by Andi James
“Let’s start with the short answer.”
Daniel glanced at him, an adorably confused expression on his face. “Huh?”
“You said there was a long and short answer as to why you help out here. Let’s start with the short.”
“Oh, right. Basically, I moved here from Iowa for school and really enjoyed learning the area. Especially since it got me away from my noisy roommate.” Daniel chuckled. “It wasn’t long before I stopped in here nearly every morning for coffee, and since I started working next door, I’m here even more. Your mom ...”
Oliver looked at Daniel as he trailed off, seeming to be lost in thought.
Daniel shook his head. “Your mom is great. Easiest way to explain it is she kind of adopted me, and she is both a good friend and like a second mother to me now.”
Yep, that sounded like something his mom would do. His mom had always been a people person, and hadn’t batted an eye when he’d told her he was gay when he was fifteen. After that, she’d not-so-quietly taken up the mantle of Proud Mom of a Gay Son. He’d been a little mortified at times, but now that he was older, he knew how lucky he was to have her and her unwavering love. Of course she would basically adopt a stray kid who’d moved here for college.
“I don’t help out for money or free snacks — though I don’t turn them down when Patty offers. I help because I like Patty, and this place, and she’s done a lot for me. It’s the least I can do in return.” Daniel winked at him. “Even if it does mean dealing with Chef Oliver Grumpy Pants.”
It wasn’t often that Oliver blushed, but hearing how nice his mom had been and comparing it to his own behavior almost made him feel something resembling shame.
He cleared his throat. “I’m sure my mom appreciates it.”
Daniel tsked. “I don’t know, Ollie. That almost sounded like a ‘thank you.’”
Oliver rolled his eyes at that, and the nickname. “We’ll see how well you do with the decorating before I start tossing those words around.”
They worked in a comfortable silence for a while, making their way through trays of cookies and bags of icing. This was the easy part, just putting the base layer on. He wondered if he should mention seeing Daniel at the club. Somehow it wasn’t sitting right with him now, the fact that he’d witnessed Daniel dancing on a platform, and the man didn’t know.
“How do you like working at Cinnamen?”
Daniel looked at him in surprise. “More conversation? Should I be flattered?”
Oliver huffed and tried not to smile. “Why, do you think I don’t ever talk to people?”
The man shrugged. “Not voluntarily, no.”
“That obvious, huh?”
Daniel laughed, and Oliver found himself doing the same. Something about having Daniel here helping made the arduous decorating task easier… and made Oliver relax a little. Maybe it was just the fact he knew they’d be able to get these cookies done on time without having to rush or sacrifice quality. That was probably it.
“I like my job a lot. It’s fun, I make good money, and I work with some truly amazing guys. No complaints here.”
“I saw you the other night. Dancing. Practically naked.” Shit. Oliver hadn’t decided how to mention his excursion to the club, but he definitely wasn’t planning on mentioning all the skin on display.
Daniel raised his brows. “Really? I didn’t see you there, you should have said hi.”
Oliver certainly wasn’t going to admit that he’d run out soon after his discovery. “I only stopped in for a quick drink, and besides, you were busy. I didn’t want to bother you while you were working.”
“Like I do to you when you’re working?” Daniel’s brown eyes twinkled.
Oliver smirked. “Exactly like that.”
“Well, if you come in again, say hi next time. What did you think of the club?”
It was hard to remember much about the club past the sight of Daniel and his goods on display, moving so tantalizingly. “Um, it was nice. Seems like a decent place.”
“It is. Hot entertainment too, right?”
He nodded in agreement before realizing what he was doing. Fuck. This time, Oliver definitely felt his cheeks turning red.
Daniel set down his nearly empty bag of icing and laughed. “Uh huh. I’m onto you, Ollie.”
Chapter Five
Daniel
Daniel was crushing candy and killing time at the laundromat, waiting for the last of his ten million pounds of laundry to finish in the dryer when his phone chimed with another of Patty’s Dick Pics. Richard Gere this time.
