It had nothing to do with the man I’d been with—he’d tried everything, but I’d kept comparing him to my first, which wasn’t fair. My mystery man had taken me apart and put me back together, and without him I remained unfinished, like a puzzle with a missing piece. Regret had taken up residence in my soul once he’d disappeared.
Fallon studied me, and if I didn’t know better, I’d have sworn there was contempt in those narrowed blue eyes. I was an acquired taste for sure, but damn, this guy wasn’t even giving me a chance.
I put on my most winning grin. “C’mon, Fallon. Why not try it out for a month? I need someone, and I definitely have more work than Dev can give you. For starters, I’ve got lots to do with moving here that I’ll need help with.”
Fallon, for all his outrageous good looks, had a backbone of steel and wasn’t a pushover. “I’m not sure.”
“One month. Then you can see if you love me or hate me,” I joked, but Fallon didn’t smile.
What is this guy’s problem?
Perhaps sensing the bizarre tension, Dev said, “Why don’t we order dinner, and then Trick can tell us about himself and whathe expects.” He frowned at Fallon, who didn’t meet his eyes but lifted a shoulder.
“Sure.”
I had no idea why it was so important that I prove myself to this person. He should’ve been regaling me with his work and what he could do for me—I shouldn’t have been begging him. Throughout dinner, he remained mostly silent, eating his steak and drinking his beer, speaking only if asked a direct question.
We were having our coffee when he finally turned to me. “I have to ask you something.”
Catching Dev’s eye, he shrugged, and I folded my hands on the tabletop. “Sure. Ask away.”
“How do you feel about an openly gay man working for you? Would that be a problem?”
It felt like he was challenging me. That the question was a test I needed to pass.
The only problem would be keeping boundaries, but I’d manage, like I had all my life. And I admired the hell out of Fallon for laying it on the line.
“Listen. I respect everyone. And frankly, I don’t give a damn whether some prejudiced asshole has an issue with whom I hire.” I paused and tipped my head toward Dev and Brody. “Or whom I’m friends with. Is that enough for you?”
I couldn’t tell if my impassioned statement had made an impact. Fallon’s brow remained furrowed, his eyes clouded with indecision and mistrust.
Dev nudged his shoulder. “C’mon, Fallon. Give it a try. And none of this one-month BS, ’cause you know that won’t be enough time. The rest of the season would be better. It’s end of September now. Give it until after the postseason, and then make a decision. Brody and I are gonna take off after the SuperBowl for three months, so there really won’t be anything for you to do.”
Fallon glanced at me again, his white teeth chewing his full bottom lip. It was silly to be so concerned about why some random guy was hesitating about working for me, but surliness aside, he intrigued me. I wanted him.
“I guess…all right. Until January, when the season ends.”
I couldn’t help grinning. “The season ends in February with the Super Bowl, and I intend for the Kings to be there.”
“That’s what I’m talking about,” Dev crowed. “Let’s get a bottle of champagne to celebrate.” He raised a hand to our server, and I took the opportunity to lean closer to Fallon.
“Let me give you my personal cell. I’ll text you my address—right now I’m staying at The Baccarat Hotel, but I need to find a place. I’d like you to help with things like getting a PO Box, setting up appointments with real estate agents to look at apartments, stuff like that.”
Fallon gave me a sharp nod, pulled out his phone, and we exchanged information. The champagne was brought and popped, and I held up the flute.
“Here’s to new beginnings and new friendships.” I held Fallon’s gaze. “Fallon, I’ll catch up with you tomorrow. And now I’d better get back to the hotel. I left Mimi alone all day, and she was not happy about it.” I didn’t relish returning to the suite and hearing her complain, but I planned to take her to all the sights of the city in the morning, which I was sure would include a shopping spree.
“Go home and make your lady feel better.” Dev took out his wallet. “We’ve got this. Talk to you soon.”
“Thanks, guys. See ya. Tomorrow, Fallon? We’ll talk.”
“Yeah, sure. Just give me a call or text to let me know when.”
Outside the restaurant, a couple of people asked for photos, and I obliged before my car arrived. It was close to eleven, and I didn’t want to call Mimi because she liked to go to bed early when we didn’t have plans. I’d told her not to wait up as I’d be late.
I exited the elevator and saw two people, a man and a woman, walking out of my suite. They were giggling, flushed and disheveled, and it didn’t take a scholar to figure out what had been going on while I was gone. I waited for them to get into the elevator, then knocked on the door.
I heard quick footsteps. The door opened. “Did you come back for a quickie…oh, shit.” Mimi stood naked under a tiny, see-through silk robe, her hair tangled and face roughened from beard burn, red marks on her neck.
