Page 175 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Mano’s expression softened, his fingers sliding through Ody’s hair.

Before heading home, Ody stepped into a jewelry store. While he waited, he glanced around, scanning the displays. His attention drifted to a magazine on a small table. He flipped through it lazily at first, then slowed. A dark-haired man on one of the pages wore a small silver hoop with a delicate cross hanging from it. Ody leaned in, his gaze lingering on the earring. He could already picture it on Mano.

“Hello. How can I help you?”

Ody looked up. “Hi. Do you have these earrings?” he asked, pointing at the page, his eyes lighting up.

“Of course.” She moved behind the counter, slipping them into a soft black pouch before placing them in a box.

As she moved, something else caught his eye. A pair of black hoops in the glass case. Thicker. Sharp. Hugging the lobe. Very Mano.

“I’ll take those too.”

Lower in the display, a few silver rings caught his attention. He leaned in, scanning them, his gaze slowing on one. A smooth band. Balanced. Not too thin, not too bold. He picked it up, turning it between his fingers. “I’ll take this one too.”

By the time he left the store, he was practically vibrating with excitement. When he got home, he picked up the guitar and practiced.

Meanwhile, Mano sat at his desk, headphones on, working through a track. He played it, tweaked it, then played it again. His phone buzzed.

Odysseus: Do you wanna go out tomorrow night? Somewhere nice

Mano glanced at the screen, his thumb hovering before he typed back. When you say somewhere nice? His phone buzzed again before he could even set it down.

Odysseus: For dinner, for drinks… whatever you want

Mano leaned back in his chair. So I have to dress fancy?

Odysseus: Not too fancy. Just don’t show up in sweatpants. Though you’d still be a total snack. He added a heart-eyes emoji at the end.

Mano let out a quiet breath, a small smile tugging at his lips before he caught himself. Behave mikre

Odysseus: I die every time you call me that. A drooling emoji followed.

Mano stilled, staring at the screen. He could almost hear him, see the look on his face. Pick me up at 9

A few seconds passed.

Odysseus: Yes baby. This time with a heart emoji.

Mano’s gaze lingered on that last word, his stomach fluttering. He locked his phone and set it aside, forcing himself back to the music.

The next evening came fast. Mano stood in front of his closet, scanning his options. When he finally stepped out of the building, Ody lowered the window and leaned out. “What’s up, hottie!”

Mano froze, eyes flicking around the street before he hurried to the car. He slid into the passenger seat and punched Ody in the chest. “Shut up, idiot.”

Ody laughed, his hand coming up to the back of Mano’s neck as he leaned in. Mano caught his wrist and pushed him back. “Not here,” he muttered, glancing outside.

Ody’s smile faded.

At the restaurant, the hostess greeted them, then led them to a table.

“Do you have something by the window?” Ody asked.

Mano glanced at him.

“Of course. Right this way.”

They followed her to a quieter corner. “Thank you,” Ody said.