Mikey and the Chickadee

Chapter 14 - Part 2

"It's so weird," I said into the soft tissue of his neck.

"What's weird?"

I paused to collect my thoughts. "It's just this feeling, like I've missed you, somehow. I've missed you so much."

He squeezed me more tightly to him. "I want to kiss you again so bad. I've wanted to since the first time."

My chin rested in the basin just above his collarbone. "I don't know if you're waiting for my permission, but you have it already."

"It's just...having been sick...I don't know."

I broke slightly away from him and went in. I pressed my lips neatly to his and ran my hand lightly over the clipped black hair at the back of his head. Through his white button-down, the muscles of his chest asserted themselves firmly into mine. Both of us were shaven now, but the new smoothness of his face against mine only fed my eagerness to feel him and know him in each embodiment.

My tongue did not meet with his. He seemed almost to melt against me for a period of several seconds, exhaling fully, a tiny shiver creeping through his back. He placed his hand on my shoulder, stepped slowly away from me and said, "I'm sorry. Sophie could be back any time."

"It's fine. I understand."

"I wouldn't be embarrassed," he said. "Not really. She knows now. I think I should be okay with her seeing. It's just that it would be a little awkward."

"You don't have to explain. It's okay, Mikey."

He smiled. "Man, this is still all so new to me."

"I know."

He paused. "Will there be drinking tonight? Maybe dancing?"

"Both are very likely," I said. "Does that work for you?"

"I think it will be good for me." He sat on the edge of his desk and looked down at his shoes. "I'm a little nervous to meet your friends," he said quietly.

"You don't have to worry. They're really nice. It's just two of them—Marie and Sloan. They'll be glad to meet you."

"You're sure? I feel like I'm barging in on your personal life a little."

"You're not, I promise. That's not how it feels to me, okay?"

"Okay," he said. "And you and me—when you introduce me, I mean...we're just..."

"We're friends. You're my friend, Mikey."

He looked relieved. "Alright. Sorry. I know, I'm overthinking things. I always do that."

"Yes," I said. "Me too. I'm trying not to."

"It's hard, isn't it?"

"Fucking impossible."

He laughed a little, then reached out and grabbed my arm. "What's going on under this suit?" he asked, grabbing my bicep firmly in his hand.

"I would really like to show you," I said.

"Oh, man," he said. "Fuck, it's been so long. You'll have free time this weekend, right?"

"I've got plenty of time. You just focus on work right now. I'll be around. We can spend the weekend together if that's what you want."

"That's pretty much what I want."

"Then I'm yours," I said, and told him I should get going. "Text me when you can meet us, okay?"

"Alright, I will."

We said our goodbyes and I left him alone to work. The elevator door opened up to the lobby, where Sophie stood waiting.