Speed Dating the Boss

by Sue Brown

  “Because I told him, on pain of death, if he rang you today, he shouldn’t bother coming back.”

  “You didn’t.”

  Gideon raised an eyebrow. “It’s my bar, and he knows I mean what I say. Anyway, are you okay if I leave for an hour?”

  Dan knew it would be a lot longer than an hour if he was going to deal with a delivery question, but he merely nodded. Gideon had gone above and beyond that morning. He could take the time off to deal with his business. “We’ll be at the church about four o’clock.”

  “I should be back well before then.”

  Dan made a noncommittal hum and walked him to the door. “I’ll see you later.”

  Gideon wrapped his hands around Dan’s biceps, pulled him in for another one of those small, quick kisses on his cheek, and left him standing on the doorstep watching Gideon drive away. Dan touched his cheek. He would really like to know what a proper kiss felt like if a small kiss could make his stomach flutter.

  “You’ve really got it bad for him.”

  Chapter 23

  DAN TURNED to see Marty watching him from the kitchen doorway. He thought about denying it, but Marty knew him far too well. “I think I have.”

  “What are you going to do about it, then?”

  “I have no clue. Not a single one.”

  Marty rolled his eyes, then winced as if it hurt. He managed an acerbic, “You’re clueless, Daniel Collins.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He looks at you like I look at Lena.”

  Dan had seen the soppy looks Marty gave Lena, and Gideon looked nothing like that. “You need to get your eyes tested.”

  “I mean it. He can’t take his eyes off you.”

  “He’s my boss. He wants to check I’m doing things right.”

  Marty rolled his eyes again. “You keep telling yourself that. I’m telling you he’s besotted with you.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I’ll make you toast, and then you need to get dressed or the photographer will be here while you’re still in your underwear.”

  Marty swallowed hard. “I hoped you’d forgotten about the toast.”

  “You have to eat something.”

  Dan herded Marty back into the kitchen, and within a couple of minutes, he had Marty and Todd buttering slices of toast. The job seemed to revive them and improve their humor. Todd only marginally complained about the spread on the bread, and his brother told him to shut the fuck up. Then Marty went upstairs to get dressed while Dan cleaned up. Todd stayed down in the kitchen and watched Dan work. He didn’t offer to help, which didn’t surprise Dan in the least.

  “I’m sorry I screwed up your plans,” Todd said.

  Dan looked up, surprised at Todd’s apology. “It’s okay.” It wasn’t okay, but he could be magnanimous. “At least this time you didn’t tie Marty to a streetlight.” He looked up at the silence. The guilty look on Todd’s face made him groan. “Please tell me you didn’t do that.”

  “It wasn’t a streetlight.”

  “What did you do?” Dan muttered through gritted teeth. He threw the cloth onto the countertop and stalked toward Todd.

  Todd obviously knew he’d fucked up badly because he held up his hands as though to ward off Dan’s attack. “It was a tree. Okay? A tree.”

  “A tree where?”

  “In the park.”

  “Are there photos?”

  “I took some. It was only ten minutes.”

  Dan held out his hand. “Give me your phone.”

  “No.”

  “Give. Me. Your. Phone. Are these transferred to the cloud?”

  From the blank stare Todd gave him, he made the assumption that he didn’t have a clue what the cloud was.

  Todd unlocked and handed over his iPhone with a snarl. Dan scrolled through the photos and deleted photo after photo of a naked Marty grinning stupidly. He noticed Lena was a lucky woman. Marty had certainly filled out since they were at school. He made sure he deleted them all before he returned the phone to Todd.

  “Go get dressed,” Dan ordered. “Just your pants and shirt.”

  Muttering to himself—Dan decided it was better not to know what he was saying—Todd headed for the stairs. Dan finished the last of the cleaning up and looked at the clock. They had an hour before the photographer was due. They could do it. He could do it without killing anyone. Marty was off-limits. But Todd was fair game.

  THE PHOTOGRAPHER was a cute Japanese woman with short hair. She was dressed in a pantsuit and a pale peach blouse. She introduced herself as Akiko, and she told Dan they had to do exactly what she said and all would go well. Her two assistants hung back, both carrying enough equipment to bring them to their knees.