“Not bad,” he murmured under his breath. Patty seemed to be getting better at this. Daniel checked the time remaining on the large, battered laundry dryer, fairly certain it was older than he was. The bright red digital readout said twenty-eight, which either meant his clothes would be dry in twenty-eight minutes or in the year 2028. Either way, he had some time. He grabbed his messenger bag, slinging it over his shoulder as he walked out of the stifling laundromat into the stifling heat of Easton in June. At least there was a breeze.
He walked a few steps down the street to an empty bench under the shade of a black walnut tree and pulled his phone back out of his pocket, sending Patty a video chat request. She answered on the first ring and Daniel’s heart flew at the sight of her.
“Oh, Daniel, you’ve saved me from dying of boredom,” she said dramatically into the phone.
Daniel laughed. “No more Dick Pics to send?”
Patty sighed. “I’m running out of hot Dicks. What do you think about switching over to Steve Pics? Like Steve Martin.”
Now Daniel couldn’t hold in his laughter. “Patty, I think you are ahead of your time.” Or possibly really far behind it. He shifted on the bench, arranging himself so his long legs didn’t stick out too far onto the sidewalk in front of him. “How are you feeling? Aside from the death by boredom thing?”
Patty smiled. “I’m great, baby,” she said, voice warm. “I’m glad to be home. Oliver is taking amazing care of me when he’s here, and I’ve had a visiting nurse stop by a few times, so I’m doing well. Except I might be getting addicted to As the Earth Spins.”
Daniel choked on his words. “The soap opera?”
“Don’t judge me, Daniel! I’m stuck here with nothing to do.”
“You could take up knitting?” Daniel’s voice was teasing.
“I am not an old woman.” Patty grumbled and changed the subject. “How is your thesis coming?”
Now it was Daniel’s turn to grumble. He spent a few minutes venting about evaluating e-learning options as library training while Patty listened patiently, murmuring supportive words at appropriate intervals. Daniel was pretty sure Patty had absolutely no interest in library science, but she was always willing to lend him an ear when he was frustrated. Another reason he loved her so much.
“What can I do for you, Mama Bear? Do you need anything? Can I bring you something?”
Patty smiled at him. “You’re such a darling for asking. Actually, there is something. Do you remember that book you were telling me about with the hot vineyard owner?”
“Um, Borrowing Blue?”
“Yes, that’s the one! I was wondering if I could borrow it.”
“Of course you can. Why the sudden interest in romance novels?”
Patty grinned. “Oh, you know, you’re always talking about them so I thought I’d expand my horizons and pick up a book or two while I have all of this free time.”
Daniel shrugged. “Sure thing, Patty. I have to work tonight and have a study group most of the day tomorrow, but I could swing by with it the day after.”
“Well, I’d really like to start it as soon as possible.”
Apparently, Patty was now super into gay romance novels. Weird.
“Okay, I could drop it off at Cakes tonight on my way into work if someone will be there that late?” Daniel knew Patty was often in the bakery at all hours, prepping and baking, especially when she had big orders
to get ready.
“Hmm. Oliver will be there, but he’ll be in the middle of a big baking project most of today. We probably shouldn’t interrupt him.” Daniel’s stomach tightened, his hopes apparently raised and dashed all in the same breath.
“What time is your shift over?”
“Midnight.”
“Oh, that should be perfect timing! I’ll send Oliver over to Cinnamen to pick up the book around then.”
Daniel started to sputter. “It’s fine, I can just drop it off—”
Patty interrupted him with a bright smile. “Sorry, dear. I have to go. The show is starting and I think Mauricio is going to finally tell Anastasia that he is in love with her brother. I’ll send Oliver over to you tonight!” Patty blew him a kiss and Daniel’s screen went dark.
Daniel couldn’t keep his eyes off the door. He felt the pounding bass of the club music vibrating through his body as he swayed and danced under the vibrant and changing lights. He was surrounded by other people, sweating and laughing and drinking, but he was glad for his position, slightly elevated above most of the club-goers, because it gave him the perfect vantage point to search the crowd. There were a million faces but he only wanted to see one — Oliver.
Daniel loved his job, loved the music and the dancing and the people. Usually at the end of a shift he was in a really relaxed headspace, but tonight he was keyed up, waiting for Oliver. He knew the chances of the other man actually showing were about a million to one and he was holding onto hope in the impossible. But he still waited.
