Page 104 of Bless This Hot Mess

Rino’s hand had already found the small of Japheth’s back, pulling him just close enough to feel heat through fabric, just far enough to pretend this was still restraint.

Then Rino broke the kiss with a low laugh, forehead resting against Japheth’s. “We’re not doing this under a bridge on date one.”

Japheth exhaled, half frustrated, half thrilled, “You’re the one who got out of the car to kiss me again.”

“I’m also the one trying to make sure thereisa second date. And one after that. And hopefully one after that.”

Japheth nodded, stepping back, though his fingers dragged slightly as they let go. “Okay. Fine. We pace ourselves,” he agreed, like a man agreeing to something he had no intention of fully obeying later.

Rino tilted his head and then playfully pushed Japheth toward his bike. “We pace ourselves.”

Japheth swung a leg over his bike, settling in, still watching him. “Get home safe, Ferrari.”

“Put on your helmet, superstar.”

Another pause as they grinned like goofballs at each other. Because of course there was.

“Goodnight, Japheth.”

“Goodnight, Rino.” Japheth pushed off, wheels catching the pavement and carrying him out from under the bridge and into the open night.

Rino watched until he disappeared and then climbed back into his car and ran his hands over his face but it was impossible to wipe away the smile.

The Maserati purred to life, low and controlled, the kindof sound that belonged to a man who liked power but preferred precision. Rino pulled out slowly, one hand on the wheel, the other still tingling like it hadn’t quite recovered from holding Japheth.

Rino’s thoughts slipped into rhythm before he realized it, fingers tapping once against the steering wheel.

“Against all odds, we stumbled.

Like shadows in the dark.

Against all odds, we fumbled.”

He shook his head slightly,“So much wood and then a spark.”

On the other side of the tracks, Japheth rode with the wind cutting clean against his face, the night air cooling everything except the heat still coiled in his chest. Japheth rode faster, not recklessly, just… alive. The kind of pace that came from not wanting the feeling to fade.

“Against all odds and the judgement we feared

Spent half our lives alone and lost

But somehow, we saved each other,

White knights with swords and hearts crossed.”

Rino slowed at a light that didn’t need slowing for, the empty intersection glowing red anyway. He didn’t mind.

“You walked into my home

Like you’d been there before.”

He could still see it. His mother’s face. His father pretending not to be impressed and failing completely.

“My parents gave their blessing

That’s when I knew for sure.”

The light changed. He didn’t notice right away.