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for Joe’s recovery.
    Joe stood framed in the doorway, wearing only sleep shorts. He was naked from the hips up, and his body…
    Elias couldn’t stop looking at the fur matting Joe’s chest and trailing down his stomach. What would it feel like scratching against Elias’s skin if they were pressed together?
    â€œAhem.” Joe coughed into his hand. His eyes sparkled with pride.
    â€œI brought you breakfast.” Elias’s voice came out a squeak, and he swallowed to force it lower. “You don’t have to eat it. Maybe you already ate?”
    â€œReally?” There was a hint of something in Joe’s eyes. Confusion? Surprise? But he seemed genuinely pleased.
    â€œJust some eggs and bread. Oh, and I got you yogurt, since you asked for some yesterday.”
    â€œThanks.” Joe gave him a smile that was slow and assessing. His lips were luscious and wide, forcing Elias to remember the way they’d felt on his own. “Come on in.” Joe got out of the way.
    Joe’s bed was unmade, the sheets crumpled. By the edge of his couch, Elias spotted a pile of discarded bandages. Though Elias itched to straighten the bed and throw out reminders of Joe’s injury, he went to the kitchen.
    â€œShould I put it on plates? I know you don’t have a table.” As Elias searched the cupboards, his hands shook.
    â€œThat would be great.” Joe pushed into the kitchen.
    Elias kept his attention on the food. “I brought some fit-fit too. It may be too spicy for you, but the smell is nice.”
    â€œMmmm… Ethiopian? I love it. Never thought to have that kind of thing with scrambled eggs.” Joe brushed up close as he reached across Elias to get a finger full of spiced injera. “Damn, that’s good.”
    Elias held his breath, unsure whether he was supposed to turn around. “Was that man your boyfriend?”
    â€œDan?” Joe backed away. “No. Not anymore. Not for a while now.”
    â€œOh.” Elias smiled. “Okay.”
    By the time Elias set up the plates and took them to the living room, Joe had sat on the couch and propped his injured leg on the coffee table. Elias handed him his plate.
    â€œHmmmm.” Joe shoveled a bite of food in his mouth. He ate the way he’d kissed, with a careful determination. “So, are you Ethiopian? Or do you live near a restaurant?”
    â€œBoth. But my sister-in-law made this. I can make fit-fit, but it’s not this good.” Elias took the spot farthest from Joe, not wanting to bounce the cushions and hurt Joe’s leg. “I hope I didn’t offend you…about the man you had over.”
    â€œYou didn’t.” Joe’s eyebrows drew together, but whether it was in frustration or pain, Elias couldn’t tell. “Dan was just being an asshole. He brought up this thing I have to go to next weekend.”
    Elias nodded.
    â€œHe’s getting married.” Joe continued eating, but his gaze had clouded over like he wasn’t enjoying the food anymore. “Next Sunday.”
    â€œAre you going to be able to go?”
    â€œOh, I’m going. We were together ten years. We’ve only been broken up nine months, and he’s marrying someone else.” Joe said it with anger, not sadness. Elias would have expected sadness.
    â€œHe met someone new fast.” Maybe for men like Joe this was easy. Elias couldn’t imagine being so free.
    â€œHe met the guy while we were still together.”
    Elias’s heart dropped. “Oh, no.” Without thinking, he reached for Joe’s hand and covered it with his own. They weren’t friends yet, but they were close enough to offer comfort.
    Joe looked down, blinking at Elias’s hand over his own. Elias’s fingers were darker and slimmer. Joe’s were pale, hairy in small patches. Strong.
    Slowly, Joe eased his hand out from under Elias’s.
    â€œDidn’t mean to unload on