. You're from Savannah, right?"

Jimmy took a deep breath. "I was born in New Orleans, but my mom moved back home to Savannah when I was a baby. This is the closest I've ever gotten to the water."

"Oh, is it a phobia?" Nova said. "We can go back—"

"No," Jimmy said, stepping around him and walking closer to the ocean. He looked over his shoulder and found the man studying him. Good luck figuring me out . "This is exactly where I want to be right now," he told Nova.

The reserved man nodded, so Jimmy turned around and stared out over the ocean for a few minutes longer. The sky had darkened to a deep violet color, and the first hint of stars twinkled on the horizon. The reflection of the crescent moon shimmered on the surface of the water, beckoning Jimmy to test it out. Suddenly, swimming in the ocean wasn't enough. He wanted a nighttime swim under the moon and stars.

"You can get in, you know," Nova said.

Once again, Jimmy had zoned out and hadn't heard Nova approach. "I'm here to interview you, not splash around in the water." God, it sounded amazing, though.

"You can do both."

"At the same time?" Jimmy asked.

Nova shrugged. "Why not?"

"Do you mean for us to shout questions and answers back and forth? Me in the water and you on the beach? Or are you planning on coming with me?"

Nova replied by removing his T-shirt and tossing it to the sand, revealing a lean and ripped body beneath his clothes. He'd started to count the abs on display when Nova dropped his hand to unbutton his shorts. Jimmy turned around to give him privacy. Yep, still a nervous Nelly, spinster virgin.

Chuckling, Nova said, "If you plan on joining me, you'll want to strip down to your underwear too." Jimmy was both disappointed and relieved they weren't skinny-dipping. "Unless you're wearing white underwear. They'll be completely see-through, so you might as well remove them."

The rustling sounds ended and were replaced with feet shifting through the sand as Nova walked up behind him. "Either way is acceptable," he whispered in Jimmy's ear. "If you're feeling shy, I can turn my back until you're in the water."

Nova wasn't shy because he strode right past him wearing nothing but a pair of dark bikini briefs. He stared at the man's long, toned legs and firm ass until they disappeared beneath the water. Once Nova was waist-deep, he turned around to see if Jimmy had followed. "Are you coming?" he called out.

Not yet, but it wouldn't take much . Lust had Jimmy by the balls, making him feel bolder than he'd ever been in his life. This wasn't the time for words, so he pulled his shirt off and tossed it onto the sand. His fingers fumbled when he unbuttoned his khaki shorts. What underwear had he put on? He glanced down and saw he, too, had put on a pair of dark briefs. Jimmy shoved his shorts down his legs and strode toward the water like he was confident in his own skin.

He suddenly imagined himself wearing the sexy underwear he'd found during his recent internet searches. Felix hadn't been joking about their existence. What would happen once the lace or silk got wet? Would something like that turn Nova on or repulse him? Jimmy felt the man's gaze on him, and it felt as visceral as fingertips ghosting over his flesh. The breeze picked up again, cooling his heated skin and hardening his nipples, but did nothing to lessen his arousal. Desire hummed through Jimmy's body like a colony of bees.

The feel of sand squishing between Jimmy's toes heightened his senses even more as he'd approached the water's edge. The tide rolled in, and water washed over his feet. One part of his brain urged him to hurry up and get in the water, but the other part implored him to stop and enjoy each new sensation. So he did.

"Go ahead and ask your first question," Nova called out.

Jimmy looked up and met his gaze. Nova had taken a few steps toward him. Had he thought Jimmy had stopped out of fear? Was he looking to distract him? Getting an eyeful of Nova's perfect chest, ripped abs, and the V-cut in his abdominal muscles was doing a damn good job. Nova took another step forward when he didn't answer, allowing a few inches of his underwear to peek out over the waterline. It was too dark for him to see the outline of Nova's dick, but it didn't stop Jimmy's imagination. Unfortunately, that triggered a reaction within his body, so Jimmy forced his brain back to the interview and took a few steps forward until the water lapped around his knees.

