“Yeah, something like that. Showing you my world, so to speak.”
“I can’t wait.” Curtis knew he sounded breathless. He was excited at the chance of getting a second try with Andrew and wary at the same time. It made for an interesting mix of emotions that had his heart racing.
“I’m looking forward to it. Shall I pick you up or do we meet at the museum?”
“If it’s all right with you, we could meet at my gallery. It’s only a few blocks from the museum. Let’s see, the opening starts at four. How about you come here at three? I can show you around a bit, and then we can walk to the museum.”
“That’s fine with me, Curtis. I already have your address, so I’ll just come by.”
Curtis gripped his phone a little tighter. “Perfect. See you on Wednesday.”
“Yes. See you on Wednesday. And, Curtis? Thank you.” Andrew sounded so genuine, Curtis felt a shudder running down his spine. Perhaps there was a chance for them, after all.
“You’re welcome. I’m looking forward to the opening. Bye, Andrew.”
“Bye, Curtis.”
THE LINEwent dead and all Andrew could do was stare at his phone. Curtis had forgiven him. Curtis was willing to give him a second chance. Curtis wanted him at the opening, with all his posh acquaintances. That was a sobering thought. Andrew had no illusions—he would stick out of that crowd like a sore thumb. He only hoped Curtis would be true to his word and not mind. Though the man hadn’t struck him as somebody who said one thing and meant something else entirely.
“Hey, boss, stop staring at your cell like some lovestruck teenager and give me a hand. We need to refill all the macarons and the éclairs before the eleven o’clock rush!” Debbie, Andrew’s part-time help at Sweet Break, pried him from his whirling thoughts that were gearing up for a minor panic attack. He put his cell in his back pocket and looked down at her meager five foot two. Debbie was nearing her midfifties, had a full, plump figure with generous breasts, a mass of thick hair that was currently dyed different shades of blue and framed her head like a halo. Her light brown skin always had a healthy glow that made her look a good ten years younger, and her dark brown eyes drilled into him with an intensity only a mother of six could achieve so effortlessly. Andrew flashed her a quick smile before he followed her into the pantry, where the macarons and éclairs were waiting.
He had a date. A second chance with Curtis. Should he bring some more macarons? Curtis had liked the éclair, so perhaps he should box some of those to bring. Andrew knew he would need all the help he could get, and he wasn’t beneath using underhanded methods to win Curtis’s favor. If it could be done with the liberal distribution of sweets, all the better for him.
“Andrew! What’s wrong with you?” Something poked his belly with just enough force to be painful without causing real damage. He looked down at the griddle full of éclairs Debbie was using like a battering ram.
“I… uhm. I get it.” He made a grab for the griddle, relieved when Debbie let go. Of course he wasn’t off the hook so easily. Having her hands free meant she could fold her arms across her chest, pinning him with a glare that was usually reserved for her teenage sons.
“What’s going on? Last week you were hyped up like my youngest when he’s gotten his hands in the candy jar, and now you’re zoning out when we should be preparing for the next rush.”
Andrew bit his tongue to not point out that at the moment, she was the one keeping them from getting their work done. Even though she’d been working for him for only a short time, he had already learned not to try to distract her when she thought she was onto something. That only prolonged the torture. He licked his lips, trying to find a way out without revealing too much.
“I, uh, have something going on.”
Debbie’s eyes narrowed. She stared at him so long that he started to squirm. Finally, a smile blossomed on her lips. “You’ve met somebody! Finally.”
The griddle almost fell from Andrew’s hands. “What? I mean, how?”
Debbie turned around to get a plateful of orange macarons. “You forget I have six sons, five of which are already at an age where they have dates. I know the signs. Who is he?”
Despite the rainbow sticker on his shop door, Andrew had never told her he was gay. He was out and proud, but he never advertised. Leave it to Debbie to figure it out, though he assumed there were enough clues for her to work with. Plus, the woman was sharp like that. Andrew decided to wave the white flag.
“I’ll tell you everything about him, but can we refill at the same time?”
Debbie just rolled her eyes, took a second plate stacked with chocolate macarons, and brushed past him toward the front of the shop. Andrew only had to lift the griddle slightly to let her pass. While they were filling the empty displays, Andrew tried to explain about Curtis.
“He came into the shop last week and I asked him out. He looks so hot with his salt-and-pepper hair and his big, kind eyes. He dresses up nicely, and his accent is to die for. He’s British, you know?”
Debbie placed the last macarons before she looked up at him. Her gaze was soft now. “I see. You like him a lot, don’t you?”
Andrew thought about this. “We’ve only had one date so far, and that didn’t go too well. But yes, I feel drawn to him, and it’s definitely not just physical. There’s something about him I would love to explore.”
“And he’s willing to give you a second chance?”
Andrew raised a brow. “What makes you think I was the one who fucked up?”
Debbie just snorted.
“Fine, it was me. I just want to point out it could have been him as well.”
