* * * *
The first thought Darius had when he woke that morning was of Josh, his soft blue eyes, those welcoming lips. Why didn’t I ask for his phone number? So what if he said no. He should have taken the chance. Darius had been shot down before, so why did he choke this time? The answer was pretty simple; he was losing his confidence, not only with men but also with every aspect of his life. He hated to admit it, but the feeling that he’d made a mistake when he had decided to move to Florida kept coming back to haunt him. He still didn’t have a job, and his relationship with his mother was far from being a Hallmark Channel movie. But it never was a great one, mediocre at best. Darius was beginning to feel like a failure all the way around. After two strong cups of coffee, he slid on shorts, T-shirt, and sneakers, then whistled to King who was still curled at the bottom of his bed, snoring. He waited patiently as the dog stretched through a series of yoga poses, something he did every morning, before trotting to Darius’s side ready for his daily walk.
They started out for Island Park, but Darius stopped and headed for one that was much closer, which had a fenced in area where dog owners could let their dogs off the leash safely. King enjoyed the park, and that’s what their morning walks were about, not searching for guys, because that’s what he’d be doing if he went to Island Park. Darius needed to focus on what was important, a livelihood first and foremost. After the walk, he’d buy a local paper and look over the help wanted ads, then move onto Craigslist in the afternoon. Some restaurant had to be hiring somewhere, Darius figured. Was it his dream job? No. But as long as it put money in his pocket, any job would pass as a dream job at the moment. He had to forget about everything and anything else until he heard those three magical words, “You are hired.” Put Josh out of your thoughts. Josh wasn’t interested anyway.
Looking down at King, Darius said, “Who needs men anyhow, right, King?”
King answered with one sharp bark and continued to trot happily along.
* * * *
“Hey, Aunt Celeste.” The bells fixed to the entrance of Confections by Celeste chimed Josh’s arrival.
Standing behind the counter and filling the glass cabinet full of recently baked cupcakes, brownies, cookies, and turnovers of every assortment, Celeste pushed a curling red lock of hair away from her forehead. “Hello, sweetheart.”
Josh inhaled the scent of the bakery, bringing a smile to his face. He loved this place as much as he loved his aunt. The two things were really the same, the bakery an extension of Celeste in every way. She was as sweet as her culinary creations, entertaining as the magical new age music that played from opening until closing over the sound system, and just as eccentric as some of her more adventurously flavored treats she experimented with. Who knew that people would embrace the lavender-lemon-lime cupcake? Josh chalked up its success to the smell more than the taste.
Rushing behind the counter, Josh began the daily chores of opening the store. He opened the cash register to check for a substantial amount of coins and dollar bills in smaller increments.
“I zipped by the bank after I popped a few things in the oven,” Celeste explained. “That new branch that opened a few blocks away is so convenient, plus it has the nicest staff, especially that nice looking boy with the fancy haircut. I suggested that he stop by today.”
“Please don’t play matchmaker,” Josh groaned. “I hate it when you do that. It never works.”
Feigning hurt, Celeste said, “How can you say such a thing? Remember that exchange student from Italy? He was gorgeous.”
“And straight.” Josh closed the cash register with force. “Very straight.”
“He didn’t dress like a straight guy. He wore royal blue velvet shoes.”
“He’s Italian,” Josh returned. “They’re fashionable.”
“I mentioned velvet, right?” Celeste straightened and secured the glass cabinet door. “That poor boy was so far into the closet even you couldn’t show him the way out. Hope he’s found his way out by now.”
“Am I manning the espresso machine today, or are you?”
“Don’t change the subject. Who are you dating at the moment?” Celeste rested her hip against the counter and crossed her arms over ample bosoms. She gave Josh that look she always did when she wanted the skinny on his life, especially his personal life. “Please tell me you’re not sitting around that fantastic new apartment all on your own?” She didn’t wait for a response. “You are, aren’t you? I can see it in those gorgeous eyes of yours. You’ve never been able to lie to me. Never.”
“How can I be lying when you won’t allow me to lie?”
Celeste took in a sharp intake of breath and arched a brow. “Okay, spill,” she said on an exhale.
“There is nothing to tell, not really. I’ve dated a few men but no one seriously. And if I am sitting home alone, I’m enjoying it very, very much.”
“Honey, you can do that at my age but not yours. Please promise me that you’ll at least go out and paint the town once in a while.”
“Promise,” he said. “Now are we open for business, or are we going to chat about my love life all day?”
“If I am to believe you, there’s nothing to chat about,” Celeste said, walking to the door and flipping over the sign suctioned on the glass door to Open, the morning sun highlighting her red hair to a burnt copper. “What a pity that all those young, good looks are going to waste.”
Josh rolled his eyes and offered up a silent prayer. Why couldn’t he have a normal aunt who never wanted to broach the subject of sex? “How about you? Are you sitting home alone watching TV by yourself night after night?”
She spun and flashed Josh a smile. “Me? Never. You know I don’t watch television. It smoothes over the brain and leaves dribble on the chin. It’s not good for the little gray cells.”
“I take that as a ‘yes’ then.”
“I can’t seem to find anyone as interesting as Ronan?”
