Page 28 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Mano held his gaze, like he was still waiting. He reached for his coffee, fingers wrapping around the glass. By the time he looked back up, his expression had settled into something unreadable.

Chapter 7

Neither of them brought it up again on the walk back. Ody’s parents greeted them as soon as they walked in, just as Anastasia stepped out of her room.

“Hi, Mano!” She beamed.

“I’m here too, you know,” Ody muttered.

She ignored him completely.

Mano huffed a quiet laugh. “Hey.”

Anastasia lit up, spun on her heel, and rushed back to her room, already texting her friends in all caps that her brother’s hot friend had just said hi to her.

They walked into the room and lay on their beds, scrolling on their phones. Mano turned his screen toward Ody to show him a reel. Ody’s eyes followed it just as a DM from Ranya popped up. Ody’s expression stiffened, but Mano dismissed the notification so they could focus on the video.

“You’re not gonna open it?”

“Watch the video,” Mano said.

Ody clenched his jaw. “Open it. It might be important,” he said, a mocking edge to his voice.

Mano exhaled and went to his chats. He tapped on Ranya’s name, and a photo appeared that needed to be opened. Without thinking, Mano tapped it. The screen filled with a full-body picture of Ranya in black lingerie, standing in front of a mirror.

Ody’s eyes went wide. Mano quickly exited the photo as a message from her appeared. Just a little reminder of what you’re missing

“When did she start sending you pictures like that?” Ody asked, his expression hardening.

“Does it matter?”

“How do you reply?”

“By sending one back.” He started to get up.

Ody watched him pull off his shirt, his whole body tensing. “Are you serious?”

“What, are you shy? You’ve seen me naked before.” Mano’s tone stayed casual, but Ody shot him a sharp look. “Actually... why don’t you be useful? Take the picture for me.” He opened the camera and handed Ody his phone.

Ody stared at him. “You want me to take a thirst trap so you can send it to Ranya?” His voice dropped, low and serious.

“We’re just two guys fooling around,” Mano said. “So what’s your problem?”

“Get dressed. I won’t say it again.”

Mano scoffed. “What?”

Ody didn’t break eye contact, eyes narrowed. Then he moved. Fast. He grabbed him and crushed their lips together, driving Mano back into the desk hard enough to knock things off. Ody dropped the phone onto the desk beside him and pulled him closer, kissing him hard, all heat and urgency. He bit down on Mano’s lower lip. Mano jerked back, but Ody didn’t let him move.

“What’s wrong, mikre?” He smirked, breath uneven. “You jealous?”

“Shut up.” His hand slid into his hair, gripping tight and pulling his head back.

Mano’s breath hitched.

“You wanna send her a picture?” Ody murmured close to his ear, his grip tightening.

A sharp inhale caught in Mano’s throat, his brows pulling together for a split second.