Some Like It Hopeless (A Temporary Engagement) by Megan Bryce Read Free Book Online

and he has a scar.’”
    Christian sighed. “Shane.”
    Shane sighed. “Christian.”
    “I would love to meet your friends, I would love to be one of those friends. But you want more than that.”
    Shane nodded. He wasn’t going to lie about it. “I do. And so do you. You just won’t let yourself.”
    He grabbed Christian’s hand, holding on even though it was tense, even though Christian jerked. “So, I’ll take friends. For now.”
    Christian pulled at his hand. “And this is being friends?”
    “Yes. I hold Cass’s hand.”
    “This is different.”
    It was different. And it wasn’t because their attraction was one-sided, either.
    But Christian couldn’t say it. Couldn’t say that he was attracted to Shane.
    “Come meet my friends, Chris. ‘Resistance is futile.’”
    And there was that pinched smile again on Christian’s face. Like he thought Shane was wonderful and fun, he just didn’t think he should think it.
    Should, should, should.
    Oh, how Shane hated should. Shane wondered just who came up with all these shoulds.
    Shane stayed silent, hard though it was, and let Christian fight himself.
    Christian finally said, “Don’t think that you can quote Star Trek at me and get me to do whatever you want.”
    Shane sighed theatrically and tugged Christian out the door. “‘I find your lack of faith disturbing.’”
    Christian’s smile was a little bigger, the pinch a little smaller, and Shane said, “I know. You prefer Star Wars.”
    When they got to the car, Shane let go of Christian’s hand, and it wasn’t his imagination that the contact lingered; the reluctance to let go wasn’t one-sided.
    Shane decided he wasn’t beating his head against a door that would never open. He just was beating his head against a door that might not ever open.

    Kenny and Tom were already at brunch, sitting down side by side. They’d been “married” for years. Years before it had been legal for them to be, and they’d been one of the first couples in California to tie the knot when the state had granted them the privilege. The first time around.
    They’d cried for the other couples who had missed their chance when it had been taken back, and cheered yet again when the Supreme Court upheld the decision that Proposition 8 was unconstitutional.
    Kenny always said it was necessary to be a lawyer if you were gay today, so you could understand what was going on. Or “married” to one. Or, finally, married to one.
    Shane bent to kiss their cheeks. Kenny, looking like he’d rather be in Hawaii, his brightly colored shirt sporting parrots. Tom in his double-breasted suit, even on a Sunday.
    Tom patted his mouth tidily and peered at Christian. “And who is this? I was preparing myself for Cassandra’s sarcastic comments.”
    Kenny chortled. “You mean, coming up with your own. But put them away for now because this looks like a nice young man.”
    Shane held a chair out for Christian, and he was not the only one at the table who noticed the pause before Christian took it.
    “This is Christian. And he is a nice, young man. From Utah.”
    Kenny’s eyes flicked down to Christian’s plaid shirt. “Utah!”
    Tom said, “A sad business there right now.”
    Christian said, “I do think most people were surprised when gay marriage became legal. I would have sworn it would be the last state to extend marriage to same-sex couples.”
    Tom agreed. “They passed a law to prohibit it.”
    Kenny said, “But it is exactly what happened in California. It shouldn’t be too long before it is legal again.”
    “It took five years to make its way through the courts for California. I doubt it will happen any faster for Utah.”
    Kenny sipped his cappuccino and slipped his hand into Tom’s. “Five long years. But for a moment, all things were possible, and some couples were able to take advantage.” He sighed. “When we heard the news, I was so excited but Tom said to wait and watch. I detest when he is right.”
    Tom