by Lane, Shawn;
“I live in Glendale. My mom’s house is also in Glendale, a few blocks from mine.”
Drew bit his lip and shook his head. “Oh, God, Mark, I’m sorry.”
“What?” He glanced sharply at Drew.
“I made you come all this way to pick me up. I could have driven there. This is totally out of your way. Shit, now I feel bad.”
“Please, don’t. I wanted to pick you up. I’m the one who suggested it.”
Drew sighed. “I should have asked more questions. I’m really sorry.”
“Drew, calm down. I’m serious. I wanted to pick you up.”
He nodded. It was true he would have felt bad if they’d been actually going on a date, but with Mark not wanting anything other than friendship it just seemed wrong. Still there was no point harping on it if Mark wanted to insist he didn’t mind.
The Glendale neighborhood where Mark’s mother lived was a typical suburban area, with single-story homes and manicured lawns. Lining Mark’s mother’s house were rose bushes, pansies, and gladiolas.
“Does she have a gardener?” Drew asked, getting out of the car.
“No, she does all that herself.”
“Wow, gorgeous.”
He followed Mark up the cobbled lane, glancing at the flowers as he went. Before he entered high school, Drew had wanted to be a florist. That goal changed, as most childhood dreams do, but he still greatly admired flowers.
Mark tapped lightly on the front door and opened it. “Mama? We’re here.”
Drew heard drawers closing in the house and then footsteps approach just before a rather short, slightly rounded black woman appeared to greet them. Her salt and pepper hair had been pulled into a tight bun. Around her waist she’d tied an apron decorated with cherries that covered a denim dress.
Mark kissed both her cheeks. “Mama, this is Drew Richards. Drew, this is my mother, Margaret Stevens.”
Drew offered his hand and a smile. “How do you do, Mrs. Stevens?”
She shook his hand gently and then glanced at Mark. “Very polite, this one. I like him already.”
He could feel himself blush. Damn fair skin.
“What can I get you to drink, Drew?” Mark asked as the three of them walked down the hallway toward the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator. “There’s white zinfandel, iced tea, beer, soda, and lemonade.”
“A glass of the white zinfandel would be nice, thank you.”
Mrs. Stevens smiled broadened. “Where did you and Mark meet, Drew?”
“A Memorial Weekend get-together.”
Mark handed him a glass of wine. “Nathan Llewellyn had a party and we were both invited. Drew’s best friend is Nathan’s half-brother.”
“Oh, how nice. And you’ve been seeing each other since?”
Drew had just raised the glass of wine to his lips. He lowered it. “No, ma’am. We’re not seeing each other.”
“Oh?” She raised an eyebrow.
He nodded. “Just friends. We meet for coffee once a week. That’s all.”
Mrs. Stevens looked to her son, but his head was in the refrigerator. When he emerged he held a beer.
Mark smiled. “So, is it just the three of us or are you expecting more?”
“No, just us three. I thought it would be better to keep it small to get to know your new friend better,” Mrs. Stevens said. “I’m fixing a lasagna, so I hope you like Italian.”
“Oh, yeah, that sounds great.”
“Drew, why don’t I show you out to the patio? We can sit there for a bit before dinner.” Mark closed his hand over Drew’s arm and led him outside through a sliding glass door.
The covered patio contained a long glass table with several cushioned plush looking chairs around it. It overlooked a decent sized backyard that was lush and green with more flowers lining the back fence.
“This is really nice,” Drew said, plopping down in a chair.
“My house is pretty similar although I don’t have the green thumb Mama has. I have nice lawns I pay gardeners to take care of, but not much in the way of flowers or other plants.”
The sliding door opened.
“Mark, can you come in here for just a moment?” Mark’s mother asked from the doorway.
Mark smiled. “Be right back.”
* * * *
Mark eyed his mother with no little trepidation. Whenever she used that voice, he might as well be a small boy again. He was tempted to hang his head in shame as he stood before her in the kitchen. A hard-nosed attorney like him reduced to a puddle of goo by his little mother.
