Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“Maybe there is more going on here than we think,” Evan said. “Red, do you have the ability to read our minds or something?”
“I don’t have to be a mind reader to know what you two are thinking all the time,” Red said, rolling his eyes.
“Bullshit,” Evan said.
“You two only think about each other, 90% of the time. The other 10% is probably about math for Evan, and for Mitch, it’s football and your son. Hopefully not in that order.”
“And for you it’s 100% rock paper scissors tactics,” Evan said, reaching over to punch Red on the shoulder. All of us were laughing like fools now as a group of people came through the front door.
“See? This is why I love having you here,” I told Evan as Red went over to help the new customers.
“So that I can settle arguments between you and your boss?”
“Exactly. And I get to look at you across the bar. That’s always pretty nice, too.” I smiled, leaning over and giving him a kiss before returning to cutting limes and lemons for the bar.
I couldn’t help but notice a few minutes later when a young man walked in and parked himself on the stool right next to Evan’s. There were plenty of other seats open, but he chose to sit right next to my boyfriend. The guy was wearing a leather jacket and his blonde hair was windswept.
“What can I get for you?” I asked him.
“Oh, I guess I’ll get a gin and tonic,” he said. I made him one, complete with a fresh-cut lime slice. When I brought it back over, he was talking to Evan.
“All I’m saying is that you’re really fucking hot,” he told Evan.
I lifted an eyebrow as I slid his drink over the bar. Evan was blushing and clearly trying to think of how best to respond without hurting the guy’s feelings too badly.
“Gin and tonic, made fresh for the guy who’s currently hitting on my boyfriend,” I said, giving the guy a wry smile.
Now he was the one who was blushing hard.
“Shit. Oh shit, I’m so sorry. Fuck, please don’t beat me up?” the guy said, staring at the muscles of my arms.
I couldn’t help but snort a laugh. “Beat you up?”
“Mitch couldn’t hurt a fly,” Evan said, smiling graciously at the guy.
“Hey, I definitely could hurt a fly,” I protested. “I definitely could hurt a mosquito. Hate those fucking things.”
“Well, I’m glad I’m not a fly or a mosquito. But I’m still sorry for hitting on your boyfriend. I didn’t know,” the guy said, reaching for his jacket.
“Hey, hey—it’s okay,” I said. “I mean, you were right, after all. I think Evan’s really hot, too.”
“Don’t go, you haven’t even finished your drink,” Evan said. “What brings you to Red’s?”
For the next half hour, Evan and I shot the shit with the new guy and ended up enjoying his company. I thought about how different this all could have been just a few weeks ago. If I hadn’t been Evan’s boyfriend… who knows? Evan might have struck up a conversation with the new guy and they may have been on their first date right now.
Instead, everything was easier because I was Evan’s boyfriend.
When the new guy caught somebody else’s eye, Evan finished his beer and stood up.
“All right. I think tonight is a lasagna night,” Evan said. “Zach likes lasagna, right?”
“If my kid didn’t enjoy lasagna, we’d have problems,” I told him. “It’s fine that he hates sports, but lasagna is a Price family tradition.”
“Perfect,” Evan said. “I’ll head over and start it up now. It takes a while to fully cook, so by the time you get home, the leftovers may still be hot, even.”
“I’m drooling already,” I said.
“Could I grab the keys from you? Last time Zach wasn’t home when I went over, and I had to climb in the old back window. Which, by the way, we really should repair—”
“Oh, shit! I forgot. Hang on,” I said, holding up a finger and heading back to the office. I retrieved a small envelope and brought it back out to Evan, handing it over. “Here.”
He opened it, pulling out the key inside. “What?”
“I made you a copy earlier this morning. Copper General was fucking slammed, by the way. Only in Amberfield is a hardware store a social hub.”
Evan was holding the small golden key in his palm, just staring down at it. “You… made me a key copy?”
“Of course,” I said. “It’s perfect for situations like tonight, and you’re over at least half the time. I want you to have it in case there’s ever an emergency, too.”
“Mitch,” Evan said, pocketing the key and leaning far over the bar, wrapping his arms around me in a tight hug.
I chuckled. “Hang on, hang on,” I said. I crossed over to the other side of the bar, giving him a proper hug. “I like it better when there isn’t a bar in between us,” I said.