  “You do know he’s the client,” Todd said, pointing at Marty.

  She looked unimpressed. Marty hissed at Todd to be quiet and introduced himself. “I’m Marty. This is my best man, Dan. He’s the one to talk to if you need anything. Ignore Todd. We all do.”

  Akiko flicked her gaze to Dan, who felt judged and found wanting. But he met her gaze, and she nodded.

  “We’ll start in here,” Akiko said. She frowned as she studied the two men. “You need to comb your hair.”

  Partway through the photographic session, Dan felt like he’d been put through a wringer. Akiko was relentless. At least Dan had the benefit of being sober. Marty and Todd were both ashen, and Dan was seriously worried that Marty was about to pass out.

  He insisted they stop for a coffee break, and that restored some of the color to their faces. Todd asked for the hair of the dog, but Dan ignored him. They would stay sober until they reached the church. After that, Todd wasn’t Dan’s problem.

  By the time Akiko and her crack team of assistants left, all the men were dressed in their tuxes with burgundy cummerbunds and ties. There was still time before they had to leave for the church, and Dan was left with two men who didn’t know what to do with themselves. It was like herding cats. Todd was still clearly hungover and had the grouchy mood to go with it. Marty was nervous and prone to pacing the floor. It didn’t help when Todd pointed out that it was his third wedding and shouldn’t he have it down pat by now? As Marty snarled, Dan shoved both men down on the sofa and told them to shut up and watch a movie. He picked one at random from Marty’s Blu-ray collection and blinked.

  “You watch teen romance?”

  Marty flushed. “They’re Lena’s.”

  “Sure they are.”

  Todd scoffed loudly, and Marty seemed about to launch himself at his brother, but he subsided under a stern glare from Dan. The two men started to watch the movie, and Dan retreated into the kitchen. Gideon still hadn’t made a reappearance, and Dan could have done with Gideon’s calming presence right about then. On impulse, Dan texted him.

  How’s it going?

  The reply was almost instantaneous. I’m going to kill everyone.

  Dan chuckled. Dealing with delivery people required all of Dan’s patience. Problem?

  Dealt with. I’ll meet you at the church.

  You don’t have to.

  Shut up! See you there. Don’t forget the rings!

  Dan’s lips curved into a smile. He shouldn’t feel as ridiculously pleased as he did at Gideon’s reminder. The man was still looking out for him. He patted his pocket where he’d put the small box of rings for safekeeping.

  The doorbell rang. “Please let it be the chauffeur.”

  It was, and Dan herded his recalcitrant charges into the back of the car. He pointed a finger at them. “No fighting.”

  They scowled at him, and he glared back. Then he shut the door and slipped into the passenger seat. He didn’t want to sit next to either of them.

  The chauffeur shot him an amused look. “Bad day?”

  Dan expelled a long breath. “It’s times like this I’m glad I don’t have kids.”

  “I hear you, brother. I hear you.”

  “You have kids?”

  “Five of them, and every last one is both a joy and a p
ain.”

  “These two are just a pain.”

  The driver chuckled and pulled away. Dan relaxed into the seat and closed his eyes. Next time Marty got married, he could ask someone else to be best man.

  At the church, Akiko wanted to take more photos. Before he let her get her claws into Marty, Dan shoved Todd in the direction of the pews. Then he turned back to the groom, who was leaning against the car, looking miserable.

  “You need to get it together,” Dan said. “From the looks they’re giving you, Lena’s parents are over there.”

  He smiled at a very well-dressed group. One of the women looked like an older version of Lena.

  “Kill me now,” Marty moaned, but he turned around to acknowledge them. They waved, although the frowns didn’t leave their faces.

  Dan handed him a pack of breath mints. “Chew one of these.” He took one too, and the wintergreen was a burst of life in his mouth. “Now fake it, Marty. Fake it like you’ve never done before.”

  Marty straightened his spine, pasted a smile on his face, and did his best to pretend he didn’t have a raging hangover.

  “Are you ready?” Akiko asked. She looked less than sympathetic for Marty’s predicament.

