Asher’s answering smile was wicked. “I’ll be sure to express my appreciation for that tomorrow,” he said as he headed for the door. “Have fun!”
With that, he left Zach’s office, and Zach could hear him whistling as he returned to his own office. Zach shook his head. Being with Asher was wonderful, but it was also a roller coaster, and he just hoped he didn’t get flung off at some point.
Turning his attention to the brief, he managed to get it completed before 5:00 p.m., and with a sigh of relief he emailed it to Asher. After collecting his briefcase and overcoat, he left the office, heading for the subway and the short ride to his apartment.
After changing into jeans—regular, not the tight ones—and a dark green sweater, he headed out once again. Twenty minutes later, he arrived at Nepenthe, and he couldn’t help smiling as he remembered his first time at the club and the strange way he’d ended up in Asher’s bed.
The place was more crowded than it had been before, and it took him a minute to spot Kevin and Erik at a table against one wall. He made his way over to them through the press of bodies near the dance floor and smiled apologetically.
“Hi, I hope I’m not late. I can’t believe how packed it is in here tonight!”
Kevin smiled and shook his head. “I forgot, it’s the first night of Hanukkah,” he replied. “People are celebrating.”
“That’s right. I’d forgotten too,” Zach said as he took a seat at the table. He’d been so wrapped up in Asher, he hadn’t paid any attention to the date, and he needed to remember to email his Jewish friends when he got back home. “Have you ordered yet?”
“We ordered the first round of drinks and some appetizers,” Erik said. “We got you a rum and Coke. I hope that’s okay.”
“Perfect!” Zach nodded his approval. “Thanks.”
“No problem,” Kevin replied. He glanced around the club. “Looks like you’ll have your pick of guys tonight.”
Zach shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Um, about that… I’m not looking for anyone, at least not now.”
Kevin turned to look at him, eyes wide with surprise. “I thought what’s why you wanted to go out. What’s changed?”
“I’m interested in someone,” Zach admitted. “It happened after the last time we went out.”
“Our little Zachary found a man all by himself?” Erik leaned forward on his elbows, gazing at Zach with bright, inquisitive eyes. “Do tell! When, where, how… big?”
Zach’s face grew hot. “Erik, really! Do I look like the kind of man to kiss and tell?”
“But we’re your friends!” Kevin chimed in, his expression one of avid interest. “And your fairy godfathers, don’t forget! Come on, tell us…. Were you wearing the jeans?”
It was hard not to blurt everything out, because Zach wanted them to know who he was seeing, but he bit his lip, hesitating. “Yes, I was wearing the jeans,” he admitted, then chuckled as Kevin gave Erik a high five.
“I knew those jeans would make it happen,” Erik said. “So what’s he like? Tall, dark, and handsome? Blond and hunky? Did you find yourself a hot top who couldn’t wait to get you pinned to his mattress? Or did you do the pinning? Personally, I had you pegged as a bottom, but you never know.”
Zach was spared from needing to answer immediately by the arrival of their drinks and a large basket of homemade potato chips and dip. When the waiter departed, Zach took a deep sip from his drink, then looked at Erik.
“Definitely a tall, dark, and handsome top,” he said. He could say at least that much, since he doubted either of them would ever think someone like Asher would notice him. “I do happen to be more of a bottom, but with him… absolutely.”
“Sounds familiar.” Erik smirked at Kevin, then leaned over and kissed his cheek. “What does this tall, dark, and handsome top do for a living? Are you guys compatible outside of bed?”
Zach hesitated. “He’s a lawyer, actually.” He recalled the fun they’d had ice skating and the way Asher had relaxed and even been playful. “Yes, we’re compatible outside of bed. But it’s early days yet, you know? I don’t want to jinx anything.”
“I understand.” Erik nodded as he sipped his martini. “But Kevin and I want to make sure you find a good guy who’s going to treat you right. As your fairy godfathers, we feel responsible for you now. Don’t we, Kev?”
“Of course we do,” Kevin agreed. “Does he treat you well? Does he make you happy?”
Rather than offering a glib reply, Zach considered the questions. “He treats me very well,” he said quietly. “He makes me happier than I ever thought I could be.”
“Good. We want you to be happy,” Erik said with a firm nod. He studied Zach while he ate a couple of chips. “If he’s a lawyer, he must work at Caldwell and Monroe, but I can’t think of anyone suitable. Unless he’s not out?” he asked, fixing Zach with a quizzical look. “You need to be careful if he’s a closet case.”
Erik was getting far too close to the truth, but Zach hated to lie, especially to friends. “I never said he worked at Caldwell and Monroe,” he pointed out, hoping it would change Erik’s focus on the firm. “He’s not closeted. He’s just… picky.”
“Well, you haven’t mentioned going out without us, and I know how much time you invest at the office, so unless this is some kind of star-crossed romance with a lawyer from a rival firm, it’s got to be someone from Caldwell and Monroe,” Erik pointed out. “Are you sure he’s not in the closet? The only unattached gay lawyer I know of is Asher Caldwell.” Seeing Zach’s guilty start, Erik stared at him, eyes wide with shock. “Oh, my God—you’re sleeping withAsher Caldwell?”
Zach stared back, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He couldn’t believe Erik had guessed who he was seeing, and he had to make himself stay in his chair rather than getting up and fleeing.
