“Good morning, Luca.Yes, I arrived safelyin the Big Apple, just like I texted you last night, and yes, I amon my way to meet Mac shortly,” he said while continuing to sip hiscoffee.
“I know that, Wesley.I have a tracker onyour phone.”Luca chuckled.“Kidding!Anyhoo, I was calling toremind you that Greyson flew down this morning and will meet you atMac’s office at eleven AM.He also changed his mind and willaccompany you to the dinner party at eight PM tomorrow.”Lucapaused, and Wes could hear typing, as well as what sounded likeLuca’s favorite singer, Adele, in the background.“Your interviewtomorrow over the lunch hour at Storico has been moved from one toone thirty PM, and a different reporter will attend.I’ve forwardedher bio to you and Greyson.”
Greyson Ineja was Wes’s PR rep and oldestfriend.Grey built and ran a successful national public relationsbusiness based in Toronto.Most of the day-to-day client dealingswere taken care of by his staff, but Grey still handled a few highprofile clients like Wes as a personal favor.Grey kept himselfoccupied with work twenty-four seven since his wife, Andrea, passedaway over a year ago in a car accident.Wes had encouraged Grey totake time off, but he refused.Wes often wondered if Grey’smarriage had been worth the pain he now saw in his friend’s eyes.Grey had assured Wes that one day he would understand.Wes stillwasn’t convinced.
“Grey texted me a few minutes ago.Thanksfor the updated reporter bio.Anything else I need to know?Haveyou reorganized my closet again?My kitchen?Don’t forget, thebedroom is a no-go zone after last time.”Wes laughed.Luca openlyacknowledged his hyper-organized tendencies, but after Wes haddiscovered his bedroom drawer of sex supplies and toys neatlylabeled and arranged, the nightstand was deemed off limits.
“You laugh, but I’m sure you appreciatefinding what you need quickly when the mood strikes.Anyway,getting back to actual work, I also confirmed the timing for yourappearance onWeekend New Yorkon Sunday.Oh, and I packedyou lots of condoms and lube.Play safe.”Luca snorted and hungup.
Wes chuckled and glanced around at the othertables, taking note of various couples and singles chatting away,listening to music, or working.He signaled the waiter for hisbill, and once he was all settled up, he grabbed his phone andlaptop.He decided to walk to Mac’s office, given the mildweather.
As he rose to his full six-foot-one height,his eyes caught on a handsome brunet man in a navy striped suit atthe far end of the patio.The man smiled at Wes, staring for a verylong time.Then the man gestured at him to come over.As Wesapproached, the man stood up and nodded, the lust evident in hisbig brown eyes.
“I couldn’t help but notice you sittingthere by yourself.You’re much too handsome to be without company.Would you like to join me?I’m Duncan,” the man murmured, smilingflirtatiously and placing his hand on Wes’s arm.His warm eyes andwide smile were definitely appealing, but Wes just wasn’t in themood for a hook-up, nor did he have time today.
“You’re too kind, Duncan, but unfortunately,I have a busy day ahead,” he replied with his practiced grin.“Enjoy the sunshine.”
And with that, Wes went on his way.He couldfeel the man staring at his back, or more likely his ass, and for amoment, he thought about returning to get his number.He let thatidea drift away.Maybe tomorrow night, after the dinner party, hecould find a club and a sexy man to spend a few pleasurable hourswith.He’d get rid of his stress and clear his head for theupcoming week.
Right now, he needed to focus on work andget his in-demand ass moving.Walking briskly, he was thankful thathis morning runs had paid off.He arrived on time without breakingmuch of a sweat.
Entering the art deco building on FifthAvenue, he couldn’t help but appreciate the large windows andstark, geometric design.He looked around the lobby and spottedGrey sitting in a black leather chair, checking his phone with onehand and running the other through his curly chestnut hair, whichnow had quite a few grey strands.Wes teased Grey that he wasfinally starting to live up to his namesake.He also noticed thelines of tension around Grey’s mouth and the prominent cheekbonesthat seemed sharper than ever.He reminded himself to be extraattentive to his friend and ensure Grey enjoyed himself while onthis business trip.
“Hey, lazy ass, ready to get this weekunderway?”Wes yelled out as he approached with a wave.He notedGrey’s half smile, and when his friend came over, Wes leaned downand gave him a hug.Grey was a few inches shorter than Wes, with aslimmer build that was bordering on skinny lately.Grey lingered inthe hug, and Wes gave one final squeeze to comfort his friendbefore he let go.
