“I’m glad you didn’t have plans tonight.” Brent swirled the wine the sommelier poured into his glass. “This is very nice. A good bouquet.”
Armi fidgeted with his hands in his lap and forced a smile. “I’m not much of a wine connoisseur. I drink mostly beer.”
Brent wrinkled his nose. “I haven’t had a beer since college. You’ll learn to love it.”
Presumptuous much?Shouldn’t he respect Armi’s likes and wishes? Armi doubted he’d ever enjoy wine, but he didn’t want to start off the evening disagreeing, so he nodded. “Sure.”
The server stopped by their table and recited the specials. “Do you know what you’d like?”
Armi opened his mouth, but Brent cut him off. “We’ll do the Caesar salad to share and the porterhouse for two with mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus.” Finally, Brent looked at him. “Sounds good, right? It’s their specialty.”
Armi didn’t particularly like Caesar salad, and he rarely enjoyed eating large meals at night that would sit heavy in his stomach. Should he say something?
“I, uh, was thinking of the salmon.”
Brent’s brows rose high, and a spark of annoyance flashed in his eyes. “Fish? At a steakhouse? I mean, sure, if that’s what you want…”
“No, it’s fine. You’re right. Steak it is.”
The taut lines on Brent’s face smoothed out. “Great. I’m sure you’ll love it.”
He ate little of the salad and a few slices of the steak while listening to Brent go on and on about the big real estate deal he’d closed and how he was going to look for a house in the Hamptons. What happened to the charming man he’d had lunch with?
They were having coffee and tiramisu when Brent said, “Maybe you’d like to join me there for the summer? We’d have a great time trying all the wineries and restaurants.”
“The whole summer? I don’t know…it’s kind of fast, don’t you think?”
Brent slid a hand over his. “I really like you, Armi. You’re sweet and kind and gorgeous. I’m hoping to get to know you better.” The server appeared with the bill, and Brent took it. “My treat. You can get it next time.”
Armi sighed with relief. That was the charming Brent from lunch. Maybe he was just trying to impress him. Armi was willing to give him another chance.
“I’d like to know you better too.”
Brent’s eyes lit up. “How about a drink at my place?”
Armi’s heart fluttered. “Sure, but I have morning meetings, so it’ll have to be an early night.”
“That won’t be a problem. Let’s go.”
Brent’s apartment was done in neutral tones of beige, brown, and black. The kitchen was open to the living room, and Armi sat on the sectional couch while Brent poured him another glass of red wine and joined him. They clinked glasses.
“To us.”
Armi should be thrilled. He had a gorgeous man interested in him, and he was head of a company. His roses were doing well.
So why was he so unsettled?
Maybe because he’d expected the wild passion he’d experienced with Hayden from a simple kiss. Brent’s kisses were…nice. It probably would take some time.
“How was the rest of your day? Did your call go well?” Brent set his glass on the coffee table, and Armi did the same, happy not to have to force himself to drink it.
“Yeah. The conference call was good, and now that we’ve signed Hopkins and we’re about to sign Masterson, it’ll really help the team and get us that much closer to the Super Bowl.”
Brent’s eyes widened. “Whoa. Seriously? The Kings are gonna get Masterson? That’s crazy. I didn’t know he was leaving the Kickers.”
Oh, shit.He wasn’t supposed to have said a word until the deal was done.Dammit.
“No one does. And it’s not a done deal, so please don’t repeat it. Tomorrow is the day, so fingers crossed.”