He forced what he hoped was an easy smile. “You wanted to see me, Mama?”
His mother had taken out a box of frozen garlic bread from the freezer and was getting ready to put it on a cookie sheet.
“I’m just surprised. I thought when you told me you were bringing Drew here it was a reason for some optimism.”
“It’s complicated.”
“It is? I don’t know about that. Why does he think you’re only friends?”
“We are.”
She laughed. “Don’t give me that. I saw the way you looked at him. You’re attracted to him. He’s cute. What’s the problem?”
Mark sighed. “I don’t think I’m ready.”
Her expression became serious. “Collin’s been gone for a long time, honey.”
Even his late lover’s name caused an overwhelming sadness to wash over him. “I know. But it still hurts.”
“I expect it always will. Mark, we all loved Collin, you know that. I don’t think I ever met a sweeter boy than him. But Collin loved you and he wouldn’t want you to spend the rest of your life mourning him.”
He swallowed the heavy lump in his throat, but it didn’t help much. His throat still clogged. “You’re probably right. It’s still hard.”
“Anything worth doing usually is. I don’t know Drew yet, but he seems nice and I think he likes you. And more than that, I think you like him.”
“Yeah,” he admitted.
She smiled and gave him a brief hug. “Then give it a chance. See where it goes. Maybe nowhere. But I’d hate for you to think back to Drew ten years from now and wish maybe you’d have tried.”
He took the cookie sheet from her and set it in the oven. “You’re always right, Mama. You know that.”
“Exactly. So why even try to fight me?”
Mark laughed. “God knows. Need help with anything?”
“No, you go on back outside with Drew.”
* * * *
Mark pulled up in front of Drew’s parents’ house. The evening had been great. After his mother’s fabulous lasagna, they’d played Trivial Pursuit. Naturally, his mother had beaten them both.
Drew opened the passenger door almost before he’d stopped the car. “Hey, thanks, Mark, I had a great time. It was really fun.”
“Yeah, it was. I think Mama really liked you.”
“She was very cool. And dinner was good, too. See you Wednesday?”
“Well, sure, but—”
Drew was already headed up the walkway to the house.
Mark shut off the engine and got out. “Drew, wait up.”
He ran up to the front door where Drew waited, looking very perplexed under the porch light.
“What is it?”
“Only this.” He rubbed the tip of his thumb along Drew’s bottom lip. Drew’s lips parted in surprise. Mark leaned forward and covered the man’s mouth with his, kissing him slow and with just a touch of pressure. Drew tasted of the vanilla mint gum he’d been chewing in the car. Wrapping his arms around Drew’s waist, he pulled him against him and deepened the kiss. When Drew gasped for breath, Mark released him. “Good night, Drew.”
Drew touched his lips, staring wide-eyed at Mark. “Good night.”
Chapter 5
Drew was surprised to find Mark already waiting at their table on Wednesday when he arrived at the coffee place. Not only that, Mark had already bought both their coffees.
He hadn�
�t really gotten over the shock of Mark kissing him when he’d dropped him off at home. Talk about mixed signals.
He approached the table with a bit of trepidation. “Uh, hi.”
“Hey, you. I got your coffee.”
Drew nodded and sat across from him. “I see that. Thank you.”
“I got it, put your money away,” Mark said when Drew reached for his wallet out of the back pocket of his jeans.
He took a sip and noticed Mark had made it exactly how he liked it. Apparently the man had been paying attention. Clearing his throat, he said, “How have you been?”
“Pretty good. Listen, I’d like to talk to you about Saturday.”
Drew blew out a breath. “Yeah, I thought you might. No worries. I didn’t think much about it.”
Mark frowned and loosened his pale yellow tie. “You…you didn’t?”
He shrugged. “As far as I’m concerned it was nothing.”
“Oh.” Mark’s gaze skittered away to stare at other patrons. His mood, which had just a minute ago been almost chipper, now seemed gloomy. He toyed with the lid of his coffee.
Drew bit his lip and reached for Mark’s hand. “Well, unless, I’m just confused.”
