“Great job. It looks professional, like they came from a florist.”
“That’s done. I’d better go soon, so they can get in water. Marianne, Trevor’s wife, is really nice.”
As they spoke, Armi collected his wallet, keys, and phone. “Can I drop you off anywhere?”
“Yeah, thanks. I need to get home.”
“Tell me your address again?” Armi tapped it on his phone screen. “Car will be here in three minutes.”
Backpack in hand, Hayden trailed behind Armi, admiring the snug fit of his jeans and the broad set of his shoulders. They entered the dark car, and with Saturday night traffic, it tookalmost ten minutes to travel three avenue blocks and the streets uptown.
“This is me,” Hayden said as the car slid to the curb. “Thanks, Armi. I’ll see you on Monday.”
“Yeah. Sure. Have a great weekend.” Armi met his gaze, and Hayden’s heart twisted, the tightness in his chest unfamiliar.
He closed the door to the sedan and watched the taillights blend in with the other traffic.
Up in his apartment, he sprawled on his sofa. It had been hell sitting next to Armi in the car, smelling his cologne, watching his lips move as he spoke, wanting to kiss him and yet being powerless to do anything about it.
“Dammit.” His hand balled into a fist. “How could this have happened?”
It wasn’t even seven o’clock on a Saturday night. Summer in the city. He should shower, get dressed, and go out. Find someone to ease the nervous tension bubbling through him. He could almost taste the bitter orange of an Aperol Spritz.
Maybe someone out there could help him remember, because once upon a time, he’d been happy.
Chapter Fourteen
“So the new PA is working out? I did well?” Trevor handed Armi a beer and then a glass of white wine to Marianne.
“Thanks. Yeah, he’s good.”
So damn good.
Armi always enjoyed spending time with Trevor and Marianne. Trevor was the brother he’d never had, and Marianne understood his awkwardness, never pushed, and treated him with nothing but kindness. Her natural warmth had allowed him the time to accept and trust her, and she’d become as close a friend as Trevor.
“I know he came with great references and is a whiz at organization, so the fact that you were here on time means it’s working out.”
Armi made a face. “Ha-ha, very funny.”
“Well, I, for one, am glad you’re here,” Marianne said. “Those roses are absolutely stunning. I’ve never seen anything like them.”
Puffed up by her praise, Armi smiled. “And you won’t. They’re from my latest grafting experiment. If I can replicate it a few more times, I’ll give a bush to the Botanical Gardens.”
“They’ll be thrilled to have it.”
With athump, Trevor set his beer on the table. “All right, now that we have the niceties out of the way, what the hell was that article? Why’d that guy shit on you?”
All his good feelings drained away. “I don’t know,” he mumbled. “Do we have to talk about it?”
“Sorry, but are you going to respond? That was some BS he said. You’ve been doing a great job.”
He hunched over his bottle. “Yeah, well, so you say. You’re my friend.”
“Which means what? That I’m going to lie? That’s ridiculous. I have ears, you know. I hear things. And I like what I’m hearing. I agree that going after lesser-known names can work in the team’s favor.”
Armi’s head jerked up. “How…never mind. Nothing is secret anymore, I swear. Yeah, I think it’s a great idea, but others in the organization don’t. They want to sign superstars.” He sighed. “I’m trying to work with them, but no one’s willing to listen to me. They’re more likely to agree if it comes from Russell.”
“And what does Russell do?” Marianne asked.
