According to Design

by Nicole Dennis

  Wyatt pulled him on another tangent as they ate their meals, realizing they enjoyed similar books and movies. He wondered what else he had in common with this cutie.

  When they’d finished, hours later, Wyatt looked out of the window at the clear skies. He glanced at Keegan. “Would you like to go for a walk? The storm cleared out. It’ll be a bit more humid, but not sauna weather.”

  “Don’t you have to get back to Collin or your work?”

  “I can play hooky for a few more hours. Collin is being diligent about his homework before goofing off on the weekends. I’ve been able to leave him on his own while I head to the studio. Sometimes, he gets up and joins me.”

  “How can he concentrate when you’re blasting music?”

  Wyatt laughed and shrugged. “He likes similar music.”

  “Does this mean you gave him back his iPod?”

  “I did. I caved and let him have that, but held off on the game consoles. He still has to work to prove he can leave the doghouse.” Wyatt pulled bills out of his wallet to cover their meals and tip.

  Keegan chuckled as he gathered all of his work and laptop back in the bag. “I can pay for mine.”

  “Consider it our first date, please. I’ll cover us today.”

  “Which means?”

  “Which means you can help pay for something on our next date.”

  “Is there going to be one?”

  “I hope so. Let’s go on our walk and I’ll ask again at the end,” Wyatt said as he guided Keegan out of the café and down the sidewalk. “What would you like me to show you?”

  “Things only the locals know about and not the tourists,” Keegan said.

  “I can do that. Do you want to drop off your bag?”

  “No, I can carry it,” Keegan said.

  “Okay then. One personal tour of Shore Breeze for a fee of ten cents. Oh wait, you had lunch. It’s free. I’m your host and tour guide, Monsieur Wyatt,” he said in a bad French accent. He held out his elbow.

  Chuckling at his antics, Keegan tucked his hand into the crook.

  During the next couple of hours, Wyatt revealed the other side of Shore Breeze to Keegan, from the different spots favored by the locals to some of the usual tourist haunts and everything in between. They ended up at the beach, a private spot between the Charm and pier. There, they kicked off their shoes, rolled up their pants, then walked along the soft sand. They clasped their hands together and let them dangle.

  Wyatt watched Keegan lift his face to the gentle breeze and close his eyes. The lines around Keegan’s eyes and mouth softened—watching the waves seemed to relax him. “Is this a good way to end our little tour?”

  “It’s perfect, thank you. This is one of the reasons why I wanted this job. To see this whenever I can,” Keegan said. He looked up at Wyatt.

  Wyatt faced Keegan, dropped his shoes on the sand and cupped a hand around Keegan’s face. He leaned close and pressed their lips together in a soft, light kiss to test things out between them. Keegan moaned and opened his mouth. Keegan trembled under the intensity. Even though he wanted to take things further, Wyatt held back. He didn’t push Keegan anymore. Their lips moved together. A tingling sensation raced up his arms, lifting the hairs on his arm. A simple kiss. He licked Keegan’s lower lip, kissed it, and repeated it to add more sensations. In time, reluctant, he retreated with care, letting their foreheads touch. Their breaths mingled.

  “Wow,” Keegan whispered, the single word barely heard above the rolling waves.

  “Yeah, same here. Got something tingly there.”

  “Me too.”

  Wyatt raised his head. “Guess that means something.”

  “Perhaps it could.”

  “Does this mean I can ask for a date?” Wyatt asked with a hopeful childish tone. If he could, he would bounce on his toes in anticipation.

  Keegan nibbled on his lush lower lip. Entranced by the sight, Wyatt wanted to take Keegan’s lip for his own chance for a gentle bite.

  “Please? Nothing more than a date and I’ll behave myself.” Wyatt place a hand over his heart. “On my honor.”

  “Are you asking?”

  With a grin, Wyatt took hold of Keegan’s hands. “May I ask you on a date, Keegan? Dinner.”

  “I would like that.”

  “Things are a little—” Wyatt paused. “Uneasy at the moment.”

  “The loss of your friend.”

  Wyatt nodded. “I’m taking over the planning of the memorial since Jeremy, Patrick’s partner, is lost within his grief.”

  “I would like to attend, if you don’t mind. I didn’t know Patrick, but I know you.”