“I forgot about him.”
Celeste fanned herself with her hand. “I haven’t. That man checked all my boxes and then some.”
“TMI, Aunt Celeste.” Josh felt his cheeks redden. “Where is Ronan these days? Commune in California? Kibbutz in Israel?” he guessed.
“Close,” she returned, stepping over to straighten the chairs and café tables that dotted the front of the bakery. “He’s attempting the Camino of Santiago with no cell phone or Internet service. He’s only carrying a canteen and backpack filled with odds and ends to keep him company. What a brave soul.”
“What a stupid soul,” Josh mumbled under his breath.
“He asked if I wanted to go, but I have this place. My days of wandering the globe are over.”
Josh suspected that Ronan’s days of wandering should be too, the man was well past forty. According to Celeste, Ronan had never held down a job longer than six months. “He’s a free spirit that cannot be confined by society’s expectations,” she would say. Although a charming man full of entertaining stories, Josh knew what Ronan really was. He was a mooch. Celeste’s mooch. But it wasn’t any of Josh’s business, so he never interfered with his aunt’s personal life. He left that up to his mother, Rebecca, and Celeste’s older sister by fourteen months, the two being oil and water.
“At least you traveled when you were my age. The farthest I’ve been is Washington DC for my senior trip. It was a nice city, but I want to travel on a plane, not a bus.”
“You’ll get your chance,” Celeste assured. “Keep saving and keep dreaming. I do it all the time. Next year at this time, I plan on doing a little hiking myself in Peru. Maybe you would like to come?”
“Thanks, but I was thinking more along the lines of the island of Ibiza.”
Celeste chuckled. “Ohhh,” she cooed. “I do have a story to tell you about that lovely paradise.” Her eyes twinkled as she fluffed her hair with both hands. “It begins with a tall, dark, handsome man by the name of Antonio. Or was it Mario?”
The front door’s be
lls chimed, and a customer walked in, saving Josh from one of Celeste’s stories he could live without ever hearing. One by one, a steady stream of people filled their morning. And just when it started to slow down and all the bear claws were purchased and devoured, the door opened and King trotted in followed by Darius. Josh blinked a few times, wondering if his imagination was playing tricks.
“King?”
Darius looked up, and a flicker of recognition sparked in his eyes. “I’m so glad my dog made an impression.” He walked up to the counter and proffered a hand to Josh who was still standing behind the counter by the cash register. “Darius,” the attractive man reminded.
Josh took Darius’s hand, causing his pulse to spike. “I remember,” he returned. “What are you doing here?” He didn’t mean for the shake to linger, but Darius’s touch was warm and intoxicating, conjuring many thoughts in a short period of time.
“I needed a copy of the paper,” Darius explained. “Maybe a bear claw or two, and one of those special treats Celeste bakes up from time to time.”
“Sorry. You didn’t make it early enough to get a bear claw. They are our biggest seller. I can offer you any variety of cupcake or some black and whites. The blueberry muffins are freshly baked. I personally just pulled them from the oven less than an hour ago.”
“A handsome man who cooks. You’re a rare breed, Josh.”
“You remembered my name.”
“What can I say?” A slow smile spread across Darius’s lips. “You’re memorable.”
“Thanks,” was all Josh could manage, temporarily stunned into silence.
“You work here?” Darius asked. “It’s only that I’ve been here a few times and I’ve never seen you before.”
“Technically, I don’t work here. Celeste is my aunt. She owns the place.”
From the kitchen, Celeste sang out. “Is that the handsome man who likes me for my muffins?” She appeared in the doorway, a fresh smudge of flour decorated her right cheek. “I knew I recognized that silky baritone over the hum of my mixer.”
“My day’s not complete without seeing your gorgeous face.” His smile got bigger. “What do you have baking for me today, sweetheart?”
“Blueberry muffins are fresh.”
Darius nodded. “That’s what Josh told me.”
Celeste’s gaze flitted from Darius to Josh. “Do you two know each other?”
“Yes,” Darius answered.
“No,” Josh responded.
Celeste placed her hands on her hips and let out a girlish giggle. “Which is it?”
Josh was the first to explain. “We met yesterday at the park.”
“He tackled King when he got away from me,” Darius added.
“More like King tackled me.”
Celeste’s gaze fell to King who was by Darius’s side, his stunted tail wagging furiously. “For a cute dog, you sure are a bad one.”
“I share in that sentiment,” Darius agreed.
Celeste poked her hand in her apron’s front pocket and pulled out a biscuit shaped into a bone. She walked around the counter and kneeled by King. “This is a new recipe. Let’s see what the taste tester thinks.” King gobbled the treat in seconds flat.
“I say you’ve got yourself a bestseller, Celeste,” Darius said.
“Peanut butter wins them over every time.”
Celeste stood and wiped her hands down her apron. “Muffin and latte, Darius?”
“Please. Extra hot,” Darius said. “And make sure you charge me for King’s treat. You’ve forgotten the last few times.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said, returning behind the counter to bag a muffin and make Darius’s latte. “It’s on the house.”
“But—” Darius began to protest, but Celeste cut him off.
