Joesph looked at his watch.“It’s barely five o’clock.Would an hour be enough time for you?”
“Yeah.”Mike took out his keys.“I’ll pick you up in an hour.”
“Perfect.”
* * * * *
“I’m so full,” Salzygroaned as they got into the Uber.
“They did give us the royal treatment for sure,” Jamie moaned.“I hope I don’t have a hangover tomorrow.”
“You didn’t drink that much.”Salzy stretched his feet out as far as they would go.
“I mean a food hangover.”
Salzy laughed.“I don’t know that I’ve ever had a ‘food hangover.’”
“I had one the first time I ate at the Mexican restaurant you took me to.I basically had to roll myself out of bed the next morning.”
Salzy laughed.
* * * * *
Joesph took a sip ofhis martini, his eyes closed.“Thereisa God.”
Mike chuckled before taking a sip of his bourbon and Coke.“I have to admit, a good stiff drink was needed after today.”
“Thank you again for all your help.You taught me heaps today.I’ll feel a lot more confident in dealing with beams next time.”Joesph took in Mike’s appearance.His arms straining the sleeves of his blue polo shirt, which matched his eyes, and made his dark hair more stunning.Even the shoulders of the shirt appeared to just be containing them.
“It was my pleasure.You picked up on things quickly, and you figured out those ratios really fast.”
“I’ve always been pretty good with math.”Joesph looked at the menu.“What’s good here?”
“Everything is tasty.”Mike looked at his menu.“I have to admit, though, I’ve gotten pretty spoiled with Jamie’s cooking.”
Joesph groaned loudly.“Don’t remind me.I’m going to have to drive from Atlanta just to get some of his cooking.”
“You’re going to miss him, huh?”
“Like crazy.”Joesph took a long sip of his very dry, very dirty martini.“He’s my best friend.But...it’s what is right for him.It’s where he belongs.”
“What about you?”Mike asked.“Where do you belong?”
Joesph studied the man across from him.After a long moment, he said, “I guess I’m still trying to figure that out.For the few years, I’ve done nothing but concentrate on my career.”
“No love interests?”Mike looked genuinely interested.
“No.Not really.A few long-term boyfriends, but nothing all that serious.”He shrugged.“It was my fault none of them worked out.I’m a bit of a workaholic.”
Mike nodded.“I can relate.I was the same when I was getting my master’s in engineering.I had no social life.It was either work or school.”
“Yep.”Joesph nodded.“That was my life too.And after I graduated, I did an internship and then worked as hard as I could to make myself the very best at what I do.I can’t say that I’ve achieved that, but I’m pretty damn close.”
They placed their order and fell silent for a while.
“I can retire from the Army in six years.”Mike ran his forefinger around the rim of the glass of his fresh drink.“I have no clue what to do.Take the retirement and strike out on my own, or...”He looked up at Joesph.“At least you have a plan.”
“Ha!I have no plan.I’m flying by the seat of my pants to be honest.”Joesph leaned on the table, looking like he was protecting his cocktail.“Initially, I thought about opening my own studio, but...it’s very competitive and would cost a fortune.So now...I have no real plan.”
