“I work downtown at the capitol. Nothing too important, I’m afraid,” Spencer said before taking a bite.
“Do you? That must be interesting. I’ve been there as a kid, but I keep thinking I need to go back and take a tour.” It was true. Iloved exploring the older buildings in the city. There was a lot to see in Old Town but even more to see outside of it.
“I can give you a tour. Just give me some time to set it up. Where do you work?” His eyes met mine and he didn’t look away. He seemed so interested in everything as we spoke, and I liked that there was so much give and take to our conversation.
“I have my own restaurant I opened about a year ago. It’s a small place just past Fifteenth Street.” His eyes widened and I could tell he was trying to figure out which one. There were a few restaurants in that area that had gone out of business over the years. But most of them were back in business with new owners.
“Rust?”
“Yes, how did you know?” I wiped my mouth and tried not to stare at him.
He shrugged like it was no big deal that he knew exactly which restaurant it was out of all the restaurants in the area. “I’m in charge of charting new businesses and helping to fill empty spaces to keep the downtown vital,” he explained.
“That’s amazing,” I said still shocked that he would know.
“I’ve eaten there a few times. It’s actually one of my favorite places to go during the week. It’s too busy for me on the weekend. I don’t remember seeing you there though.”
“I’m the owner and the chef so I’m usually in the back. Weekends I have another chef who helps me out. There’s no way I could do it every day. Plus, I need time for shopping and putting together the week’s menu.”
“You sound very busy,” Spencer said with a grin.
“Just a little. But my sister works with me. She’s the manager and she makes it all look easy,” I said and thought back to her buying me the ticket for tonight and practically forcing me to go.
“The one that made you go tonight?” he asked, and I was surprised he remembered.
“The one and only. She’s a little bossy, and like I said she’s my roommate, but we’re rarely ever home at the same time.” He laughed at that.
“I can relate,” he mumbled.
“Do you have any siblings?”
“I do. Two brothers. They’re both younger than me so I get to be the bossy one, when they allow it,” he said and chuckled.
“Oh my god the youngest is always the worst,” I said making both of us laugh. “I’m in the middle. I have two older brothers. But now we’re adults, they’re both busy doing their own thing. We all get along, but my sister is the baby, and she bosses all of us around.”
“How old is she?” he asked.
“Thirty-two, but she’s still a baby to me.” I loved my sister, and we got along very well, but there were moments.
“My brothers are still in their twenties. The oldest is turning thirty this year. Which reminds me I need to make sure he remembers that.”
“Ah, the moments of our lives,” I said, and our eyes met. His were bright with humor, and I couldn’t seem to look away. I loved our conversation, but I hoped maybe there could be more between us than words, and if the way he was staring at me now was any indication, he might just agree.
Five
Spencer
We finished eating butneither of us made a move to leave the table, and after a server took our plates, we both moved closer. “Jake, I’m really glad I met you tonight,” I said and reached across the table for his hand.
“Did you know this hotel has a rooftop lounge?” Jake asked.
“I did know that, but I haven’t been. Have you?” I tried to control my smile, but it wasn’t easy around him.
“I hear it has a great view. Would you care to join me?” he asked, and I knew by his expression and tone he wasn’t just asking me to check out the view. He was giving me the opportunity to change my mind.
“I’d love to,” I said, and when we stood, he looped his pinkie with mine. Life is strange. When I was younger, I wanted so badly to have someone who would walk down the street holding my hand without an ounce of hesitation, now I wanted someone who was willing to commit to me without the need to sleep around with every other gay man. When he looped his finger with mine that same excitement rushed through me the way it had when I’d first held hands with a boy.
The crowd had grown, and we stopped and chatted to a few people before finally making it to the elevator and he never let go of me once. We stood at the door, and I was surprised we were the only ones, and even more shocked when the doors slid open and it was empty. Jake led us in and as soon as the doors slid closed his eyes met mine in the mirrored wall before he stepped in front of me and pressed me against the wall. “I’ve wanted to taste those lips all night,” he whispered before slowly leaning in to kiss me.