"When did you become interested in astronomy and why?" Jimmy asked.

"Come a little closer," Nova encouraged. "I'll show you."

Jimmy waded deeper until he reached Nova. With their differences in height, waist-high for him rode much lower on Nova. He refused to look down at the man's crotch, even though his own reaction was safely hidden beneath the water. Jimmy was beyond semihard, and it wouldn't take much for him to reach full mast.

"Can you swim?" Nova asked.

Jimmy nodded. "I took lessons at the local pool as a kid. It was the only activity that came naturally to me."

"Swimming in the ocean is different, but I'm really experienced. Do you trust me?"

"How far out are we talking?" Jimmy asked.

"Just a little bit more. See that light over there?" Nova asked, pointing to the right.

Jimmy turned and saw the horizon was brighter in that direction. "Is it coming from the lighthouse I saw on my drive?"

"It is. If we swim out a few meters, you'll have a better view from the water. We could've walked to it from the beach but seeing it from the ocean is just breathtaking."

"I can't wait," Jimmy said.

Nova stepped deeper into the water, then began floating on his back, using his arms to take him farther out. Jimmy did the same, blindly trusting the older man not to lead him astray. When the clouds parted, Jimmy got a magnificent view of billions of stars twinkling in the sky. Pure magic.

"Are you comfortable treading water? I can be your buoy," Nova said when they paused.

Jimmy wanted to avoid brushing his hard-on against Nova at all costs. "I'm fine to float."

Nova pointed to the horizon once more, and Jimmy got his first glimpse of the lighthouse. The beacon at the top shone brightly, and other than the moon, it was the only source of illumination. The night sky reflected on the water, and it felt like he and Nova were floating in space.

"My mother and I used to take nightly walks on the beach. The woman was mad for the stars as you've figured out. She'd talk about the different constellations and the Milky Way, but she'd also delve deeper into the spiritual aspects of the celestial sky and what it represented. Those walks became even more important when my Tourette's manifested when I was eight. Talk about a confusing time. I had these sudden spasms in my face and lost control of my hands. While I didn't cuss or shout as some people do, I would make a low-pitched growl like a wounded animal."

Jimmy placed his hand on Nova's shoulder. He stiffened at first, then relaxed, so Jimmy left it there, hoping the gesture offered comfort.

"At first," Nova said, "the doctors tried to tell my mom I had some kind of palsy or epilepsy, but she was adamant it was something else. She kept taking me to doctors until she found one willing to listen to her. The problem with Tourette's, at least back then, was that there weren't a lot of treatment options available. We could've done heavy antidepressants, which they now know can be extremely dangerous for children, or we could've tried homeopathic options. As a psychologist, my mom wanted to try the latter option. If that didn't work, she'd give the medications a try."

"She's amazing," Jimmy said.

"She is," Nova agreed. "Our nightly walks on the beach became so much more than bonding time. When my condition felt so big and all-consuming, I only had to look up at the vast sky to realize how tiny and insignificant my problems were in the grand scheme of things. It helped me compartmentalize and analyze my emotions and circumstances, which reduced the frequency of my episodes. I was lucky enough to avoid antidepressants, and as is often the case, the severity of my condition lessened as I grew into adulthood. Stress will still induce tics, but for the most part, they're not very noticeable to other people."

"Thank you for sharing this with me," Jimmy said softly. "I won't be including it in my article."

Nova angled his body to look at Jimmy. "It's okay if you do. I'm not ashamed, and maybe my story will help someone else who's struggling." The scientist tilted his head. "Now that I think about it, my Tourette's is part of the reason why I became obsessed with celestial objects, but just in a different way than my mom."

"Why do you think that is?" Jimmy asked as he rolled onto his back when a bigger wave approached.

Nova chuckled. "My mom would list a dozen reasons why my star alignment makes me more scientifically minded, but I will tell you the truth."

"A crush on your science teacher?" he asked.

