Normally, he wore loose-fitting carpenter’s jeans and plaid shirts over plain white cotton tees. Now, he was dressed in dark, fitted jeans, a black t-shirt, and a deep burgundy button-down that had been ironed to within an inch of its life.
He’d even slicked back his normally untidy hair to something resembling an actual style.
Charlie eventually remembered to close his mouth as Scott approached the table. Amber let go of him to give him space to scoot over in the booth they’d managed to snag when they came in, leaving a spot for Scott to sit beside him.
“I got offered some work I couldn’t afford to refuse,” Scott said. “And then I desperately needed a shower before I got within two feet of anyone else, so… sorry I’m late.”
“You’re not that late,” Charlie said, all of his disappointment dissolving without a trace.
Amber elbowed him in the ribs, but thankfully, Scott hadn’t been looking.
“So, uh, everyone, this is Scott. Scott, this is everyone. That’s Owen and Jude, my brother and brother-in-law, that’s Lanie, and this is Amber. Marcus is the big guy over at the bar trying to pick up the bartender. Sometimes there are more of us, sometimes less.”
“Nice to meet you,” Owen said, holding his hand out to Scott across the table.
Charlie knew by the look in his eyes that he was sizing Scott up, deciding whether or not he was good enough for his little brother.
“Nice to meet you, too.” Scott grinned at him. “Can I interest you in a dog?”
Jude’s face lit up as soon as Scott said it. Owen raised an eyebrow.
“Scott fosters dogs.”
“Oh.” Owen nodded, understanding visibly dawning over him.
“We should get a dog,” Jude said softly. “Kayla would love a dog.”
“You meanyou’dlove a dog.” Owen smiled wryly.
Charlie knew better than to interfere while Jude and Owen were discussing something like this. They’d come out the other side of it kissing, as disgustingly in love as they always were.
“How long have they been married?” Scott asked softly, since Owen and Jude’s attention had fallen away from him.
“A little over a year,” Charlie said. “But they’ve been friends all their lives. The wedding was kind of a formality. I grew up with Jude practically as much as I did with Owen.”
“That’s kinda sweet,” Scott said. “I owe you a drink, huh?”
“I wouldn’t refuse one if you’re offering,” Charlie responded, excitement tugging at his belly button.
He was smart enough to know this wasn’t a date, the same way as last night wasn’t a date, but…
Well, there was no reason he couldn’t treat it like a date. Or a pre-date, maybe.
“Beer?” Scott asked, standing up from the table and stretching his arms high above his head. The movement exposed a thin strip of his stomach, pale skin in stark contrast with his dark clothes.
Charlie licked his lips unconsciously. Scott was hot. There was no way of getting around it.
He liked him for his personality and everything, but he also wanted to climb him like a tree.
“Beer would be awesome.” Charlie grinned up at him.
Scott flashed him a pretty, shy smile and turned toward the bar.
Once Scott was out of earshot, Jude let out a low whistle.
“Dude, I’m right here,” Owen said. “No drooling over Charlie’s boyfriend.”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Charlie said quickly, not wanting anyone to get the wrong idea.