  Wyatt lifted Keegan’s hands to his lips then kissed his knuckles. “I would enjoy having you there.”

  Something beeped and disturbed their quiet moment.

  “Oh crap.” Keegan tugged his hands free and stepped back. He dug into one of the pockets of his messenger bag and pulled out a phone. He swiped the screen with a thumb.

  “What’s happening?”

  “Set an alarm to remind myself to return to the lab for some experiments I was waiting to finish on their own. I apologize, but I must leave.”

  “No worries.” Wyatt led them back up the beach to the main docks. “I’ll take you the short way back to the sheriff’s station.”

  “Appreciate it.”

  Upon reaching the docks, they brushed sand off their feet, pulled on their socks and shoes and rolled down their pants. They clasped their hands together and returned to downtown Shore Breeze. While some conversation remained between them, the journey had a pleasant, quiet aura.

  Chapter Eight

  Collin entered the studio, fresh from another day of school. After a flash of lights, Wyatt turned off the machines.

  “Hey, Uncle Wyatt,” Collin called out.

  “Hey. How’s school?”

  “Doing okay.”

  “Do I need to check or sign anything?”

  “Nope, got it all covered.”

  “Okay. Got homework?”

  “Yeah, I’m gonna head over to Marissa’s office to get on it,” Collin said.

  “Lemme know if you need any help. I never knew why everyone’s always looking for ‘x’, but I can try.”

  Collin snorted with the bad algebra joke and disappeared from the doorway.

  “Okay, if Collin’s here, must mean Keegan’s free. Please. Please. Please.”

  With the pep talk, Wyatt unearthed his cell phone hidden on a table. A quick flick through contacts and he dialed Keegan’s number. He figured Keegan would be ending one job and heading to his second one.

  “Hello, Wyatt, I was hoping to hear your voice,” Keegan said.

  “Hi, Keegan. How was school?”

  “Things went well. No one blew up the lab.”

  Wyatt chuckled. “That’s always a good thing to finish the day.”

  “I think the same.”

  “Are you leaving for the other job?”

  “Nope, I have the rest of the day off. I planned on collapsing for a few hours,” Keegan said.

  Wyatt pulled a breath in then pulled up his big-boy pants to work up the courage. “CouldIinterestyouinaneveningoutwithme?” He said the words so fast they mushed together.

  “Excuse me?”

  Letting out a long breath, Wyatt tried again. “Hoping you would like to go out with me.”

  “Are you asking me out on a date?”

  “Trying to. Am I failing?”

  “No. No, just umm…”

  “Please go out with me. Wait, that’s not too desperate, right?”

  “On the cusp.”

  “Shit. I’m screwing this up.” Wyatt smacked his forehead against his hand.

  Keegan’s gentle laughter in his ear helped cool off his utter embarrassment.

  “Let me start again,” Wyatt said.

  Silence.

  “Umm. Wyatt?”

  “Shit, I… Crap,” Wyatt said.

  “When was the last time y
ou were on a date?”

  “It’s been a while.”

  “A while.”

  “Yup.” Hell, Wyatt couldn’t remember when he’d last had a date. Had it been since he’d split up with Ethan?

  “Same here,” Keegan said then added, “I mean not going out.”

  “So— We’re kinda in the same boat.”

  “Yes. Do you want to try again?” There was a teasing encouraging tone in Keegan’s voice.

  Wyatt pulled in another deep breath and steadied his jangled nerves. He could do this. He was a big boy. “Would you please go out with me tonight?”

  “Yes,” Keegan said. “I would enjoy that. Did you have something in mind?”

  “There’s an awesome place in Pensacola for local brews called the Top Off. I thought we could enjoy a couple of craft beers, nibble on some food, and check out one of the clubs.”

  “Trying out local brews sounds great. I’m always up for a cold one. I’m sorry, but I don’t go to clubs. There are reasons,” Keegan said, his voice softening toward the end.

  “Don’t worry about it. We can walk around downtown. There’s always galleries, festivals and other nightlife. I can show you Pensacola.” Wyatt waited for a second. “Would you go out with me? On a date, but we don’t have to call it a date, I mean— Shit, I’m blowing this,” he muttered. “Again.”

