by R. J. Scott
Abi saluted then turned to Nate. “Here to help, boss.”
Nate’s chest tightened. “Yeah, Thanks.” I think.
“Is it that one from the other day?” she immediately asked when Pops was out of earshot, then proceeded to ask a string of questions. “Or someone else? Wait, is it a man? Or did you find yourself a nice lady friend? Where? Was it on one of those dating apps Gregg was trying to talk you into joining with him?”
Did she even stop to take a breath?
“Yes,” he said and held her gaze.
“Yes? To which one?”
When he didn’t clarify his answer, she sighed. “Fine. I’ll shut up. Tell me what you need.”
Nate pulled out his phone. “I don’t know. But it’s yes to the first one. My date’s with Jared, the man who came to the bar last week.”
She grinned, looking pleased with herself.
“What I need is some ideas. I haven’t dated in… a long time and have no idea what I’m doing.” He turned his cell over in his hand. “Rhea, she knew I was useless at this stuff. If she wasn’t the one organizing things, she’d leave some very obvious hints lyin’ around.”
“The date, is it just dinner?” Abi suddenly sounded serious, though there was a soft tone to her voice.
“Yeah.”
“Hand it over.” She wiggled her fingers. “I have a couple of ideas.”
“Really?” He unlocked his phone and handed it to her.
She flicked her thumb over the screen. “Yep. I would have had a few more but you’d struggle to get a reservation now for Saturday.” She smiled. “Okay, how about this one.” They bumped shoulders as she came close to show him. “Everyone loves Italian.” She tapped the screen and the menu popped up. “I recommend the meatballs.”
“Ricci’s. Have you been there?”
Abi nodded. “My sister works there so I could maybe even get you a discount.”
Nate glanced at the website. Italian food could work. He just hoped any lasagna they served wasn’t of the crispy, burned variety.
“It’s a pretty new place, kinda out of the way, but the food’s good, nice atmosphere.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, and I’m not just saying it because my sister works there.” She laughed.
“Thanks.” He smiled. “Really, thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” She rubbed his shoulder. “I’ll go give Pops a hand. The phone number is on the website.” She tapped the top of his phone as she passed. “Need anything else, just let me know.”
Nate inhaled. “Okay. No putting it off.” He scrolled back to the restaurant’s home page and jotted down the contact information to make the call.
A few minutes later, he’d reserved a table for two and was sending the details on to Jared.
Sounds great, Jared messaged back, and relief flooded Nate.
He’d taken another step in Jared’s direction.
The next few days passed in a blur of work and Luka, and finally it was Saturday morning and the mission to secure Luka a new pair of shoes.
“Well, that was easier than I thought it was going to be.” Nate glanced at Luka who was sucking on a lollipop.
No way had that been enough of a treat for Luka to stare willingly at walls of shoes.
“Are you sure they fit okay? You didn’t just say that?”
Luka shook his head and swung the large paper bag that contained the boxed shoes as he walked beside Nate.
“If you say so.” Nate hugged Luka to his side as they swerved to avoid people coming from the opposite direction. “Is this because of the sleepover?” He looked down at Luka, whose lips twitched as he sucked his candy. “So that’s why you were on your best behavior? I already said you could go.”
Luka pulled the lollipop from his mouth with a wet pop. “We went into three shops. I tried on loads of shoes.”
“No. It wasn’t that many.”
“Was, too.” Luka’s brow creased as he complained. “You’re just being weird and forgetting.”
Nate frowned. “Three?”
Luka nodded.
“Really?” Nate rubbed his chin. “Huh?” His gaze drifted over the store windows as they walked. With a sigh, he slowed to a stop and stared at a mannequin dressed in a black paisley shirt and skinny jeans. He hadn’t even considered what he’d wear tonight for his date with Jared.
It’s okay to be looking forward to dinner, isn’t it?
“You’re smiling again?” Luka pointed out.
