Wolf recalled what Spencer had shared with him about his lonely past—and, Wolf knew for certain, with no one else.
He wished…no.
Spencer had taken their conversation to heart and had returned to his one-and-dones.
Wolf decided something had to change. Maybehehad to change.
***
“Tell me more about yourself, Wolf. These apps never give enough information.”
Two weeks later, on a Saturday night, Wolf was at the Polo Bar, sitting across a small table from his date, Gary Hamill. After dinner with the guys, he’d gone home and cringed his way through creating dating profiles on several apps, immediately regretting it. But when scrolling through social media showed a laughing Spencer at a different party every night, Wolf got tough with himself and decided the time had come: anything to move the needle of his stuck-in-neutral life. And as distasteful as it had all turned out with Anthony, it did show him that he could, at the very least, sit at dinner with someone and have a drink and conversation. He’d rarely failed at anything in his life, and he was determined to break free of the hold Spencer had on him.
Unfortunately, he’d sat through five less-than-stellar dates with men who either couldn’t stop talking about their vacations abroad, their cars and beach homes, or how much their investments had tripled, thanks to tips they’d be happy to share once they’d gotten to know each other better. Wink, wink.
Wolf couldn’t wait to get home and shower.
Gary seemed different. He was funny and charming, successful without being boastful, and pleasant to talk to.
Trying to discreetly wipe his sweaty hands on his knees, Wolf licked his dry lips. “Uh, well, there isn’t that much more. I work too hard, and my only outlet is the gym, since I’m usually working too late to go to the theater or even dinner.”
Gary’s eyes gleamed. “I can tell. You’re in excellent shape, for sure. I tend to run in the park when the weather’s nice, but I go to the gym when it’s too cold outside.”
Wolf sipped his drink. “I never have time for the park, so I stick to the treadmill. I do see the cardio benefits.”
God, was he on a date, or having a yearly physical? He’d better stir the conversation to something more interesting. Talk about Gary. That was what he’d heard over the years from listening to Elliot’s dating stories.
“Tell me more about your job. Why child psychology? The thought of having screaming kids locked in an office with me gives me hives.”
Gary laughed, his brown eyes twinkling. “Same here. That’s why I’m a researcher. I don’t see patients. I’m studying brain function to see why children behave a certain way and how external stimuli affect their mental health.”
He could tell Gary a thing or two. What a study he would’ve been—one for the books. Wolf knew for certain his reclusive behavior was a direct result of the shame he felt about his father’s crimes.
“Well, that makes sense. I can only imagine you must come across some fascinating cases. I’m sure what happens to children when they’re young affects their behavior as they grow older.”
He listened to Gary as he explained a recent study he’d conducted, but his mind drifted to the time when his father’s case dominated the headlines.
Because of the notoriety of the case, it had been picked up by the local stations and cable television, and Wolf had to endure the glares and ostracism of his classmates at school for the year following the arrest and during the trial. He’d gone from one of the most popular kids—the one whose house everyone would congregate at to swim and hang out—to being left out of every social activity. No parties, no after-school pizza or video games. None of the kids would sit next to him on the bus rides to and from school, and it had gotten so bad, he’d had to ask his mother if she could drive him and pick him up.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Victor. I can’t go out. Everyone will look at me. I’ll get you a driver.”
His mother had refused to go to court when she received the call that a decision had been reached, but she’d sat riveted to the television set. When the guilty verdict was announced, he found her passed out on the sofa with an empty bottle of vodka next to her, the television blaring out the news over and over. He’d turned off the set, gone to his room, and shut the door.
“Wolf?”
He blinked to awareness, finding Gary watching him over the flickering candles.
“I’m sorry. I-I have a new case that’s disturbing, and my mind wandered a moment. I apologize.”
“I understand. Busy people like us find it hard to separate the work from the personal, which is why we end up on dating apps, making awkward conversations about our résumé. Forget the job and pedigree questions. Let’s get to the important stuff. What’s your favorite ice-cream flavor?”
“Vanilla.”
Gary’s brows rose. “Not what I expected. I’m a mint-chocolate-chip guy. Maybe I can persuade you to try something out of your comfort zone?”
Wolf smiled faintly. He should feel something by this point. Gary was funny, gorgeous, and a good conversationalist. He ticked every box on the who-would-make-a-perfect-date card.
Why couldn’t he feel anything?
