I blinked myself back to awareness to find Frankie standing in front of me, hand outstretched. “Oh, sorry.” I took his hand, and he squeezed it. Hard. I held his gaze.
“See you next week?”
“Yeah.”
Austin gave me a nod and held out his hand as well. “Sometimes you have to find the right people to make your family.”
I was still thinking on his words a few hours later when Cort and I sat behind the desk and took a coffee break. It was four in the afternoon, and he was explaining to me about the after-school onslaught of children, parents, and babysitters who came and took over the little spot in the corner dedicated to children’s books.
“Does Austin not get along with his family because he’s gay?”
Before answering, Cort took a sip of coffee and cradled the cup in his hands. “I can’t tell you his story, but he’s had a rough time of it, yeah. And your lives ain’t so different. I’m sure he’ll tell you one day.”
I couldn’t imagine what I would have in common with a former stripper boy, but Cort knew both of us as well as anyone, so I trusted him. Right now Austin’s life history was the last thing on my mind. I couldn’t keep my eyes off Cort’s thumbs rubbing the rim of his cup. I wanted to be that cup and have Cort’s rough hands all over my body. A flood of warmth rushed through me, and I shifted in my seat. Damn, I was becoming a slut for it. For him.
“You better stop staring at me with them fuck-me eyes, or customers be damned, I’m gonna drag you to the back any second.”
Cort’s growly whisper brought a smile to my face even as I grew harder under his probing stare. “Hold that thought until later, then.”
“I reckon I might.”
Amusement danced in his bright eyes, and I wondered what it would be like to kiss him in public. I leaned in toward him.
“Cort?”
A man’s voice interrupted us, and I sat up, brushing the hair out of my eyes.
“Bobby?”
The pleasurable feeling drained from me, replaced by consternation. Bobby. The piece of shit who’d used Cort and tossed him aside when the going got tough.
“Yeah. I said I’d find you, and here I am.”
Cort can’t take his eyes off the guy, I thought bitterly as I watched him get up and circle around me to come from behind the desk.
“Bobby. I can’t believe it’s you.”
My temper rose to the breaking point when Bobby grabbed Cort and hugged him. Hard.
“Cort. While you continue this touching reunion, could you please move out of the way so I can take care of the customers?” I held out my hand to the woman attempting to navigate a baby carriage around Cort and Bobby with one hand, while holding two books with the other. “Here. Let me help you.” I reached over and plucked the books out of her hand. “Is that all?”
“No. The baby has a toy in his lap, but I’m afraid he’ll scream bloody murder if I take it from him to give to you.” Her apologetic smile made me laugh.
“Sounds like a typical man when you take away his toys. Can you read me the numbers on the tag? I’ll key it in.”
From the corner of my eye, I watched Bobby talk to Cort. They’d moved out of hearing distance, but I could see Cort’s stiff back and the urgency with which Bobby spoke to him. Pleading his case. Oh, the fucker was good-looking, I’d give him credit for that. His dark hair, big brown eyes, and movie-star bright smile must get him anything he wanted. He rubbed his dark-stubbled chin, and I saw the flash of his wedding band.
“Here you go.” I handed the woman her purchase.
“Thanks.” She took the bag from me and hesitated. “I wouldn’t worry. I’ve been coming here for a while, and I see how Cort looks at you. He’s crazy about you.”
Stunned by both her statement and the fact that she could read me so easily, I only managed a weak smile before she wheeled the carriage away and out of the store. Was I that transparent? I’d prided myself on remaining stoic and unreadable, but perhaps that too had gone out the window when I went to rehab. If I wasn’t able to hide my feelings for Cort, was I willing to accept being out?
“Harlan.”
Drawn out of my thoughts, I saw Cort in front of me. “Sorry. So that’s Bobby? What’s he doing here?”
“His company is meeting with investors based in the city, so he came along.”