“I am?”
“Yes.”
“Sorry,” he said with a chuckle.
“Why?”
“Why am I sorry?” Nate queried.
“No, why are you smiling? You keep doing it and not listening to me and made me go into three shops.” He pouted.
“Okay, okay. I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.”
Luka narrowed his eyes.
“What?”
“Why?” he repeated, clearly referring to the way Nate had been acting.
Nate turned to stare at the mannequin. He hadn’t told Luka he was seeing Jared that evening. He wanted to figure out what, if anything, was going on between him and Jared before telling Luka more. Luka seemed to like Jared and Nate was sure he’d be excited to get to see Jared again, but if things weren’t going to work out between them, then he didn’t want to leave Luka disappointed.
“Dad,” Luka whined.
Was he being overly protective? “Fine.”
Luka brightened instantly.
“I’m going out to dinner tonight… with Jared.”
“That’s great.” Luka grabbed his hand. “Let’s go.”
“Go where?”
Luka pulled on his arm and walked toward the store doors. “You always buy me new clothes when I go to a party.”
“It’s dinner not a party.”
Luka didn’t seem to be listening and tugged harder, the doors sliding open when they got close enough.
Nate gave in and followed him inside.
“Let’s find the one in the window.”
“Let’s find a price tag,” Nate muttered to himself. He watched Luka’s back, the excitement radiating from him was infectious.
He’s smiling, right?
Nate’s heart swelled. After all, that was all he wanted—Luka’s smiles. He gripped Luka’s hand, his cheeks twitching as he felt a rush of emotion. His own smiles didn’t feel so bad either.
Luka bounced from foot to foot as he waited for Pops by the apartment door.
“Have you got everything?” Nate folded his arms and leaned back against the door jamb.
“Yes. Yes,” Luka said.
Nate shook his head. “Did you eat more candy?”
“No.”
“What’s got you so excited? You have stayed over at a friend’s house before, you know?”
Luka nodded. “But it’s been forever.”
“With good reason,” Nate pointed out.
Luka curled down the corners of his mouth. “I said I was sorry and wouldn’t do it again. And I haven’t.”
“I know. And that’s why you’re allowed a sleepover.”
“Maybe you and Jared could have a sleepover, too,” Luka said innocently.
“It’s just dinner.”
“Then next time I could stay at Auntie Lee’s and he could use my bed.”
Nate pursed his lips. “He could I guess.” He was relieved when the intercom buzzed. “That’ll be your grandpa.” He lifted the receiver. “Come on up.” He buzzed Pops into the building. “Are you sure you have everything?” he asked Luka.
Luka opened the door and stuck his head out into the corridor. “Yep.” He stood there and waited until Pops made it upstairs. “He’s here.” He went to dash outside, but Nate caught him by the hood of his sweater.
“Hold up, kiddo.”
Pops appeared in the doorway. “Hi,” he said and quirked an eyebrow as he watched Luka duck and twist under Nate’s arm, and ended up with his hood wrapped
around his face.
“Don’t ask,” Nate said and released Luka who dropped to his knees with a grumble.
“Wasn’t gonna.” Pops chuckled.
“Thanks for taking him to his sleepover,” Nate said.
“No worries. Was over this way anyway because of covering for you. Might as well drop this fella at his friend’s while I’m at it.”
Nate nodded. “You’ve been a big help.”
“You know you can always ask. Even adults need to go out to play sometimes. Isn’t that right, Luka?”
Luka stared up at them from where he had remained sitting on the floor. He clearly hadn’t been listening as he pulled a face before saying, “Yes.”
“Yes, what?” Nate met Luka’s eyes.
“Um, yes, please?”
Nate laughed and Pops sighed. “You’re both useless, the pair of ya. Come on, let’s get out of the way so your dad can get ready for his date.”