"No, but you're not far off," Nova said. "My middle school science teacher mentioned climate change and how it impacted the solar system. I decided I wanted to save it."

"So freaking cute," Jimmy said.

Nova chuckled. "Thanks."

"Did you—" Jimmy's words died when something brushed against his back.

He let out a high-pitched shriek and launched himself at Nova, who'd been lazily floating. Jimmy's elbow connected with Nova's midsection, causing the air to whoosh out of him. The taller man struggled to stay afloat as Jimmy climbed on top of him like a life raft.

"Save me," Jimmy whispered, plastering himself against Nova's chest. "Something swam up to me. Was it a shark? What about a jellyfish? Jesus, I don't want to die a virgin."

Nova held on to Jimmy and repositioned his body so that he was bobbing upright in the water. Jimmy's arms and legs became tentacles, wrapping around Nova's neck and waist and searching the surface for signs of danger. His gaze landed on a clump of something resembling grass floating on the water.

"Oh," Jimmy croaked out, feeling like the biggest idiot in the world.

Nova chuckled. "It's sargassum seaweed. It drifts in from the part of the Atlantic that many refer to as the Sargasso Sea."

"I feel foolish," Jimmy whispered.

"You shouldn't," Nova replied. "It's really dark out here. What were you going to ask me?"

Jimmy appreciated Nova's attempt to shift his thoughts back to the interview; it might've worked if the scientist's hands hadn't flexed against the rounded curves of Jimmy's ass cheeks. He'd been so caught up in surviving the attack that Jimmy hadn't realized Nova had shifted his grip below the waist. He was reasonably sure Nova wasn't aware of his actions either. Jimmy was enjoying his closeness too much to bring awareness to it.

"Nova! Jimmy! You guys okay out there?" Natalie's voice came from the shore. It was too dark for Jimmy to see more than her slender silhouette in the moonlight. "I heard yelling," she added.

"Christ," Nova groaned, dropping his hands from Jimmy's ass. Natalie yelled again from the beach, prompting Nova to respond. "We're fine," he shouted to his mother, then sighed. "She'll never stop now."

"Stop what?" Jimmy asked, forcing himself to unwind his arms and legs from around the man.

"Her matchmaking schemes," Nova replied, then swam toward land.

Jimmy nearly sank beneath the surface when his brain finally computed what Nova had said. Was Natalie trying to set him up with her son? He was flattered, but there was no way in hell a guy like Nova would be interested in Jimmy.

"You coming?" Nova asked. All traces of warmth had left his voice.

"Yeah," Jimmy said, then swam after him.

When they reached the beach, Natalie was nowhere in sight.

"I'm surprised she didn't set up a romantic table for two with a bottle of wine and candles," Nova grumbled.

He sounded so annoyed, and Jimmy struggled not to take it personally as he shimmied into his shorts and reached for his T-shirt. Was it the idea of dating Jimmy that pissed the man off or just dating in general? Was Nova still hung up on his ex? Just because Scott was ready to move on didn't mean he was.

"I think we'll have a good view of the Milky Way tonight," Nova said, his voice all business as if he hadn't been holding on to Jimmy's ass moments ago. "We just need to move a little closer to the lighthouse. The telescope I brought isn't as powerful as the one I keep at home, but that one isn't very portable."

Jimmy pulled his T-shirt over his head, then immediately regretted not waiting until his skin dried first. The fabric picked up a fair amount of sand, which had transferred to his skin. "Um, if you don't mind, I think I'll get going. It's getting late."

"Jimmy," Nova softly said as he stepped toward him. "I didn't mean—"

"It's fine," Jimmy said, cutting him off. "I have your email address, so I'll just send the rest of my questions to you, okay?"

Nova didn't say anything for a few moments. "Okay. Drive carefully."

It was such a dad thing to say, and it made Jimmy want to cringe. How young and dorky he must seem to a man like Nova. "Goodnight, Nova."

"Goodnight."

As Jimmy walked away, it occurred to him that the finality in their voices felt more like a goodbye than a so long.