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stupid. I want to start over."
    Jason snapped on a pair of latex gloves and slid open the glass doors of the pastry shelf. He looked over the baked goods and chose a chocolate chip cookie, then placed it on the counter atop a piece of wax paper.
    "Too bad. But here, you can have a cookie."
    Chris grabbed Jason's right hand before he could withdraw it. Jason yelped, but Chris refused to let go.
    "Please, Jason. Listen to me. You don't understand. You're the only thing in this stupid city I care about. Do you think I stood out in front of the club every night because I'm stubborn? I want another chance with you. I didn't realize… I didn't understand how stupid I was being.
    "I'm probably being stupid now, probably ruining things with you like this, but I have to let you know that everything I'm doing -- everything I've done since that night -- has meant nothing to me. You're the only real thing here, and if I can't have you, I might as well go back home."
    Jason tried to yank his arm back, but his sleeve caught on the counter and revealed, in clumsy left-hand block letters, a home tattoo reading CHRIS. Jason slapped his other hand over the mark, but it was too late. Chris had seen.
    "Shut up."
    Chris couldn't breathe. "I didn't say anything."
    "But you're going to, and I don't want to hear it. I did it a long time ago , before I knew what an asshole you were."
    It wasn't that long ago. If he'd had any doubt that Jason had been a virgin, they were dashed now. Tattooing himself wasn't a rational act done by a scam artist. It was the action of a lovesick boy who'd just lost his virginity. Chris's heart felt like it would burst from how much he felt for Jason now. "Oh, Jason. Is that what you were going to show me?"
    "Leave me alone!" Jason tried to yank his hand away again, but Chris gripped the wrist with both hands.
    He leaned down and kissed the soft skin of Jason's wrist just below the latex. Then he looked up and around.
    "You got a job."
    "It's not a job . Coffee-making is my new hobby ." His lower lip trembled, so he bit it. Lipstick smeared on his teeth.
    "You're very good at it. Your coffee was extraordinary."
    "Seriously, Chris. Shut up."
    Chris frowned and released Jason's hand.
    Jason pulled his wrist to his chest as if he had been cut. "I have my own money now. I rarely steal people's hotel room keys anymore."
    "I didn't intend to change you." But Chris couldn't help his relief. "Your lifestyle was dangerous. Where do you live now?"
    "Why, so you can play scarecrow there?" Jason's hair fell in his face. He peeked up through the fringe.
    Chris detected some give and pounced. "So I know where to pick you up for dinner."
    Jason laughed and took a Bundt cake out of the case and then pushed it across the counter at him. "There's your dinner."
    Not the best sign, but Chris anticipated some sass. "Are you seeing someone else?"
    "What, so they could break my heart, too? Fuck you."
    "Please. Let me take you out. Give me a chance to make it right. I didn't mean to break your heart. I got confused. How was I supposed to know someone as magnificent as you would want to be with someone like me?"
    The ice started to melt. Jason cocked his head. "I suppose you have a point there."
    "It'll be perfect. I promise."
    Jason rubbed his bottom lip on his latexed thumb as he considered it. "All right, but I'm not telling you where I live. You may pick me up here tomorrow night at eight."
    "Really?" Chris staggered, light-headed. He had no idea what he would do, but he would think of something. Jason was everything he'd hoped for and more. It was quick, but New York moved fast and who knew how long Jason would be available?
    Pulling off his glove, Jason slung it at Chris. "Go away before I change my mind."
    "Okay, I'm going. You won't regret it, I promise." Chris backed away, knocking over chairs as he went. He didn't want to take his eyes off Jason in case he never saw him again.
    Jason laughed. "I regret it already, you klutz. Get