“You didn’t like it at all?”
“What?” Drew frantically shook his head. “Are you kidding? No.”
“I see.” Mark tugged on his hand.
“No, I mean…God, I’m really screwing up here. I did like it, Mark. A lot.”
“But you just said you didn’t think much of it.”
Drew smiled. “Yes, because I thought you didn’t want me to think anything of it.” He laughed. “I have a feeling we’re going around in circles. I loved the kiss. I was just surprised given that we’re just friends. Aren’t we?”
“I thought that’s what I wanted at first. Now, I’d like to see if we can’t be more. Drew, can I take you out Friday night? On a real date?”
He felt pretty damn good all of a sudden and he realized he was nodding rather enthusiastically. His cheeks heated, but he didn’t care. “I’d love it.”
“Great. How does dinner and a movie sound?”
“Terrific. I’ll meet you somewhere so you don’t have to come all the way out to Newport Beach.”
“I don’t mind,” Mark assured him.
“I know, but I’d still feel better if I didn’t make you drive out here on a work night. I’m probably costing you a fortune in gas with all these coffee trips. How about your law firm? I could meet you there, right?”
Mark nodded. “Yeah, that sounds perfect. I’ll write the address down for you. Come by at six.”
* * * *
“Can I help you?” the receptionist at Anderson, Llewellyn and Stevens asked when he came into the office Friday night a few minutes prior to six. She flashed him a welcoming smile, but then frowned when her eyes drifted to the clock on the wall behind his head. “It’s getting rather late, did you have an appointment?”
“Yes. I’m here to see Mark Stevens.”
The receptionist, a pretty brunette, sat behind one of those big round credenza type desks that curved protectively from one end to the other. On either side were hallways, Drew assumed, that led to the rest of the firm. He vaguely recalled Nathan Llewellyn mentioning at the Memorial Day weekend barbecue that they’d remodeled much of the offices over the last month or two. Not that he’d ever been to the old offices.
Her fingers furiously flying, she said, “Name, please.”
“Drew Richards.”
“R-I-C-H-A-R-D-S?”
“Yes.”
She frowned. “I’m sorry, Mr. Richards, but he doesn’t seem to have an appointment listed with you.”
Drew blushed. “Well, it’s…it’s personal, not business.”
Giving him a frosty glare, she picked up her phone. “Mr. Stevens? There’s a Drew Richards here to see you.” She hung up. “Down the hall to the right. Last door.”
“Thank you.” Drew went through another glass door into a long, gray, plastic smelling hallway. To the left was an open door and he could heard a copier running. As he passed the room, he looked in curiously.
Standing at the copier was none other than Barnaby Lassiter, Nathan’s flamboyant partner. He wore earphones and was bopping his head back and forth to whatever he was listening to. Drew was about to pass when Barnaby noticed him and squealed.
He flew out the door and grabbed on to Drew. “Oh, my God, you scared me.”
“Sorry, didn’t mean to.”
“I was listening to the most awesome song.” Barnaby lips curved into a pretty smile. “Drew, what are you doing here? Nathan’s not here. Something’s not wrong with Steve is there?” Steve was, of course, Drew’s best friend and Nathan’s half-brother.
“Actually, I’m here to see Mark.”
Barnaby tilted his head and frowned, staring rather blankly at him. “Mark who?”
“Mark Stevens.”
“Our Mark?”
Drew laughed. “Well, yeah.”
Barnaby’s fingers closed around his arm. “Are you having legal trouble? Because I’m sure Nathan would help you. Probably for free.”
“No, nothing like that.” Drew cleared his throat and extracted his arm. “I’m here for a date. We’re going to dinner and a movie.”
Before Barnaby could respond, thankfully, the last door on the right opened and Mark appeared in the hall. He smiled and waved when he spotted Drew.
“Perfect timing,” Drew said. “I was just headed to your office.”
“I’m done for the day so I’m ready.” Mark made his way to where Drew and Barnaby stood. “I’m surprised you’re still here, Barnaby. Friday night? I didn’t know Travis was a slave driver.”
