Carmine held his gaze. “Let’s.”
In no time, Carmine discovered that he was a bowling demon. Once he’d had a couple of warmup runs, he got strikes on the regular. To his credit, Noah took it well.
“Are you a hustler or something?” he asked as Carmine sauntered toward him after clearing the lane once more.
“Hardly. I didn’t know where you were bringing me. Maybe one day you’ll find the right ball.”
Noah gently shoved him. “Don’t make me force you to save a penalty from me.”
Carmine shrugged. “I’d give it a go.”
He was flying high. A little gentle ribbing couldn’t hurt. He took a swig from his beer. It was his third. Noah stayed on sparkling water.
“I’d better not have another,” Carmine said. “I’m at a disadvantage.”
Noah perched on a chair. The way he straddled it was doing strange things to Carmine’s groin.
“Have no fear. I’m a very honourable person.”
“That’s a disappointment,” Carmine replied. “Maybe we should work on that.”
He moved closer but Noah stood up.
“Not in public,” he whispered. “Unless you want to end up all over social media.”
Carmine glanced around. Families seemed engrossed in their own games. However, it would be naïve to think no one had recognised Noah.
“Shit, I never even thought about it.”
Then he panicked. What if photos emerged? Could he explain it away that it was client entertainment?
“Not that we have anything to hide,” Noah said, seemingly reading Carmine’s thoughts. “It’s only date one. I don’t think we should have to define ourselves yet.”
“My parents don’t know about me,” Carmine blurted out.
Horror swept over Noah’s face. “I had no idea. I would never have brought you somewhere so public if I’d known.”
He was genuinely worried. Carmine’s heart melted a little bit more.
“Don’t worry,” Carmine replied. “I’ll come up with an excuse if anyone has got a photo.”
“How come you’ve never come out?”
“I was in L.A. What was the point? Now I’m home, I’m wondering if it’s time. My father will be so disappointed.”
Noah frowned. “He’s always seemed quite cool.”
“With footballers maybe. Sons are a different matter. I disappointed him enough when I refused to work in the restaurant. Imagine if I told him there won’t be any grandchildren from my end.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I’m three years off my fortieth birthday. I’m pretty sure.”
The moment hung there for a second. This guy wasn’t anywhere near thirty yet.
What the fuck am I doing?
“I’m not going to be a father either,” Noah said.
