“Smile!”
Wes turned at that announcement, and abright flash flooded his eyes.He recognized the photographer ofthe evening, who nodded his head.
“Nice one.Thanks, gentlemen,” he saidbefore moving on to capture other couples and singles.
“I hope I get a copy of that picture, or noone will believe I danced withtheWes Stewart.”Chasechuckled.“I really enjoyed your speech tonight.Very few peoplecan speak without reading the whole thing from their notes.Iimagine you get a lot of public appearance requests,” Chase saidwith a smile.
“I do, but I’m getting more selective.Ireally love events like this one and the ability to use my publicposition for positive change.”He paused.“And what about you,Chase?Do you enjoy your work?”
“Immensely.I appreciate being back in myhometown, too.There’s something about this city and this statethat just won’t let go of me.”Chase turned his head and nodded atthe mayor dancing nearby with his wife.“And the weather ain’t badeither.It’s great if you’re like me and you need to stay activeyear-round.I loved Miami, but the summers just killed me.Whatabout you?Do you enjoy living in Toronto?”
“I do.It’s a multicultural city with lotsof good restaurants, parks, and festivals.A bit like New York butless frenetic.But I’m on the road a lot, too.I love to travel forpleasure, and I’m looking forward to some of that once my book touris done.”
“Maybe you can head on down here anothertime for pleasure instead of business,” Chase joked.
Wes smiled politely.Despite the closecontact, Wes’s body wasn’t reacting to Chase.Not like it reactedto Ryker.Did Ryker dance?Wes certainly hoped so.His body hadmoved so fluidly when they were in bed together.
“Earth to Wes,” Chase murmured, his largehands running up Wes’s back.
“Sorry, Chase.Just tired and caught up inmy head.”
Chase laughed, a twinkle in his blue eyes.“And here I was hoping to invite you back to my place for anightcap.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m wiped out,”Wes replied.
Chase grinned at Wes.“Is that all?Gotsomeone else on your mind?”
“Yes,” Wes said automatically.“Wait, no.”He shook his head.“No.I’m just tired.”
As the dance finished, Wes decided the bestway to shake his weird mood was to focus on someone else and playmatchmaker.“I think there’s another man you should talk to tonightand maybe invite for a nightcap,” he said as he waved Ashtonover.
Chase shook his head.“No way.You don’tunderstand, Wes.It’s complicated.Ash and I have a long history.Idid this piece on his father, and he refuses to acknowledge that Idid the right thing in exposing the man for the crook he was, farfrom the saint he portrayed.Ashton Langley may have been voted oneof Atlanta’s most eligible gay men, but he is a stubborn,hot-tempered control freak.Every time I see him, I just want tograb him and tell him to wake up.”
Wes held up a hand.“Have a realconversation with him and bury your long-standing feud, and maybeskip the personal jabs.He may or may not want to hear what youhave to say, but you’ve got nothing to lose.”
Ashton walked up to them, his dark browsfurrowed in irritation.
Wes sighed.“I’m beat, so I’m going to headback to my hotel.Chase, thanks for the dance.It was very nice tomeet you.And, Ashton, I had a great evening.Best of luck withyour ongoing work.I’m happy to support PrideAtlanta however Ican,” he said, shaking Ashton’s hand.“Here’s my number and e-mail.Let’s keep in touch.”He then handed over his personal cards toboth men.
“Thank you again for being here tonight,”Ashton replied and made to turn away until Wes stopped him.“Ashton, Chase needs to talk to you.”
And with that, Wes left the ballroom, thoughhe stopped at the door to see how his little maneuver had unfolded.Chase reached out and touched Ashton’s arm, leaning over to whisperin his ear.He then placed a hand on Ashton’s hip and drew him backonto the dance floor.Ashton looked stiff and uncomfortable, but hewent along with it, and they started talking as they swayed slowlyto the music.No raised voices or angry faces.So far, so good.
Wes observed the intense way they reacted toeach other.Chemistry like that could not be denied.
He should know.Ryker.
Chapter Sixteen
Ryker
Ryker was unusually grumpy by week’send.
Even his fur babies ignored him.He wasterse with his editor and lambasted his agent.Then he called backto apologize to both of them.He couldn’t seem to get into aregular sleep pattern, and his anxiety grabbed hold of him onceagain.And last night, he’d had a nightmare—a bad one.
The rest of the week, he’d woken in themiddle of the night and just couldn’t fall back asleep.He’d triedto distract himself by working long hours finalizing his currentbook.Meanwhile, Wes had traveled to Miami and then New Orleans,texting about his travels and sending ideas and suggestions fortheir collaboration.Ryker reviewed Wes’s notes and decided thatthey should formalize their partnership and get an agreement doneup.It was time to get off the fence and commit.Ryker should’vebeen happy.He was starting a new venture that would hopefully meanbigger things for his career.Instead, he was irritable andfrustrated.
Ryker kept his communications with Wesfocused on work even though he’d been tempted to ask about hislatest social media posts.He’d seen a picture of Wes at thePrideAtlanta benefit, dancing with a very good-looking man namedChase Declair.Ryker had Googled the name and found out he was thehead anchor at theAtlanta Evening Edition.In the picture,Declair had his arms around Wes, and Wes was smiling at the cameraas if he were on top of the world.Which he should be, Rykersupposed, since it appeared he had men falling over him everywherehe went.
