“Oh, you can be a charmer.Speaking of”—Joesph lowered his eyes—“what are you going to do about Jamie?That man needs to get laid in the worst way.”
Mike fell back against the hard wooden chair.“That was quite blunt.”
“So?”Joesph propped his head on his hand, elbow on the table.
“I told him I’d wait until he was ready.I didn’t push.”
Joesph stretched his back, then let his hands fall into his lap.“That was very wise of you.Sometimes...Jamie can be, how do I say...complicatedanddifficult.”
“You know, I think I could fall for him.”Mike had a faraway look in his eyes.
“A word of warning: when Jamie falls for someone, he falls hard.He’s an all-in kinda guy.”
Mike looked at Joesph.“I can handle that.”
Joesph nodded, looking seriously at Mike.He took one of the big man’s hands in his.“I believe you could.Just don’t hurt him.”
“I would never try and hurt him.”Mike squeezed Joesph’s hand that lay in his.“He is very special.I know that.”
There was ahonkfrom the parking lot.“They’re back.Now, not a word of what I showed you.Oh, do you know of anyone who could do that kind of work?”Joesph asked as he stood up.
“Yeah, I think I do.”Mike stood.
Joesph looked at Mike, letting his eyes take in the man.“You keep wearing those shorts and tank top and Jamie will not be able to resist you.”
“Huh?”Mile looked down at himself.“They’re just Army issue stuff.”
“That may be, but you look...well, like the best beef steak in the country.”
“Beef steak?”Mike gave a short laugh.“I can honestly say I’ve never been called a steak.”
“Okay then, beef cake?”Joesph walked out the door of the apartment.“That is what you are, Mike Jones.Beef cake.”
“Seriously?”Mike asked, following Joesph down the stairs.
“I have no idea what you are planning on doing with all these paint samples,” Jamie said, approaching the two men coming down the stairs.“I know you aren’t planning on using them here.”
“Idohave other clients, ya know,” Joesph answered haughtily.
“So now I’m just an errand boy for your business?”Jamie asked, frowning as he handed the paint samples to Joesph.
“And whatelsedo you have to do?At least I got you out of my hair for a while.”
“Hey,” Salzy said, walking up.“How’s it going in there?”he nodded his head towards the diner.
“The last time I looked, they were moving right along.”Mike walked towards the back door of the diner, which was propped open.“They finished up the dining room quickly, and they are almost done with the tile.I doubt they’ll get to the grout until the mastic has had a chance to cure up a bit.”
“How long will that take?”Jamie peered in around Mike.He couldn’t help but notice his smell.“It’s taking forever, it seems.”
“This is the hardest part, honey.Don’t worry.After this is all done, the rest will fly by.You wait and see.”Joesph was pulling Jamie away from the door.
“What’s for dinner?”Salzy asked.“It’s almost quittin’ time.”
“I could grill us something.”Jamie offered.“I’d have to go to the store first.Can’t get to the walk-in with the tile just being laid.What does everyone feel like?”
“I’ll eat just about anything,” Salzy said.“Means we can’t get to the beer either.”
“Joesph?”Jamie asked.
