Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
After they placed their orders, Dev released a happy sigh and looked around. The smile on his lips hadn’t dimmed since he’d suggested food.
Conversation. Kai needed to make conversation. He could do this.
“You’re having a lot of adult meals recently,” he observed and started to rethink his comment, when Dev laughed. Okay, maybe it was a good comment.
“You’re right! Way more than I was expecting while Jake was at camp,” Dev replied. He stared at Kai for a second and shook his head. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For this adventure.”
Kai just stared at him, speechless for a moment. That was easily the last thing he’d ever expected Devlin to say. “Dev,” he choked out, but Dev was already waving off anything he was going to say.
He leaned close across the table, lowering his voice. “I’m not talking about the bodies or the lunatic. I could do without those.”
Okay, that was good. Dev hadn’t lost his mind.
His dinner companion straightened, his smile turning a little wry. “I’m talking about dinner. About flying off to Lake Tahoe and introducing me to a very interesting woman. Now I’m in San Francisco and about to have what smells like a delicious meal with the most interesting man I’ve ever met.”
“Oh.” Sure, it was lame, but it was all he could think to say. No one had ever called him interesting before.
Dev shrugged and looked down at his water glass. The tips of his fingers grasped the stem of the goblet and turned it on the white tablecloth. “Adam and I didn’t travel a lot. Money was always on the tight side. When we adopted Jake, any vacations were geared toward what would entertain a kid while not being too expensive. There was never enough time or money for adult things.” He paused and shrugged again. “I think I kind of wrote off ever doing those things again until he was in college.”
“I’m glad I could give you an adventure,” Kai said, feeling lighter about everything. “I will admit that I’m kind of surprised at how well you are handling all that has happened over the past few days. I can only guess that it comes from your experience with Justin and Gabriel.”
Dev lifted one hand and wobbled it from side to side. “Maybe some. I’ve always been one of those people who kind of rolls with the insanity. Science is a lot of experimentation and failure. I expect things to not work out and have backup plans. Or just think of new ideas on the fly.” He paused, his expression turning a little wistful. “All of this would have sent Adam into panic attacks. He always needed order and control. Everything had to adhere to a plan. But living like that meant he was incredibly organized. Always had our calendar up to date with appointments and events we had to attend. Since his passing, I’ve had to learn how to be organized for Jake’s sake.”
Kai struggled not to frown. It was wrong to feel the stab of jealousy over Devlin’s husband. Dev wasn’t his. Wouldn’t ever be his. That didn’t mean he couldn’t worry and comfort him.
“Does it hurt to talk about him?”
The man surprised him with a soft smile. “No. I thought it would, but it’s weird. I don’t feel the usual pain that comes with remembering him when I’m talking to you. You didn’t know Adam, or us when we were together, so the memories don’t feel tainted by his death when I talk to you.” His smile disappeared suddenly, worry filling his gaze. “Does it bother you for me to talk about him?”
“No, of course not.”
Dev huffed a relieved laugh. “Good. Though, it’s weird. I probably shouldn’t feel comfortable discussing Adam with you considering what happened.”
Kai inwardly winced. He was talking about the kiss. There was a faint blush in his cheeks again and his eyes were studiously locked on his water. “I am sorry about that. It never should have happened. I swear that I will not attempt such a thing again,” Kai quickly said in a low voice.
“Oh. Because I’ve been cursing myself for panicking and freezing. I was kind of hoping that maybe we could try it again. I didn’t want you to think I was utterly hopeless when it came to kissing. In fact, I think I’m rather good at it.”
He was so screwed. There was no defense in the world against a charming Devlin Relic. It was rather amazing that Kai wasn’t leaning across the table and kissing the man senseless already.
“Are you sure?” Kai croaked when he could get his brain to actually function.
“Yes. Definitely.”
“Okay. Um…maybe.”
“Unless you don’t want to.”
“No, I do. Just…”
Conversation fizzled to an awkward halt. How did Dev turn him into a babbling, awkward teenager every time they were in the same room together? Fuck. He couldn’t remember being this awkward and hopeless when he had been younger.