  “The evening sounds wonderful. Yes.”

  “Really? I can pick you up around five.”

  “I’ll see you at five,” Keegan said and hung up after they said their byes.

  Wyatt did a little dance on his stool. He double-checked the time then his general appearance. It was worse than usual.

  “Collin. What the—” He smacked a hand against his forehead. Duh, he couldn’t run off without a plan. He climbed off the stool and went to find his nephew.

  Collin talked with Marissa while he settled in at a free table to do his homework. Wyatt figured Collin didn’t want to bother him in the studio.

  “Oh, hi, Wyatt, I didn’t see you. Did you need something?” Marissa asked when she looked up to find him standing there.

  “Hey, Uncle Wyatt,” Collin said.

  “I’m going out tonight,” Wyatt said. “On a date.” He paused at the duplicate stares. “With Keegan.”

  “So you finally asked. I’m so proud of you,” Marissa said. “My boy is all grown up and asking someone on a date.”

  Wyatt glared at her. Marissa didn’t stop her happy dance.

  “Marissa! Don’t encourage him,” Collin said. There was a patent teenager whine in the tone. “He’s going out. With my teacher!”

  “Yes. I like him and too bad, so sad for you. Not,” Wyatt said to knock back the teenager at his level. “What am I going to do with you? That’s the dilemma.”

  Collin sighed. “I’m not a baby.”

  “Doesn’t matter. You’re underage and shouldn’t be left alone in the house.”

  “I can take him home. We’ll have dinner together. I’ll stick around until you return,” Marissa said.

  “Really? Are you sure about this?” Wyatt asked.

  “I wouldn’t offer if I wasn’t sure. Collin and I get along,” Marissa said.

  “Can we have pizza?” Collin asked.

  “We can order one in.” Marissa added a chuckle and a roll of her eyes at the typical teenage boy diet. “I can ask my baby brother to join us. He goes to school with you, Collin. Perhaps you know him. His name is Lucas.”

  Collin nodded. “I know Lucas. He sits near me in English and algebra. He can join us.”

  “There. We’ll have ourselves a small party,” Marissa said. She lifted her hands and shooed Wyatt. “Get out of here and go clean up. You’re all sweaty, ratty and nasty. Get yourself polished up for your man.”

  “Thanks, guys,” Wyatt said as he ran away from the office. He grabbed his phone, wallet and keys from the studio then left for home.

  A couple of hours later, Wyatt stood at Keegan’s door and knocked. A light cold front had swept through the Panhandle, dropping the temperatures a few more degrees to make the evening enjoyable and a feeling little more ’autumn’. As autumn as it could get in Florida. It wasn’t muggy or hot, but cooler so they wouldn’t melt during a walk.

  In deference to the weather, Wyatt had dressed in dark-washed jeans, sleek ankle boots with matching belt, and an oxford shirt in a rich green shade to highlight his eyes. He rolled the shirtsleeves up his forearms. As a backup in case it got colder, he left a light cardigan in his Kia Soul. He’d topped the outfit off with a simple pendant necklace he’d made, and had added a leather band with more of his metalwork around one wrist. He’d kept his jaw unshaven, and lightly gelled the long layers of his hair into a stylish form.

  The door opened and Keegan appeared. Wyatt smiled as he checked him out. Keegan was also dressed in jeans but had matched it with a Henley shirt and a dark cardigan. He adjusted his glasses and stepped outside. He locked the door and slipped the keys in his pocket. “Hello. You look wonderful.”

  “Thanks, so do you. Ready for a night out.”

  “Looking forward to it.”

  “I hope you like the pub. It’s a great place to hang out. I’ve been there before and enjoyed it,” Wyatt said. He led Keegan downstairs to where he’d parked. He clicked open the locks and used his manners to open the door for Keegan.

  “Going all out,” Keegan teased while he climbed into the passenger seat.

  “Wanted to make an impression so you don’t forget me.” Wyatt closed the door and rounded the front to get in the driver’s seat.

  Wyatt made good time across the bridge and into Pensacola. They kept an easy conversation between them. It took a few extra minutes, but he located a parking spot. He motioned for Keegan to stay put. He scooped up his sweater and got out. Walking around, he opened the door once more for Keegan.

