Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“They get along well,” Steven says, pulling my thoughts from Gary and Raymond.
“They do. Raymond is great.”
“He is.” Steven grins. “As is Gary. I know the two of you haven’t been together long, but you make a lovely couple.”
We’re not a couple. We’re lying, drifts through my head. My hand tightens on Gary’s shoulder.
“I know it may seem like I’m dicking you around—making you come here tonight, but I wouldn’t do it if I wasn’t interested in doing business with you, Travis.”
For the first time since dinner started—hell, maybe for the first time since the pool party, I feel like I can breathe.
“Thank you. It means a lot to me to hear that. I love what I do. There’s nothing I take more seriously than my career. If we move forward together, and I hope we will, I want you to know there’s not a harder worker than me. I don’t care what I have to do. I’ll make sure it’s a worthwhile investment for you. I’ve…I’ve given up a lot to be where I am.”
“You should be proud of what you’ve accomplished so far,” he says, and I am. I really fucking am, but, Jesus, does it feel good to hear someone else tell me that…and there’s a part of me that feels like it’s not enough.
“I’m proud, but I want more.”
He winks at me. “Most good businessmen do. That’s a good sign. I have a proposition for you.”
My first instinct is to tell him it sounds kinky because I’ve always had a dirty mind, but I hold back. “I’m listening.”
“Raymond and I are putting together a fundraiser that’s happening in a few weeks. It’s in your neighborhood, at Flirt. Fundraising is incredibly important to Raymond—well, both of us, but him especially. He had it hard when he was younger, and this is his way to give back.”
“That’s very honorable,” I tell him, meaning it.
“I agree. It’s why I love him so much, but anyway, I have some information, if you’d like to look it over. I was thinking we could use this as a sort of trial run. Maybe you—and Gary if he’s interested”—he looks Gary’s way, and I glance over to see Gary turn to Steven as well—“if you’re interested, we can work on the fundraiser together. I have upcoming business trips, so it’s a lot for Raymond to handle on his own. If everything goes well and if the way we do business fits well with one another, maybe we’ll be able to come to an agreement to move forward with your venture.”
For a second, I’m not sure if I heard him correctly. This is it. My chance. I fucking know it. I know jackshit about fundraisers, but I’ll do whatever I need to prove myself.
“Absolutely. I can help in any way. What do you think, Travis?” Gary asks and damned if there isn’t sincerity in his eyes. I don’t know if it’s because this is something he really wants to do or because it’s important to him to help me, but I see it there.
“Yeah…yeah, I think that’s a great idea. Whatever you guys need, Gary and I are in.” Then I pull him toward me and press a quick kiss to his forehead, hoping like hell I look like a good boyfriend, but also really hoping to show him how grateful I am…and maybe I’m realizing that I just like kissing Gary too.
Damned if he doesn’t almost look like he’s blushing.
13
Gary
It’s just Travis, I remind myself as he pulls away from the kiss on my forehead. It stirs this warm feeling within me. A feeling I might have had when I was with Peter. It’s not something I can control. Just some knee-jerk reaction my body has to the seemingly affectionate kiss. It’s part of his act, but I’m certain he can see me blushing.
I’m not like him. I don’t like people knowing what I’m feeling.
I try to play off my awkwardness by grabbing my glass of Chardonnay and taking another sip.
Empty.
It’s only my first glass, but I feel lovely right now.
I guess I got so absorbed in my conversation with Raymond I forgot about drinking.
“Here, I’ve got you,” Steven says, pouring me another glass. He chuckles and looks to Travis. “Don’t you worry. I’ve been topping your boyfriend’s drink off all night.”
I exchange a worried look with Travis, who appears not to have noticed either. I’m sure he was so busy trying to impress Steven that he didn’t see him steadily pouring wine to the point that I’m now feeling really good. Really, really good.
I pretend to take another sip but then set the glass down quickly.
They’re going to think I’m a wino.
But as I look to Travis, his smirk suggests he’s amused more than anything.
Fortunately, we only stay a few minutes longer before Steven pays the bill and escorts us out to the front. I’m not stumbling or anything, so I couldn’t have gone too far overboard with the drinking.