With about thirty minutes left in his shift, Daniel was chastising himself for being so naïve, thinking Oliver might actually show, when he caught a glimpse of a beautiful face out of the corner of his eye wearing a frown he’d know anywhere. His breath caught when Oliver turned and scanned the room, easily finding Daniel dancing atop one of the raised platforms. Daniel’s heart quickened as he saw the briefest of smiles cross Oliver’s perfect mouth before the usual scowl returned. Daniel beckoned for Oliver to come closer, suddenly very intent on deploying his sexiest moves. Oliver shook his head and headed over to the bar.
If the first three quarters of his shift crawled by, the last thirty minutes went by in an instant. Daniel continued to dance, not sure he was breathing except for those moments when he caught Oliver’s gaze. Suddenly, Daniel was not alone on his platform — Owen had hopped up to take over. Was his shift finished already? Daniel’s confusion must have registered on his face.
Owen laughed and leaned in to speak over the music and into Daniel’s ear. “You have been eye-fucking him for like half an hour. I’m not sure why you want him, but go get him, Daniel.”
Daniel pulled away and Owen gave him a grin and a shrug before he gently pushed Daniel toward the edge of the platform. “Get off,” he yelled over the music. “Your big muscles are scaring away all of my twink tips!”
Daniel hopped down, thinking he should probably shower or change, but knew his body was only going in one direction. As he approached the bar, Oliver’s back was to him and his head was down, staring intently at a half empty rocks glass on the bar.
Daniel sidled up to him and leaned down to speak into his ear. He made his voice low and husky before he murmured the cheesiest pickup line he could think of.
“Hey, sexy. Come here often?”
Oliver startled slightly, but relaxed as he looked up into Daniel’s face. “Really? Is that the best you can do?” Oliver’s face wore its usual scowl, but Daniel saw something else in those gorgeous eyes. It almost looked like… was that amusement?
Daniel’s heart squeezed and his brain hummed at the idea he might just be thawing Oliver’s icy walls. He laughed, feeling full of energy. “No, I can definitely do better.” Daniel’s voice was dripping with flirtation. “Did it hurt?”
Oliver arched a brow. “Did what hurt?”
“When you fell from heaven.”
Oliver groaned. “That’s even worse.” He picked up his glass and took a swig. “I think you read too many romance novels.”
Daniel widened his eyes in mock horror. “No such thing. You can never have too much romance, chocolate, or porn.”
Oliver smirked and Daniel gasped.
“What?” Oliver furrowed his brow.
Daniel placed his hand over his heart. “Was that… oh my god.” He leaned back in toward Oliver. “Did the epically stoic and grumpy Oliver Douglass just crack a smile?”
Oliver laughed. “Shut up.”
“And a laugh? Are you feeling okay? You must be sick.” Without thinking, Daniel pressed his hand to Oliver’s forehead and then his cheek, as though checking for a fever. And Oliver didn’t pull away. He looked right at Daniel, his hazel eyes sparkling and darkening. Except now Daniel was the one feeling hot, though he was wearing almost nothing.
Daniel dropped his hand quickly while attempting to save face. “No fever. Are you drunk?” He gestured to the glass in front of Oliver. “How many of these have you had?”
“Not enough if I’m going to be dealing with your cheesy pick-up lines for the rest of the night.” The words were so Oliver, but his voice was softer than Daniel was used to hearing.
“The book for Patty is in my bag in the dressing room. Do you have to get going or can I buy you a drink?”
Oliver gave Daniel a small frown and a quick nod. “I have time for a drink. I mean, I drove the whole way down here.”
Daniel’s head snapped up. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, Mom said something about having to have this book like immediately and said I could only grab it from you after your shift, so she sent me downtown at midnight.” Oliver finished the last of his drink and waved to the bartender. “It would have been easier to just buy her a new copy,” he muttered under his breath.
