Chapter 2

He looks at his reflection, water beaded on his skin and dripping from his dark hair. He doesn’t want to wake up Jeremy, but he knows he has to. Damn

If it wasn’t already quarter after five, if he didn’t have to be to work by six, if he didn’t have someone lined up to record first thing this morning…if, if, if.He’d like to climb back into bed beside Jeremy and kiss his lover awake. Reach between Jeremy’s legs and fondle him through the sheet, tell him to get up, up, upRemind him about dinner tonight.

But Blake’s running late.

He doesn’t bother shaving, just slicks back his hair with gel and dries himself off. At the last minute he thinks maybe he shouldshave—his chin is a little scruffy, and he knows his husband likes the smooth look. By the time he’s finished, he’s a little behind. Not even dressed yet and it’s already 5:30—he has to leave in fifteen minutes or he’ll be late, and didn’t he tell everyone he’d pick up donuts? He remembers telling Alecia he would.