  “I’m all yours,” Marty said.

  She gave him a knowing look. “Oh, Marty, it takes a good woman to handle someone like me.”

  Dan smirked at her, and she smirked back. Marty rolled his eyes and then groaned.

  “Let’s just do this before my head falls off.”

  In the church Dan scanned the small crowd at the front. Gideon wasn’t there, and Dan swallowed back bitter disappointment. There must have been more problems at the bar. He sighed and went through the motions until they were finally at the altar.

  The guests chatted among themselves until the music started. Marty paced until Dan told him to sit down. The last few guests appeared to take their seats, and bringing up the rear was Gideon. He mouthed an apology at Dan and took his seat in the pew behind Dan’s. When his large hand landed on Dan’s shoulder, the tension in Dan faded away. Gideon was there as he promised. He came through.

  It was a blessing rather than a traditional wedding service, and Marty and Lena had picked their favorite songs for the walk up and down the aisle. The opening chords of “Songbird” sounded in the church, and the priest instructed them to stand for the bride.

  Dan stood and squeezed Marty’s shoulder. “This is it, buddy. Your forever moment. Don’t fu—screw it up again.”

  Marty saw Lena, and his smile lit up the small church. His love for Lena was openly transparent. Dan felt a sudden envy. This was what he’d always wanted. A man who looked at Dan like the sun had come out just because he’d stepped into the room. Not just another notch on the bedpost. He told himself to get over it and focused on the bride.

  Lena was stunning. Her hair was swept back with burgundy flowers, and she wore a pale-ivory silk dress with a kind of cape that led into a train. Her matron of honor and best friend, Shona, fussed with the train with the assistance of Rosie, Lena’s young niece. Shona and Rosie would walk together behind Lena.

  Marty didn’t take his eyes off Lena. Even after his past mistakes, he was utterly confident that Lena was the one, and Dan thought that this time he was right. Lena was everything Marty needed and vice versa.

  On impulse Dan risked a glance at Gideon, and his heart stuttered. Gideon wasn’t looking at the bride. He was gazing at Dan with the same loving, tender smile that was on Marty’s face. Just as Marty had said. The certainty in his expression took Dan’s breath away.

  Gideon caught Dan’s gaze, and his smile broadened. Dan smiled tentatively, wondering how many times he’d been oblivious to Gideon’s gentle loving.

  Chapter 24

  DAN SHIFTED from side to side. His feet hurt from the hours of standing around waiting for things to happen. That was ironic, considering he spent his working life on his feet. The other guests were taking advantage of the free cocktail bar at the reception in the hotel while more photos were taken, but Dan wouldn’t touch a drop until he delivered his speech. After several hours he was starting to regret that decision.

  “You look amazing,” Gideon purred in Dan’s ear, his body pressed up against Dan’s back. His hair tickled Dan’s neck, and Dan shivered.

  “You need your eyes tested.”

  “My eyes are just fine, Daniel Collins. You’re a fine-looking man.”

  “You need to be careful. We’re in public.”

  “It’s a shame, because if we were alone, I’d show you exactly what I think of you.”

  Dan sucked in a breath. “You—”

  “Yes?”

  Dan stepped away and turned to look at him. “You can’t take risks, Gideon. We can’t take risks. These people—” He waved his hand around. “Marty’s parents and family are good people, but they don’t approve of people like me. Lena’s family are even more entrenched in their views. You have a business to run. If it got back to your customers, you could lose your business.”

  Gideon’s face hardened. “I think you’re not giving our customers enough credit. They know you, and they like you. They can deal with us, and if they can’t, too bad. They aren’t important. You are.”

  Dan flushed at the unsubtle emphasis on the you. “You have a good bar, Gideon, but those guys aren’t always subtle about what they think of queers, even in front of me.”

  “Dan, I knew what I was in for when I agreed to the speed-dating evening. Thank you for worrying about me, but you don’t have to. I don’t care if people see me with my tongue down your throat. The bar could close tomorrow, and I wouldn’t care. It’s not my life.”