For the first time that evening, Daniel took a moment to notice more than Oliver’s face. He was not covered in flour, which was unusual. He was wearing dark jeans and a black button-down shirt, under a black blazer. His dark brown hair was styled, not a wild mess as it normally was. And Oliver always smelled good, but he was usually surrounded by the scent of cinnamon and cloves and butter. Tonight he just smelled clean, like soap.
It also suddenly occurred to Daniel that he had been the victim of Patty the Matchmaker, which he should have suspected sooner. She had said how bored she was and she’d been lamenting for years about Daniel’s unwillingness to find a nice guy, though he wasn’t sure how many people would use that word to refer to the sour man beside him.
Daniel smiled and slid onto the bar stool next to Oliver. “Well, thanks for coming down. I know how anxious Patty is to start reading the book.”
“What’s the damn thing about anyway?”
Daniel cleared his throat. “It’s a social commentary on the interactions of two people as they navigate the stresses of conscious coupling.”
Oliver stared at him, blinking. “It’s a romance, isn’t it?”
Daniel grinned. “Yes, and it’s sooooo good.” The smile on his face only grew as he was treated to another of Oliver’s rare laughs.
“Well, I’ll have to take your word for it. You are the book guy, after all.”
When the bartender came over, Oliver gestured to his empty glass. “You’re buying right?” he asked Daniel with a smirk.
Daniel nodded and looked up to place his order. “Hey, Mateo.”
“Hey, Daniel. How’s it going? Usual?”
Daniel smiled. “Yes, please. And a refill for my grumpy friend over here.”
The gorgeous bartender looked at Oliver. “Another whiskey sour?”
Oliver nodded and Daniel couldn’t hold back a loud laugh that continued until he was doubled over the bar. He couldn’t think of a more aptly named drink for his new friend.
Oliver tried to scowl but eventually joined in with Daniel’s laughter. “Okay, okay… I get it. I’m a riot.”
Daniel pulled himself together and straightened up, hand reaching up to brush away a tear that had escaped
his eye. “I would have never guessed you have a sense of humor.”
Oliver’s voice came out a touch more softly. “My guess is there are a lot of things you think you know about me.”
Of course, Oliver was right. For all Daniel had heard about him, he didn’t really know him well at all. Daniel raised an eyebrow as a wicked plan formed in his brain.
Mateo came back over, putting a glass in front of each of the men. Daniel thanked him before turning back to Oliver.
“I think I know you better than you think,” he said, sipping his Manhattan.
Oliver scoffed. “I doubt that.”
Daniel leaned forward. “Care to make a wager?”
Oliver kept his face neutral but Daniel could see curiosity sparking in his eyes.
“Ever play the game ‘two truths and a lie’?”
Oliver shook his head.
“Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like. You tell me three things about yourself. Two of those things have to be true and one is a lie. If I can guess which one is the lie, then I win. If I don’t, then you win.”
Oliver’s brow furrowed. “What kind of stakes are we talking?”
Daniel knew he had him. “Hmm... well, if I win you have to buy me dinner… No! You have to make me dinner.”
Oliver arched an eyebrow. “And if I win?”
“What do you want?”
Oliver’s face was neutral but his eyes were absolutely wicked. “We have an order for three hundred princess cookies for next weekend.”
“You fight dirty, Grumpy, but it doesn’t matter since I’m not going to lose.” Daniel grinned. “What do you say?”
Oliver looked at Daniel for a long moment, almost sizing him up. “You’re on, Book Nerd.”
Daniel knew he was grinning like a mad man and he didn’t care. “Okay, Ollie. Show me what you got.”
Oliver sighed. “You’re not going to stop with the ‘Ollie’ thing, are you?”
“Nope.”
Daniel expected a chastising comment or a stern look over his insistence at using the nickname, but Oliver said nothing. He just picked up his drink and swirled it in his glass for a minute or two, taking occasional sips, clearly taking this game very seriously. Daniel waited, somehow knowing that rushing him would be an exercise in futility. Instead, Daniel passed the time drinking in the man while he was lost in contemplation. Daniel looked into those expressive, hazel eyes he felt like he could fall into, gaze traveling down to the lean lines of Oliver’s neck and strong shoulders to the long fingers holding his glass. Daniel felt his eyes travelling lower when Oliver cleared his throat.