Page 58 of Fall for Him

“That was a lot of negatives. What are you even saying?”

Was wanting to strangle someone and being desperate to kiss them again at the same time some new kink Derek’s brain had concocted to torture him?

One of Gus’s normal grunting snuffles interrupted the moment.

The endearing flash of concern in Dylan’s face over something as stupid as Gus’s old-man-dog sleep apnea was more than Derek could handle right now.

“You should go.” Derek twitched his head at the door. “And also, maybe try not to accidentally steal my dog in the future.”

Dylan stepped a foot outside the door. “Kay.”

“And maybe look into whether some sucker stole your pictures to catfish people as Dylan G if you’re sticking with that story.”

“I’ll add all that to my to-do list immediately. Right after I fix your busted walls tomorrow. And here.” Everything about Dylan blazed.

A rush of desire and hope churned deep inside Derek’s gut.

But Dylan didn’t cross the room and take Derek into his arms for the angry make-out session Derek hated himself for wanting.

He tossed the gray canvas bag he’d been holding near Gus’s bowls. “I bought this at the pet store today to make Gus more comfortable in my car. It should fit yours too, but you should be careful because the strap is tricky and there’s a warning label.” There was an absurd hilarity in hearing Dylan angry-bark safety disclaimers about a gift like some kind of robot crossing guard. Like even at his most furious, he couldn’t repress helpful instincts.

Not that Derek was in the mood to laugh. “Cool.”

Dylan tossed a spare key on the bed. “I got this made for you for upstairs. Bring me your keys at some point tonight if you want me to be able to get into your apartment tomorrow for that first drywall stuff.”

“Kay.”

After several more excruciating seconds, the door closed behind Dylan.

He’d closed the door gently so he wouldn’t wake Gus.

What a jerk.

Derek’s phone buzzed, and he looked down. “Aw, shit.”

Chapter 21

JONI

You still coming to pick me up?

DEREK

I’m so sorry.

He typed out an explanation of everything that had happened this evening along with a few more profuse apologies.

JONI

No worries at all. You’ve got so much going on. If you send me the name of that new place your mom just found I can pick up takeout instead, if that sounds ok?

DEREK

You sure you’re good with staying in?

JONI

I’m tired too but not on tomorrow, so I’d love some chill hang-out time tonight. AND I’ve been really craving Korean food since we were talking about it today!

Source: www.kdbookonline.com