Reservations

Thane smiled. “Luke’s so excited about that. He asked me again if he got half off his meals. He can eat like nothing I’ve seen before.”

He grinned too, looking down at their joined hands. He firmed his grip and lifted their hands. This time he kissed Thane’s knuckles then took a deep breath and tackled the subject he’d been thinking about since Thane told him he was leaving. “Listen, I’ve got something we haven’t really talked about. I’ve been waiting. I didn’t wanna mess us up.”

“You’re being very attentive tonight. Maybe I should plan to leave more often,” Thane said and again drew him over by the bicep for another kiss. “What’d you wanna talk about?”

“That money you gave me that first night…”

Thane let out an audible groan and pulled away from Levi, sitting fully back in his seat. He kept his eyes on Levi and grabbed his glass, taking a long drink.

“No listen. I’m gonna leave it in the suite. I haven’t brought it up, because everything was going so well and it feels awkward to give it back to you, so I’ll leave it in the nightstand drawer.”

“Levi, please, keep the money. Let it be my contribution to your savings account. Or better yet, put your car in the shop for professional maintenance,” Thane suggested and then abruptly changed his tactic as he reached for Levi’s hand again, pulling him forward, kissing the center of his palm. “Please. I’ve done everything you requested, but you’re not looking at it from my perspective. I’ve refrained from buying gifts, we don’t take trips anywhere, we don’t have expensive dinners or really even go anywhere because the cost makes you uncomfortable, but it stinks for me to not be able to buy my boyfriend things I know he needs.”

“I’m not taking that money. I’m not going to. I was never going to,” Levi explained, and Thane clamped on to his hand as he started to pull away. “And I’m not taking gifts. That’s not right. I can’t afford to buy you things. You already pay for everything we do even when we’re all together. We’re very expensive when we’re together.”

“Baby. You’re killing me,” Thane whined leaning in toward him. Thane looked like he’d lost his best friend, and it did tug on his heartstrings, but he wasn’t keeping that money. Levi looked over his shoulder when his name was called. Julian gave him the cut sign, a hand cutting across his neck. He lifted a thumbs-up and started to scoot off the stool when Thane clasped his hand tighter.

“Here’s my counteroffer. If I take the money back, then I want you and your brothers to agree to move in with me. School’s out, you guys are there a lot all ready. It’s only a fifteen minute longer drive for Logan. That way you don’t have to take that second job and you can save money on utilities, things like that.”

That came so far out of nowhere that Levi stopped in mid-scoot, looking over at Thane, astounded. “We’ve been dating for three months. You can’t move in with someone after three months.”

“It’s been five months. Our first date was in March.”

“You work out of the suite. We can’t be there all the time,” Levi said.

“It hasn’t been a problem,” Thane countered.

“Thane, it’s a generous offer…” Levi started. He moved off the seat and stood. Thane hadn’t let go of his hand and tugged him around to his stool, drawing him between his legs. “Stay in the suite while I’m gone. We can start getting you packed up in our free time and another reason you shouldn’t begin another job. I worry about you guys over there. And this can be a test run, see about making it permanent when you move to Maryland.”

Levi felt his face go completely blank. Permanent in Maryland? Where in the world was this coming from? He may have managed a blank expression, but his heart began pounding in his chest. Thane lifted Levi’s hand, threading their fingers together, and kissed his knuckles.

“Nothing to say to that idea?”

“You already know we fit well. That’s never gonna be our problem.”

“Then what’s our problem gonna be?” Thane asked. His hands inched around Levi’s waist then slid down, lingering briefly on his ass before ending up on the back of his thighs, drawing him closer.

“When you get tired of all my boundaries. They’ll increase when we get to Maryland. You’ll get bored,” he answered honestly, but still wrapped both his arms around Thane’s shoulders, stepping in close. Thane made him feel wanted. Let him think everything would work out. He needed that more than anything.

“I told you, my eyes are wide open. I know what it takes to get through medical school. It’s long hours. You’ll need help with Luke. I’m in, Levi,” Thane said and rolled his eyes as he continued. “So in.”