Page 165 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“I don’t even know if there’s anything left to fix.” He dragged a hand over his face. “But I can’t just… walk away from it either. Do you think…” He stopped, then forced it out. “Do you think we’re past fixing this?”

Mano didn’t move. Just watched him.

“If you can’t forgive me…” Ody added, quieter now, “I’ll understand.”

Mano’s eyes stayed on him, his expression unreadable.

Ody studied his face, trying to read him. “Mano… Do you think we can try again?” He held his gaze, waiting.

But Mano gave him nothing.

“Because I want to,” he said. “I know it won’t be easy. But I can’t walk away from you.”

Mano’s lips parted, but nothing came out.

“You?” Ody asked, barely above a whisper.

“I don’t know… I feel numb.”

“I felt like that too. After you ended things. It hurt so bad I thought it would break me.”

Neither of them said anything. They just looked at each other, Ody trying to read what Mano wouldn’t say.

“I had to lose you to realize what you mean to me,” Ody said. “And I’m not losing you again.”

Mano’s eyes stung.

“I’m done running from it. From you.” His gaze held. “You’re who I want. I don’t care how hard this gets. I’m not walking away this time.” He leaned forward. “Do you want us?” He searched his eyes, but he couldn’t read him. He didn’t move. Didn’t look away. It felt like he’d pushed too far. Like he was the only one who wanted this.

Mano’s hand came up, brushing his cheek. Ody’s breath hitched. His gaze flicked between his eyes, his pulse racing. Mano pulled him in, wrapping his arms around him.

Ody let out a deep, unsteady breath, eyes closing as he held him tight. “I love you,” he whispered. Mano held him closer.

They just stayed there, holding on to each other, neither willing to let go.

Mano pulled back, just enough to look at him.

“Tell me you want us,” Ody said, the words catching in his throat.

Mano stared into his teary eyes, then nodded.

Ody cupped his face and pulled him into a kiss. Mano kissed him back just as hard, all the restraint gone.

They held on like they weren’t letting this go again.

Like they’d finally found their way back to each other.

Chapter 34

Their mouths moved together, slow, both of them still catching up to the moment. Ody’s hand slid into his hair, keeping him close like he needed to make sure he was real. “I missed you so much...” he whispered, his thumb brushing beneath Mano’s eye. “I thought I lost you.”

“I thought so too…” Mano murmured, not looking away.

Ody leaned in again, softer this time. Their lips met, lingering, familiar. Their tongues brushed, and he felt it everywhere, the way he always did with him. Mano’s hands settled at his waist without thinking, pulling him closer.

When they finally broke apart, Ody didn’t move far. “How much have you had to drink?” he asked, his voice low. “Did you eat anything?”

His stomach rumbled at the reminder. “I’m… hungry. I think.”