  “But it is my life,” Dan reminded him, “and Bradley’s and Juan’s. We don’t have a cushion of money like you.”

  “Dan, take a deep breath.” Gideon stepped into Dan’s personal space and forced Dan to look up. “This is New York, not Texas.”

  “You still get beaten up in New York for being a faggot. Or have you forgotten last week?” Dan said bitterly.

  “I know they do, but do you think you’re the only blue-collar gay guy at the bar?”

  Dan remembered Mr. Seventeen. He’d never consciously been aware of other gay men at the bar. “No, but—”

  Gideon chuckled, and it turned into a deep, rumbling laugh. “Oh, Dan, you are oblivious at times.”

  “I’ve heard that one before,” Dan said ruefully. More than one person had told him his gaydar was shit.

  Gideon sighed and ran his hand through his thick hair. “How did we get from me flirting with you to worrying about the bar closing?”

  “I’m sorry. I ruined the moment.”

  “I’m sorry I made you uncomfortable. I’ll tone it down, but when the time is right, I am going to flirt, and there will be kissing.”

  Dan licked his lips. “Kissing?”

  “And probably dancing.” Gideon held up his hand as Dan opened his mouth to protest. “And maybe some fucking.”

  Dan fidgeted uncomfortably. “You’ve gotta stop, dude, or I won’t be able to walk.”

  Gideon rumbled out a laugh. “Just trust me.”

  “I do trust you.” Five years of working for Gideon had imbued a deep and abiding trust. “Thank you.” Gideon seemed thrilled by Dan’s immediate response.

  One of Akiko’s assistants jogged over to them. “Best man and partner, Akiko needs you.”

  “Both of us?” Gideon asked.

  The assistant nodded. “Yes, both of you.” He waited, obviously not convinced they were going to obey his instructions.

  “Okay then, darlin’,” Gideon drawled. “Let’s go and get our picture taken.”

  Dan rolled his eyes, but he did as he was told and headed over to the bride and groom with Gideon behind him.

  Lena gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You look very cute together.”

  “I brought my date,” Dan said. “You won’t make me date the matron of honor?”

  Lena giggled. “You’r
e safe. She’s brought a date of her own.”

  Dan looked around and found the matron of honor talking to a tall dark-haired man. Dan’s stomach roiled. “Don’t tell me that’s her date.”

  Gideon looked over, alerted by Dan’s tone. “Are you okay?”

  “No, I’m not okay. Look over there.” He pointed, and Gideon growled under his breath.

  “What’s the matter?” Lena asked.

  “Who’s that man, Lena?”

  “Parker?” Lena didn’t bother to turn around. “He’s an old friend of Shona’s.”

  “Do you know him?”

  She shook her head. “Never met him before today. I think he’s been working on the West Coast. What’s wrong?”

  “He’s my Disastrous Date.”

  Her eyes opened comically. “No.”

  “Yup. And up to last night he was texting me five times a day.”

  “You didn’t tell me that,” Gideon growled.

  Dan gave him an apologetic smile. “I had other things on my mind.”

  Gideon looked at Lena. “He was also at the speed-dating evening.”

  “Your evening?”

  Dan nodded. “He was Mr. Nineteen.”

  “What happened?” Lena asked.

  “Mr. Twenty told him to get lost.”

  “Who was Mr. Twenty?”

  Gideon smirked at her. “I was.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I should have guessed.”

  “He’s an asshole,” Dan growled. “He’s been hassling me for weeks, and I’m sick of it.”

  Gideon’s arm settled comfortably around Dan’s shoulders. “You don’t need to worry now, darlin’. He won’t bother you again if he knows what’s good for him.”

  Dan didn’t know whether to shake him off or settle in closer, but Akiko made the decision for him.

  “Groom, bride, best man and partner, matron of honor and partner.”

  If Parker was coming anywhere near him, Dan would stay by Gideon’s side. Shona, the matron of honor who was Lena’s best friend, and Parker wandered over to them. Parker didn’t look surprised to see Dan, which confirmed Dan’s feeling that it was a setup. Or was he being egotistical? Parker smirked at Dan, although he blanched when Gideon scowled at him.