Working Date Read online

  Ethan shrugged with a smile. “You can a little, if you want.”

  Beau's expression didn't change. “Well, I don't. But you want to hear what I think?”

  Sobering, Ethan braced himself. “Okay.”

  “I think the last week has been pretty intense.”

  No way was Ethan about to let Beau explain away the last week like that. Stubborn, he shook his head. “It's not just that-”

  “Let me finish, please.” When he had Ethan's silence, Beau said, “I think when I saw you last week I felt better than I had in months. Years, maybe. How about you?”

  Ethan felt pretty sure there was a 'but' headed his way. Cautiously, he admitted, “I couldn't believe it was you.”

  “I know what you mean. I had a really good time at dinner.” Beau's grip tightened on Ethan's as he added warmly, “And after. And I was really looking forward to that phone call.”

  The reminder was a glum one. “Me too,” said Ethan.

  “Then a certain someone's mentally unstable boyfriend clocked me over the head and threw a wrench in our plans.”

  Ethan started to protest. “He doesn't have to have anything to do with us.” If he had learned anything over the last few years, it was not to let the bad guys get any more space in his head than they'd already taken by force.

  “No, he does not.” Beau firmly agreed. “So let's pump the breaks a little. Something tells me I won't be up for traveling much the next week. I probably won't be up for much of anything.” He was apologetic.

  “I just want to see you,” Ethan assured.

  It seemed those were the magic words. Beau asked, “Can I invite you over for dinner?”

  With a short roll of his eyes, Ethan said, “You know you can.” He bit his lip. “Maybe when you're feeling better, you can come back to Ansel. I haven't even gotten to show you around. I know it's far, but at least you wouldn't have to stay in that lousy hotel again.”

  “That's a definite plus. But you know what?”

  Ethan felt warm all over. He realized he was smiling. “What?”

  “Ansel isn't that far from San Francisco. It's what, a hundred, hundred twenty miles?”

  Laughing, Ethan admitted, “Yeah, it sounds easy when you say it like that. But what do you call three hours in gridlocked traffic?”

  Beau's blue eyes were smiling as he kissed the back of Ethan's hand. “Worth it.”

  ***

  Working Date (c) 2019 Eleanor Dax

  Cover by Designrans.