“You didn’t run him off,” I replied. Jonathon Silver wasn’t the kind of guy anyone ran off. “His loss was recent, and he’s still coming to terms with things.”
“Still, I didn’t help matters any,” Emory said.
“You can’t be blamed for what you didn’t know, Emory.” I tipped my head to the side and debated on whether I should ask what I was thinking or let it go.
“Go ahead and ask me,” he said.
“Did you have a vision or something when you shook Silver’s hand?”
“Yeah, you could say that,” he replied wryly. “He wasn’t in danger in my vision, if that was what you were concerned about.” It was what worried me, so I didn’t press for more information. Besides, the telltale blush on his cheek spoke volumes. “Thank you for a lovely evening,” he said. “I’ll see you around the neighborhood.”
“Take care, Emory.”
Back upstairs, the vibe in the room was more relaxed. Someone had loaded upFriendson Netflix, and Chaz and Kyle were busy talkingWorld of Warcraftin between reciting their favorite lines in the episode they were watching. It looked like they were getting more relaxed with each other’s company.FriendsandWorld of Warcraft; I guess relationships were built on less.
I sat down on the couch next to Josh, and he curled into my side. As much as I loved having our friends over, I hoped they wouldn’t stay too late since some of us had to work the next day. Josh had his big interview for the wedding series with Channel Eleven, and I figured he wanted a good night of rest. Meredith tagged out pretty early, but Chaz and Kyle seemed unaware of the time or that they were keeping us awake. Me anyway; Josh had fallen asleep against my shoulder.
As happy as I was for them, I was ready for them to go home. Other than throwing Kyle and Chaz out, I wasn’t quite sure what to do. I must’ve conked out too because the next thing I knew, Chaz was nudging my shoulder and waking me up.
“I’m sorry that we stayed so long,” he said sheepishly. “I lost track of time.”
“It happens,” I told him. “Don’t worry about it.” I slid out from beneath Josh and laid him on the couch so I could lock up downstairs.
When I returned upstairs, he was in our room getting undressed. “Never doubt my matchmaking skills again,” he said sleepily. “I know what I’m doing.” He slid beneath the sheets and patted the mattress for me to climb in too.
I tossed my clothes in the hamper and slid in next to him. “Sunshine, we need to talk about this thing with Silver.”
“No sweet talking your way out of your punishment,” he said. He nestled closer to me, and I knew he wasn’t angry.
“I’ll take your punishment, but I want you to know why I didn’t say anything about him or Paul’s advances…”
“Paul too?” he asked, lifting his head off my chest.
“Listen, Sunshine. I didn’t tell you because it didn’t mean anything to me.” I repeated my thoughts earlier to him about the swinging dicks; he wasn’t amused.
“I guess it’s okay as long as you’re not swinging yours around too.” I couldn’t see his eyes in the darkness, but I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was rolling them. “That’s why I’m going to put a ring on it.”
That had my drooping eyes opening wide. Was Josh still talking about a cock ring or something more?
IDON’T KNOW WHYI was so nervous about the interview for something I wasn’t sure I even wanted, but since when did I always make sense? I was a complicated person on my best day and an annoying shit on my worst. I wasn’t sure what the hell to wear for my interview. Did I want to look like hip Jazz with a graphic tee and dark jeans that made my legs look a mile long, something a bit campier perhaps, or something classy like dress pants and shirt complete with suspenders and bowtie? I chewed on the corner of my thumbnail while I looked at the three different outfits I had laid across our bed.
“Don’t look at me,” Gabe said when I asked his opinion. “You know I’m no good at these things.”
A frustrated growl escaped my throat. “I want to look professional, but cool at the same time. Are the tie and suspenders dorky?”
“Sunshine, you wouldn’t look dorky in any outfit. You’re one of those guys who can pull anything off.” Gabe came over to the bed and stared down at my outfits. “Today is about making a good impression, right? You want to come across as a successful business owner who knows his shit, yes?” I nodded. “I’d go with this sexy bowtie and suspenders number for today. You can always wear something more casual when you’re styling hair for a segment. You’d want to be comfortable and not feel hindered by clothes in that situation.”
“That’s a fabulous idea, Gabe,” I said excitedly. He preened under my praise until I added, “I can strip down to my undies. Think of how easily I can move around then.”
“No one sees that but me,” he said possessively. “I wish I had time for a private showing right now.” He pulled me to him for a long goodbye kiss. “Keep that outfit on so I can strip it off you when I get home. It’ll be like unwrapping a birthday or Christmas gift months early.”
I loved that he thought I was his personal gift. I’d leave the outfit on for him, but he wouldn’t have free hands to take it off me. The suspenders he admired so much were going to pull double duty that day. “I look forward to it,” I said honestly and without a hint of what I was planning.
I took my time grooming and getting dressed before I headed south to Cincinnati. I knew traffic wouldn’t be too heavy during the late morning commute until I got closer to the city. I cranked up the music and sang along, not giving a shit at what the drivers in the other lanes on the interstate thought about it. I decided the day was about having fun because I already lived the life I wanted. If this worked out, great, but it wouldn’t change my quality of life if it didn’t.
I paid to park in a garage a block away from the large building that housed the news station. The spring weather was perfect, and the bright sunlight put some extra pep in my step. A knuckle-dragging Neanderthal made a remark as he passed me by but I didn’t let his ignorance bring me down. I wasn’t going to change his mind about gays nor would his opinions turn me straight. It was best to keep moving.
I was given a visitor’s pass at the reception desk and instructed on where to go. At least her directions led me up an elevator to meet with Cindy instead of down to the pits of hell I had just heard from the stranger on the street. My excitement increased with every floor the elevator traveled because, if nothing else, I at least got to tour the newsroom and see what it looked like behind the scenes.