“I’m just finishing up this last copy project and then I’ll be gone,” Barnaby said. He was staring at both of them with a look of complete shock on his face.
“Have a good weekend. Tell Nathan we should get together for a poker game or something soon.”
Mark and Drew walked to the glass door leading out and opened it to the exit. Barnaby stared after them. Drew had a feeling they’d be the subject of much gossip amongst Mark’s law partners and their significant others.
“Um, sorry,” he said as they made it outside. “I didn’t mean to cause a scene back there.”
“Don’t think twice about it. It might be kind of amusing for them all to know I’m seeing you. I suspect they will be pretty surprised.” Mark headed toward his car. “Why don’t you come with me and we’ll come back here after dinner and the movie.”
“Okay, sounds fine.”
* * * *
“That movie was better than I thought it was going to be,” Drew declared as he and Mark exited the movie theater after the credits had rolled. They’d gone to see the latest buddy comedy flick.
“Me, too.” Mark shook his head. “I can’t remember the last movie I went to see in the theater. When I have seen a movie it’s been from my cable’s on demand program.”
Drew smiled as they approached the car. “I had a great time. Thanks.”
“You wouldn’t want to come by my house for a bit, would you? Maybe some coffee or tea? No pressure.”
He didn’t know whether Mark wanted to take things further between them, but Drew decided either way it wouldn’t hurt to spend more time with Mark, even if he just had a cup of tea. Not that he’d be reluctant if Mark wanted to have sex.
“Sure. But if you don’t mind, can we get my car from your office? Then I’ll follow you to your house.”
“Absolutely.”
* * * *
Mark found Drew in his living room holding a framed photograph of Mark with Collin in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland. He’d just brought out glasses of lemonade from the kitchen. He set the glasses on the coffee table and waited for whatever Drew would say.
Drew gave him a quizzical look. “Nice picture. You look pretty happy. Who is he?”
His gut tightened. Swallowing, he
forced himself to be casual. “He was my boyfriend, Collin.”
Mark took the picture from Drew’s fingers and stared at the young couple in front of the castle. They were just teenagers then. Both of them just nineteen and grinning like a couple fools. His arm was around Collin’s shoulders and Collin’s orange-red hair stuck up this way and that. Freckles sprinkled his nose. Mark set the picture back on the mantel.
“Collin and I met in a class our first year of college. We hit it off immediately and started dating pretty much right away. We were really happy for a while.”
Drew touched his arm gently. “What happened?”
“Collin died several years ago now. He had AIDS.”
The other man stared at him, his dark eyes going wide. He shook his head. “I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry.”
Mark nodded. “I always knew he had AIDS. He was very upfront about it and we were always very careful when we were together. He got it from his mother when he was just a baby. Still, I guess I’d hoped…wished we’d have more time.”
“There’s never enough time,” Drew said softly. “I’m sorry. Sounds like you guys really loved each other.”
“We did. After his death, I guess I pretty much shut down. Took extra classes in college, made sure I was top of the class in law school.” Mark shook his head. “Anything I could do to pretend it didn’t matter.”
“And all the working you do. Makes sense.” Drew picked up the glass of lemonade and took a sip. “I can’t imagine how awful it was.”
“Yeah.” Mark picked up his own glass. “I’ve been tested, Drew, and I’m negative.”
“I’m sure you are. I didn’t doubt it after you said you were careful.” Drew took a few more sips of his lemonade and then headed into the kitchen with his glass. Mark followed after him. He set the glass on the counter. “I’m glad you told me, Mark. But I think maybe I should go home.”
“Okay.”
Drew smiled and reached for his hands. “I’m not freaking out or running out on you. I just think we’ve had a great time tonight and I’m glad you told me about Collin. Maybe we need just a bit of time, you know?”
“Yeah, sounds good.” Mark would have admitted he was suddenly quite melancholy after thinking about and talking about Collin. Drew was right. He wouldn’t be great company. “How about tomorrow night? If you come over, I can make you dinner.”