“I’m the boss and owner of this establishment, says so on the sign hanging over the door so I can do whatever I want.”
“You really are quite the lady.”
“I bet you say that to all the gals.”
“Have a seat,” Celeste said, indicating with a fast jerk of her head toward a table in the café, “and I’ll bring it out to you when it’s done.”
“Okay,” he said after selecting the employment section of the local newspaper, which had been left on the counter by another customer.
“Psst.”
Josh tore his eyes away from Darius’s retreating backside to look at his aunt. “What,” he whispered.
“Come closer.”
When Celeste whispered, it usually meant that things were going to get complicated. Josh closed the distance between them. “Should I be worried?”
Celeste’s eyebrow arched. “He likes you.”
“I like him too.”
“I mean he really likes you, as in he thinks you’re tastier than my bear claws.”
“This is getting creepy.”
The coffeemaker hissed and spat.
Celeste pressed her face closer to Josh’s. “What do you think about him?”
“I think he’s nice.”
“And cute? Do you think he’s cute?”
“You know I love you, but I feel uncomfortable discussing these things with you.”
“It’s not like you’re going to discuss it with any other family members. Your parents are so tight they squeak.”
This was not news to Josh. His parents still couldn’t fully come to grips with his sexual preference, opting to ignore it altogether. Celeste was his only family member who hadn’t shunned him in some way after coming out. Josh decided to answer Celeste. It was the least he could do since she was such a constant support in his life.
“I’m not sure if I’d say he was cute. I think he’s more sexy.”
Celeste stole a look at Darius who was leafing through the newspaper. She hummed. “He’s definitely that. Those lips. Those eyes. If I was twenty years younger and gay…”
“So he is gay, right?”
Celeste’s eyes bugged out of her head. “What?” She guffawed. “I can’t believe you just asked me that? He is so into you. It’s all over his face. Forgive me for saying this, but how can you be so dense?”
“The other day at the park, I thought maybe and just now I thought absolutely, but I don’t want to be wrong about this one.”
“You’re not, sweetie. Now I know you’ve been in a slump lately, but Darius is the guy to pull you out of it.” Celeste peered from under her lashes. “Listen to your aunt. I know a thing or two about love. Don’t forget that I’ve been married three times.”
“Okay, that might not be the best example of love, but I understand the point you’re trying to make.”
“Just in case there is any confusion, what I’m telling you is to go for it.” Pouring the latte into a to-go cup, she shoved it at Josh. “Here. Go,” she directed. “And don’t come back behind this counter before you get a date. Understood?” she said excitedly.
“Understood,” Josh returned, with a little less enthusiasm.
Taking the cup from Celeste, Josh went to Darius. “One latte, extra hot,” he said setting it down on the table. He peered at the open paper. “It appears that we’re in the same boat. I’m looking for work too.”
“What do you call what you’re doing now?”
Josh wanted to dive into Darius’s honey-colored eyes and stay there for a while. “This is a pity job. My aunt knows my bank account’s getting low so this is her idea of charity. She knows I wouldn’t accept her money any other way.”
“You’re lucky to have an aunt who loves you so much. She’s a great lady.”
“Yep,” Josh agreed. “She stands by me when no one else does.” The sun from the multi-paned windows in the front of the shop spilled across Darius’s broad features, coloring his skin a warm cocoa. He is beautiful, Josh thought. He fought the impulse to lean down and kiss him. “Do you have family in the area? I don’t remember seeing you out at the bars or around town.”
“I don’t go out much, and I’m not a big drinker,”
Darius replied. “I guess coming here is my version of going out.” Darius ran his tongue over his bottom lip, a subconscious movement that most people do at least twenty times a day, except Darius looked better than most when doing it. “My mom lives here. I mentioned it when we first met at the park.”
“That’s right,” Josh returned. “Mine too. Both my parents. I grew up here.”
“Nice place to grow up. I spent time here as a kid, but we moved to the Detroit area before high school. Just returned two weeks ago.”
“Do you miss snow?”
“I’ll take the soft sand of Siesta Beach over piles of that stuff any day.”
Josh saw an opportunity he decided to explore. “If you ever need a tour guide, to show you places that you didn’t know existed, I’m your guy.”
A dimple quirked on Darius’s cheek. “Are you asking me out in a friendly welcome to Sarasota kind of way, or is this a date?”
A sharp pain of fear stabbed Josh’s gut. What if Celeste was wrong and his gaydar wasn’t working because Darius wasn’t gay after all? “What do you want it to be?” Josh couldn’t believe he found the strength to say those words.
“A bit of both?”
Josh allowed his smile to come. “I’ll give you my number before you leave so we can set it up.”
Darius took his cell phone out of his back pocket. “How about now?”
Josh didn’t remember saying his number. All he did remember was he finally had a date. With Darius.
Chapter Five
“Smiling is a good sign,” Celeste said as Josh rounded the counter. “Mission accomplished?”
Josh nodded and said, “Mission accomplished.”
Upon leaving the café, Darius left several dollar bills on the table and called out his goodbyes, Celeste waving bye. “See you tonight at seven, Josh.”
The Boys of Banana Court: Box Set Page 11