“It’s not a—” Why was he trying to deny it again? Was it for Pops’ benefit? For Luka’s? Or for his own? A way to keep his expectations low, to keep some distance between him and Jared? He was still scared to get attached to someone new.
I want to keep moving forward. The steps he’d taken… They couldn’t be for nothing.
“Thanks,” he said instead.
“Dad’s got a date,” Luka said. He chuckled, acting cute and embarrassed at the word date.
Nate reached down and pulled up Luka’s hood. “Both of you,” he looked at Pops, “just go already.”
“Make sure you wear it!” Luka said as he scrambled to his feet. He stood at Pops’ side. “Dad bought a new shirt. I picked it for him.”
“You did?” Pops smiled and glanced at Nate. “If you chose it, I’m sure Jared will love it.”
Luka grinned then jumped back toward Nate to wrap his arms around his waist in a hug. “Love you,” he said. “Have a good date.” There it was again, the cuteness, the childish smile and the puffing of his cheeks.
“See you tomorrow.” Nate followed them through the doorway. “Thanks again for tonight,” he said to Pops.
“Sure.”
“Bye.” Nate gave a small wave and watched Luka walk alongside Pops to the stairs.
And now I’m alone. Again.
Nate pushed the door shut and stood for a moment. A date. He was going on a date. Why was the reality of his situation only hitting him now? And why did he feel as if he was back in high school, his first date, all fumbling and unsure of himself?
“It’ll be fine,” he said on a long, exhaled breath. He pulled out his cell. There were no notifications. Everything was going as planned, right?
He sent a quick message to confirm he and Jared were still meeting at the station and heading to the restaurant together.
Yep. All good my end. See you in an hour, Jared wrote back.
An hour.
Their date was in an hour.
I need to get ready.
Chapter Thirteen
Something was different tonight. Jared had expected a quiet dinner where he’d get to know Nate better, maybe talk about the bar—and when they’d met at the station he’d seemed nervous, and Jared had to think that he just wasn’t ready to date again.
So in the space of the ten minutes they were on the train heading for dinner, Jared had worked it all through from Nate being a future lover to friend, and even though he had to fight the instinct to get another kiss, he was mostly happy with that. Nate had seen a lot, he was a responsible dad, he had bills to pay and a bar to run, and Jared could be a very good friend—people just had to ask Ethan.
But, by the time they’d reached the restaurant it was as if Nate was having some kind of similar internal conversation, only his upshot was that he’d given himself permission to relax and have fun. Over spaghetti, he opened up and told a hundred interwoven stories that revolved around Luka and the bar, and sometimes the stories overlapped. Jared could’ve watched him talk all night, note the way his eyes lit up when he was close to the end of a joke, or the pride that made him smile when he spoke about Luka.
Nate had a really beautiful smile, and there was no way Jared could handle being just friends. Friends didn’t want to back their friend into a wall and kiss them forever.
Waxing poetic now.
“Do I have something…?” Nate pressed the napkin to his face and went cross-eyed trying to check himself out.
“No.”
“It’s just you were staring, is all, and…”
Jared took Nate’s hand, lacing their fingers behind the jar on the table containing the mix of pasta that formed a display of sorts. No one would see them holding hands, not that it worried Jared, but Nate might not have wanted to even hold hands, let alone in a public place.
Only Nate didn’t pull his hand back, instead he squeezed Jared’s fingers and then carried on talking about the time that Gregg and Luka made a cocktail that was orange juice mixed with lightly smashed oranges, with a twist of orange.
“He was only six, and he brought it into the office for me, so proud that he’d made his first cocktail then he ran back out and fetched a napkin as he’d seen Gregg and me do.”
“Was it a nice cocktail?”
“It was very orangey, with a hint of citrusy orange.”
“Was it missing anything?” Jared encouraged Nate to continue with the joke, just so he could see Nate grin and then laugh.
“Orange?” Nate smirked as the waitress came over and removed their plates, leaving menus for dessert.
