“Do you know who is? Or are you merely looking for a replacement for Kevin?” Rocked to his core, Win gazed mutely at Forrest. “You know I love you like a brother, but I can’t stand seeing you eating yourself alive until you’ve become a shell of who you used to be.” Win searched Forrest’s eyes, and found only love, trust, and concern.
“I mean, I’ve tried to date since Kevin…you know that. It just doesn’t work out. Maybe it’s me. I guess I’m not ready to commit.”
“Then don’t.”
“Huh? You heard what I said. Elliot—that’s his name—only does relationships.”
“And I also heard you say he’s trying to change. Or he needs to. So why not help him out? You can teach him how to date and have fun without him thinking it’s anything but casual between the two of you, and you can have a friends-with-benefits fling to get you into the dating scene again, which is what I think you want.”
“I don’t know. Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.”
“Why? You’ve already said you’re not ready to get serious again, but a no-strings-attached thing might be good for you to get your feet wet.”
Both their phones went off, and he saw from the message that their informant wanted to talk. “Let’s hustle. That’s Lenny from the building on Forty-eighth Street.”
“I know, I’m ready.” Forrest shut down his computer and unhooked his jacket off the end of his cubicle. “But you should think about it.”
“All I’m thinking about right now is those scumbags peddling drugs to kids and getting them off the streets.”
The keys to the nondescript, battered sedan hung on the wall, and he swiped them up while Forrest signed for it. But as he drove away, he couldn’t help remembering the list he’d spied at Elliot’s, and he wondered what his next-door neighbor had planned for the weekend.
***
At eight thirty he pulled into his driveway, tired but elated that they’d gotten significant evidence, and it was looking good that they’d be able to put away at least some of the bastards selling drugs and using kids as mules to do their dirty work. This might be wrapped up in a week instead of months like their last assignment, and the mayor would be happy that his special task force targeting drug-dealing in close proximity to school districts resulted in major arrests. Sometimes all the ducks lined up and everything fell into place.
It also meant he could finally shave and wash the dye out of his hair. In preparation for this job, he’d gone back to not shaving for the week and now sported a heavy scruff. And after some debating, he’d also put a few blond streaks in his hair and replaced the old temporary tattoos with new ones on his biceps, forearms, and wrists. Forrest’s goatee had grown in wiry, and he laughed that Claudia hated it, saying it was like kissing a scrub brush.
He stepped out of the Jeep, pressed the alarm, and saw Elliot standing on the porch, waving at him. Mindful of Forrest’s earlier words, plus the list on Elliot’s nightstand, he had a serious talk with himself as he crossed his lawn to meet Elliot at the bottom of the stairs.
What would be the harm? If he and Elliot did get together, he’d make sure to lay out ground rules first. Forrest was right: Elliot could learn that people can hook up without a relationship, while Win would ease into dating again. He liked Elliot, and if their kiss was any indication, sex between them would be good.
Verygood.
A win-win for both of them.
“Hi, you’re just getting home? I’m waiting for my dinner.” Wearing only socks, gray sweat pants, and a black hoodie, Elliot looked pretty tasty to him.
“Yeah. Long day, but comes with the job.” He paused, so out of the dating scene, he wasn’t sure if he sounded interested or awkward as hell. “What’s for dinner?”
“Oh. I couldn’t decide between Chinese or Italian.”
“So you ordered both? That’s what I’d do.”
Wondering eyes met his. “I thought only I did that. I figured I’d eat whichever came first and save the other for a—”
“Midnight snack?” Win said at the same time Elliot did, and watched the blush steal up his neck. “Or, you could offer some to a starving detective who came home after his tour and is too lazy to wait for his own food.”
A car stopped curbside, and a woman holding a shopping bag walked up to them.
“Elliot?” She looked between them.
“Hi, yeah. Thanks.” Elliot took the bag from her.
She left them standing with Elliot still staring at him. Win grew nervous that Elliot was thinking of a way to say no and was too polite to do so.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m only kidding. Have a great night.” He started walking away.
“No, wait, Win. Stop.”