“I’ve never been lazy a day in my life, youfucker!”Grey said jokingly as he smacked Wes’s shoulder.“I have agood feeling about this meeting, Wes.I’m excited to see what Machas to say.”They walked together to the elevator in the center ofthe lobby.“What about the rest of the week?Any concerns aboutyour public appearances?The interview tomorrow or the showSunday?”That was Grey, right back to business.He was aproblem-solver by nature: calm, cool, and way too collected.
Wes smiled at his friend and shook his head.“Everything will be fine, Grey.My only concern is this potentialbook deal.It’s an intriguing carrot that Mac’s dangling under mynose, and I’m ready to bite.”
The elevator pinged loudly when they arrivedat the twenty-fifth floor, and they entered a sleek office with awall of posters that Wes recognized as best-selling book covers.Lots of white leather furniture and colorful artwork filled thespace.A smiling receptionist sat at a glossy desk, her fuchsiapixie cut and matching lips a sharp complement to the cool decor.“Good morning and welcome to Duran Communications.How can I assistyou?”she asked as her big blue eyes roved slowly over bothmen.
“Good morning.Wes Stewart and Greyson Inejato see Mac Duran,” Grey smoothly replied, sliding his business cardacross the desktop along with a returning, albeit cooler,smile.
“Of course.Can I offer you a beverage whileyou’re waiting?Latte?Vitamin Water?My name is Helena, by theway,” she said.
“Just spring water for the two of us, pleaseand thanks, Helena,” Wes said with his trademark grin, noting hersigh as she walked off behind her desk.
Grey turned to him and rolled his eyes.“Guess she doesn’t read the tabloids and all your adventures withmen.Many, many men,” he joked.
Before Wes could provide a smart-asscomeback, the door at the end of the hallway opened and Macappeared, walking toward them.The dark expression on his sharpface was so intense that he seemed to suck all the air from theroom.But as he came closer, his icy countenance morphed into ahuge grin.“How the fuck did you two jokers get past buildingsecurity?”he asked.
“Mac, great to see you again.”Wes held outhis hand.Mac grabbed it and gave him a quick hug—just a friendlyone.Wes didn’t feel any spark of attraction to Mac, and hepreferred it that way.Separation of business and pleasure wasusually best.
Usually.
“So glad you’re here, Wes.”Mac smiled andturned to Grey to shake his hand.“Grey, it’s been a long time.”Hepaused and his smile faded.“I’m sorry again about Andrea.How haveyou been?”
Wes heard Grey’s quick intake of breath andlooked over to see if his friend needed support.
“I’m taking it day by day,” Grey said, thengave a quick smile and pointed at Wes.“It helps to have goodfriends like this charming ass here.”Wes chuckled.“How about you,Mac?Business good?”Grey asked, deftly changing the subject.
“It’s been a good year.I have otherbusinesses under my global communications brand, but the publishingarm is special to me.My grandfather started it, so I want to keepit going as long as possible.But who knows—the publishing worldgets smaller and smaller every year.Anyway, let’s head on back tomy office.”
Mac led them down the hallway and into alarge corner office with minimal furniture and plenty of naturallight.He gestured to two sleek chairs in front of the desk.Therewas a knock at the door and Helena entered, sliding the glasses ofwater onto the desk, then silently leaving.
Wes looked around, noticing several pictureson the wall behind Mac, including many famous authors, celebrities,and artists.No pictures on his desk, though.No personal touches.Wes didn’t know much about Mac except that he was a workaholic, hadwicked negotiating skills, and was very well connected in thiscity.At his last visit, Wes and Mac had chatted about the bestrestaurants and clubs to visit, but there was no talk of aboyfriend, partner, or family, except for Mac’s grandfather.Weswas always curious about people and their stories, but decided toput his nosy inclinations about Mac aside for the time being.
Mac leaned forward, his forearms on hisdesk, and his cool green eyes assessed them.“Are we ready to talkabout a potential new book series?”he asked, pointing to hislaptop.“I’ve drafted a sample proposal for a three-book deal, aswell as timelines and the prospective offer for you to review withGrey.Keep in mind, this is a draft for your review only at themoment.R.D.has yet to provide his buy-in.And I want to warn you,this will be a demanding project.That said, I think it means goodthings for your respective careers.I’ve invited R.D.to dinnerSaturday so you can meet in a more relaxed environment.I mentionedthe collaboration, but he still isn’t sold on the idea, so don’t beoffended if he seems unreceptive.” Mac gave a small sigh, aslight grimace on his face.