“Do you want anything?” Jared asked as he flipped to the dessert page with one hand, definitely not letting go of Nate. Well, not until they had to pay and leave, and then maybe there would be a chance to link hands again as they walked.
“I’ve never been here before, but Abi said they do this tiramisu cheesecake that’s really worth the calories.” He glanced at Jared. “Not that you have to worry about that,” he murmured, and then dipped his gaze, focusing on the menu.
“Nor do you,” Jared responded.
There was a moment when Nate worried the spoon in his hand as if he was making some monumental decision, but Jared didn’t get to hear it because the waitress was back. He opened his mouth to order dessert, but Nate beat him to it.
“Is it just me who wants to go home and…”
Did he mean go home and end the night or go home and whatever. When Nate squeezed his hand again Jared considered it was the whatever that was winning for them both.
“I want to.”
Decision made; Nate took charge for a moment. “We’d just like the check.”
The waitress nodded and was clearly trying hard to hide a knowing smile. “Any coffees?” she asked.
“We can get coffee at mine,” Nate turned to say that to Jared, and Jared’s libido perked up at the heat in Nate’s eyes. “If you like,” he added after a moment.
“Just the check, then,” Jared agreed, and thank god she appeared to understand where this was going because she fetched the check and brought the card machine with her. A few taps later and they were out on the sidewalk, bundled into coats and staring at each other in the light of the streetlamp.
“So you really want to come back for coffee, and by that I mean, kissing?” Nate asked hopefully. There was a boyish innocence to the man that captivated Jared, and then there was the heat in his eyes and the way he reached for Jared’s hand and gripped tight.
“Yes.”
“Just like that?”
“Uh huh.”
Nate tugged Jared to a waiting cab. “I’m not wasting time on a train,” he announced.
Jared climbed in after him, buckling up as Nate gave his address. “I like your thinking.”
They laced hands again in the backseat, sitting in a silence that Jared didn’t want to break because he didn’t want to spook Nate. They made it from the taxi to the front door without touching, and then when they were inside they didn’t jump each other, because this was going to be super civili
zed. With all of Nate’s worries and concerns, Jared sensed he had to tread with care.
“Nate—oomph!”
Nate was on him in an instant, stealing his thoughts with a heated, desperate kiss, and pressing Jared to the wall, hard and needy against him. This wasn’t a man considering what to do next, or deliberating with thought and worry, this was all about sex and lust, and Jared went from zero to sixty in a heartbeat.
“Off,” Nate demanded, and Jared could get on with that as Nate wrestled with their coats, and shirts, and unbuckling jeans, Jared getting in on the act as soon as he came to his senses. They kissed as they ripped off clothes, backed from the wall and down the hall to the bedroom Jared had half seen last weekend. “You need to be completely naked.” He shoved Jared toward the bed, then at the last minute caught him in a heated kiss, as if he couldn’t decide what he wanted to do.
Jared pushed his jeans down with one hand, toed off his shoes, even walked back a little to slip his socks off and then, nude, the two of them separated.
“It’s been a while—” Nate began, and Jared kissed away the doubt as they tumbled back onto the bed together, and landed in a tangled heap, hard against each other. “I don’t want to disappoint you.”
Jared kept kissing him, rolling them so he had the upper hand, groaning when they slotted together as if they were meant to be this close. He slid slowly, his cock bumping Nate’s, and watched every moment of Nate’s reaction and his soft whimper as he closed his eyes and arched up into Jared’s hold. If they weren’t careful Jared was going to lose it way too fast, and he wanted this to last. He slid half off, Nate chasing for the kiss, and Jared ignoring him, tracking kisses from his lips to his throat and then sucking marks on his skin, focusing on his nipples as Nate writhed under him. Then it was Nate’s turn to flip them, and fuck it was hot when he manhandled Jared and held his hands over his head. They kissed for the longest time, Nate pressing himself lazily to Jared, then backing off, his breathing heavy.