Cole didn't directly respond to Gabe’s suggestion that Dane was stealing his attention. However, he did seem curious about whether anything was going on betweenGabeand Dane—and even looked relieved there wasn’t.
Gabe liked that.
“So, why did you come to New York?” Gabe asked. “Do you know anyone here? Any family in the city?”
Cole visibly recoiled slightly, which stumped Gabe. Had he said something wrong?
“No,” Cole mumbled. “No family… no one. I, uh… I wasn’t headed anywhere, really. I just ended up here.”
“Lucky me.” Gabe winked at him. “It would’ve been a crying shame if I’d never met you.”
Cole laughed short and twisted his drink glass in slow circles on the bar. “Why is that?”
“Because.” Gabe grinned, bumping his arm. “You’re cool, cute,sexy,fun,interesting. Despite being surrounded by hot guys every night, I don’t often meet someone with so many qualities.”
Cole didn’t seem to believe he was all those things, but it appeared to please him that Gabe thought he was. Still, he asked, “How do you know I’m all that?” He looked at Gabe and smiled. “I might be a real bore when you get to know me.”
“I’m willing to risk it.”
Cole rubbed his neck and laughed softly. “A risk-taker, huh?”
“You know it.” Gabe lifted his glass toward his lips, a smile forming. His blue eyes sparkled as he squinted slightly. “Some things in life are worth the risk.”
“Hm.”
“Hm, what?”
Cole chuckled. “Nothing.”
“You disagree?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“So, you’re a risk-taker, too?”
Cole smiled. “I didn’t say that, either.”
“What are you saying?”
Cole sipped his drink, then licked his lips, holding back a smile. “Nothing.”
Gabe grunted and nudged him. “Are you naturally frustrating, or do you work at it?”
Lips pursed, Cole shrugged. “A little of both.”
“Don’t be bustin’ my chops, baby.” Gabe grinned and finished his drink, not bothered at all that the man was teasing him. Gabe saw it as friendly foreplay, or at the very least, playfulflirting.
This was the second time since meeting Gabe that he had called Cole ‘baby.’ Cole knew it was likely a common term Gabe used with everyone, but it felt good when he said it to him. No one had ever called him “baby”—except maybe his mom before she died—but never anotherman. To be fair, he hadn’t let anyone get close enough to give him a pet name. Gabe wasn’t waiting for them to become closer; he just threw it out there on his own. And Cole liked it.
Then Gabe said something Coledidn’tlike. “You said you don’t have family here in the city; do you have family anywhere?”
“No,” was all Cole offered. Some things heneverwanted to talk about—he just wanted toforget.He had spent the last seven years becoming someone new; he would never revisit who he once was… or thenightmarethat spawned him. It was bad enough that it haunted his dreams; he wouldn’t let it back out into the light of day.
He cast a sideways glance at Gabe, who seemed satisfied with his answer and didn't push for more. There was something different about Gabe compared to the other men Cole had met over the years. Maybe they could be friends,for real. Cole had only ever had onetruefriend, and he was long gone—swallowed by the nightmare. Cole hadn’t expected to ever feel thatstronga bond of friendship with anyone again.
But he was beginning to feel it with Gabe.
CHAPTER 6
