Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66863 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66863 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
My heart sped up at the request. Words were stuck in my throat as I opened my mouth but nothing came out right away. “I…” Was he asking me on a date? Did he realize I was gay without me telling him? Again, I wasn’t ashamed but I also didn’t date. I slept with men I didn’t know from time to time but that was the extent of it.
“Just dinner. We’re neighbors, after all.”
“Why?” I asked even though he’d basically just told me why. Asking people to dinner was completely normal.
Kieran shrugged and smiled. “All that matters is that I want you to come. I like to get my way. Be there at seven, please,” and then Kieran stepped out of the elevator.
I watched him, dumbfounded, unsure of what to think. When the elevator doors began to close again, I jumped into action slipping out. I thought about going after Kieran, about telling him I wouldn’t be going to his condo for dinner. That it didn’t matter what he wanted, because, seriously, who said shit like that?
But I didn’t. Instead I went the opposite direction and headed for the firm.
*
Work was long, grueling and busy. My newest client was a repeat offender for drugs, which was always a hard one for me.
Phil had needed my help with a case he was working on, so even though I was technically able to leave at three, I stayed late to help him. This, I was used to—helping at work. Drinks were another story.
“There’s a loophole or something here I’m not seeing. I know there is.” He pulled his glasses off and pinched the bridge of his nose.
The thing was I knew he was right. We weren’t seeing the bigger picture on this case, but it was there. “We’ll figure it out. We just have to zoom out a little. Take in more of the scenery.”
He cocked a brow at my wording, but then got a sweet, almost affectionate smile on his face. “I like that,” Phil replied.
My eyes darted away, unsure what to think.
He tossed a few of the files beside me and we kept looking. We kept researching for an hour, then two.
I couldn’t say what it was that made the lightbulb finally go off in my brain. State vs Andrew Miller. I frantically began searching for information on the case from about a year ago.
I’d always been a speed reader. I took in word after word, sentence after sentence until… “Fuck yes! Here it is!”
Phil’s eyes darted up and he pushed his chair closer to mine. “They got Miller off because the key witness for the state was—”
“Hell yes!” Phil cut me off. “You are a goddamn genius, Jared!”
My eyes went wide when he jerked me in for a hug. I froze because I wasn’t sure what to do. Hug him back was the easy response but this was…different. I didn’t know what it was about this hug that clued me in, but the knowledge was there. The initial fear skittered down my spine because I wasn’t sure how people would react but he was hugging me and from the way he’d been looking at me, Phil was gay too.
“You saved my ass on this, man. I don’t know how to repay you,” Phil said when we pulled apart, but we were close. I smelled his cologne and saw a small scar by his mouth. “Let me take you out tonight.”
Let me take you out tonight… He wanted to take me on a date? Why didn’t I ever let myself date? “No…I couldn’t.”
“Just as a thank you. Come on, Jared. It’ll be fun.” He gave me a smile that made my pulse accelerate.
A date, it hit me again. I had been asked out on a date which made excitement skitter through me. But, then, my palms started to sweat. I thought about work and if I was asked to be partner and what could go wrong if I went on a date with him.
Did I even want to go on a date with Phil?
I didn’t know. He was cute. His black hair was always messy, as though he’d run his hands through it a million times. He had full lips and blue eyes…but I wasn’t sure if he was my type. What if I said no, and he was offended, and…
“It’s okay if you’re not out. Shit, you’re queer, right? I’m going to be really embarrassed if you aren’t.”
“I’m gay,” I said softly.
“So come out with me,” he asked again.
Kieran popped into my head, and his request—could I even call it a request—from earlier. “I can’t. I’m sorry, but I already have plans.”
Speaking of plans, it was six thirty and I was supposed to be at Kieran’s at seven. He’d told me to be there at seven.
“Date?” Phil asked.
“No. But I should go. I’m running late. I’m glad I could be of some help.”