God, he looks so good.
The man could barely cook to save his life but his fashion sense was flawless. Then again, Zach looked amazing in pretty much anything he wore. Today’s white T-shirt beneath a navy and brown button down and old jeans didn’t disappoint.
“You still got time to eat?” Zach asked.
“Yep. Just finishing some notes.”
“Hi.” Sammie beamed. “We haven’t met before. I’m Sammie.”
“Zach.”
“Cael told me about your sister. I’m so sorry to hear. I hope she’s better soon.”
“Yeah. Me too. Thanks.”
Sammie glanced between them. “Well, I’d better get back to work. You guys enjoy your lunch.”
Having logged all the notes for his last patient, Cael closed the cover over his tablet and slid it into the drawer beside Sammie.
“Thanks, Sammie. Back in a bit.” Cael looked at Zach, taking his drink from him. He always knew which one was his because Zach always punched in all the little bubbles on his lid. “You wanna eat outside?”
Zach shrugged. “Sure.”
The weather outside was perfect. The sky was blue with patches of white, fluffy clouds that reminded Cael of the wall paper in the movie Toy Story. The slight breeze complimented the warm rays of the sun, keeping the temperature just right. Cael led Zach to the side courtyard crowded with an abundance of cheap plastic tables and chairs covered with equally cheap vinyl umbrellas.
“I went to see Abbey before coming over here,” Zach blurted out as they each dragged a chair out from under a table, scraping the molded plastic across the concrete. Both men sat.
“How is she?”
“The same,” Zach said, his voice sullen, as he pulled out two hot pastramis on rye and a handful of napkins.
Starving, Cael grabbed one sandwich and unwrapped it. “Sorry, Pook. I wish there was something more I could do.”
“Yeah, I know.” Zach shook his head, staring down at his unwrapped sandwich. He puffed his cheeks, letting out a slow breath. “So, you coming over tonight?” Zach asked, his tone shifting into something more hopeful. He slowly peeled back the wrapper, then took a bite from one half of his pre-cut sandwich.
“I figured.”
“Good,” he mumbled with his mouth full.
“Good?” Cael smirked with one eyebrow raised just to tease him, hoping to lighten Zach’s mood a little more.
“What?”
“Nothing. You’re just cute, is all,” Cael joked, but dammit, he really was.
“Shut up,” Zach snapped then grinned, throwing a wadded up napkin at him.
Cael laughed, trying not to let on how much he really wanted him, but the look Zach gave him made it extremely difficult because now, all he wanted to do was lean over the table and kiss him. He’d never wanted so much to feel those lips on his. To taste that luscious mouth and absorb his scent. To rub his hands over his gorgeous—
“Hey.” Zach nudged his foot under the table, breaking his trance.
Cael blinked rapidly to clear his vacant stare and focused in on Zach. Zach looked at him as though he couldn’t figure something out, or maybe he wondered what Cael was thinking. That’s when Cael realized that his breathing had deepened, thanks to his little daydream, and the crotch of his pants had tightened. Crap.
“Hmm?” Cael asked, not trusting his voice quite yet. He took another bite of hot pastrami and rye.
Zach’s thoughtful gaze rested on his for a few seconds longer. Just long enough for Cael to reel in his emotions and turn this around on him, because what better way to hide his feelings than by teasing Zach about his. If there was a chance they could make a go of it together, Cael would be upfront and just tell him, but the look Zach gave him—as if he’s either confused or lost—could have absolutely nothing to do with Cael and everything to do with his sister. For now, better to err on the safe side and just razz him a little the way he usually did.
Cael washed the last bite down with a swig of root beer and grinned. “Dude, seriously, you have got to stop looking at me like that.”