  “Such a gentleman,” Keegan said.

  “As my mama taught me. She was a true Southern girl, who went North with her husband. Never forgot her roots and smacked the back of her boys’ heads until they followed and learned manners.”

  “She did an excellent job.”

  With a grin, Wyatt held Keegan’s hand in a gentle clasp. They headed down the sidewalk toward the pub. There wasn’t a line or crowd waiting to get in on a Thursday night, so they walked in and found a free high table.

  Their waiter was young and cute. He bounced over, full of energy and with a big smile on his face. “Hiya. Welcome to Top Off. I’m Erik.” He dropped a pair of menus on the table. “Can I interest you in some of our local brews on tap? You know Top Off has a small brewery in the back? We have six regular beers on tap along with a special rotating seasonal.”

  “Hi, Erik. That’s why we’re here. What do you recommend?” Wyatt asked.

  “There’s a new autumn ale that’s popular, full of hops with a bit of spice,” Erik said and explained a few more of the styles.

  “I’ll take Autumn Oktoberfest,” Wyatt said and looked at Keegan. “What would you like?”

  “Midnight Pale Ale, please,” Keegan said.

  “Anything to eat?” Erik asked.

  Wyatt scanned the menu and ordered a combination platter of ale-battered shrimp, mini Reuben rolls and loaded baked potato skins. “Sound good to you?”

  Keegan nodded.

  Erik jotted down the notes. “I’ll be back.” He called out to familiar faces while he returned to the entire wall-length bar.

  Wyatt watched Keegan checking out the details and locals laughing and talking. “What do you think?”

  “It’s a great place. We need something like this in Shore Breeze.”

  “We have enough bars thanks to Bar Row.”

  “None of them are like this, though. They’re designed for masses who want to get drunk. This is a place to understand what it takes to craft a top-notch brew.”

  “That’s true. To really do it right, one would have to knock out one of those bars and replace it. Most of them are shoddy. Man
y in town think of them as rabble-rousing spots. If there’s any kind of trouble during Pride Week or other festivals, it often happens within or starts on Bar Row.”

  “Can’t the sheriff do something about it?”

  “They haven’t broken the rules, only imbibed too much. There’s been talk about changing things, but nothing has followed through from the ideas.” Wyatt waved a hand. “Doesn’t matter. Not here to talk about them.”

  “No. No we’re not,” Keegan said.

  “Here you go, fellas. Fresh from the tap.” Erik dropped off the tall glasses, one filled with a dark honey-colored liquid and the other a very pale wheat-colored ale. “Enjoy. Your food will be right out.”

  “Thanks,” Wyatt said.

  “Thank you, Erik,” Keegan said.

  “You two are so darn cute,” Erik said with a grin.

  Wyatt and Keegan glanced at each other. Both raised their eyebrows and chuckled after Erik left.

  After spending over an hour in the brewery, they returned to Wyatt’s car. Wyatt reassured Keegan one pint wouldn’t cause him to be tipsy or unable to drive. Plus all the food they’d eaten had soaked up the alcohol. He drove them deeper into downtown and found a spot in a parking lot. They wandered the sidewalks, holding hands and checking out different galleries and exhibits for most of the evening. Neither one bothered to react to any dirty looks at their joined hands. Why should it be any different for them?

  Live bluegrass music flowed from one club. Wyatt coaxed Keegan to try it for a bit. A reluctant Keegan agreed. Wyatt paid for the cover and waded through the crowd first. He managed to find a place on the terrace near a wall. It would give Keegan some more protection, but they could watch the musicians on the stage.

  Keegan sat in a chair against the wall while he took the spot next to him. Wyatt stretched his arm along the back of Keegan’s chair. He crossed one ankle over a knee and his foot bounced in time to the bluegrass.

  A little stiff at first, Keegan relaxed a bit at a time in his chair. He leaned closer to Wyatt and ordered an iced tea. Wyatt added his order of iced tea and loaded nachos.

  “How can you still be hungry?” Keegan poked Wyatt in his ribs.

  “Burn a lot of calories when I’m working. Plus, I live with a teenager now. Do you know how much that boy can put away in a single snack time? I’m not talking about a meal. My grocery bill doubled.”