“Huh.” He puzzled over that discovery for a few moments. “These are not the hands of a builder.”
Devin chuckled. “I’m an architect,” he said.
“Ohh.That makes sense.” Charlie nodded, giving Devin his hands back. “I’m not a psychic.”
“No shit.” Devin smiled at him. “Hey, umm… I’m thinking I was a little slow on the uptake here, but I think you should know: I’m straight. I don’t want you wasting your time or anything.”
Charlie’s heart sank, but he forced his face not to change. It wasn’t actually a waste of time, just a disappointment.
“That’s a shame, but making a new friend is never a waste of time. Are you sure you’re a hundred percent straight? Because I’m always willing to teach,” he joked. Devin seemed like the kind of person who could take a joke.
“I don’t thinkanyone’sa hundred percent straight, but I am waiting for my girlfriend. I am totally fine with talking to you while I do that, though. You seem cool. Can I get you a beer?”
It wasn’t the outcome Charlie had wanted, but it wasn’t so bad. “You’re a sweetheart, your girlfriend is incredibly lucky, and you absolutely can.”
Devin chuckled. “Yeah. You look like you could use it.”
“Is that a joke about me being visibly thirsty?” Charlie raised an eyebrow. “Because that would be fair.”
“I wasn’t gonna come out and say it. I hope you find someone, though,” Devin said.
Charlie smiled wryly and settled on the stool next to him. At least he’d get to make Amber and Lanie think he hadn’t totally struck out this way.
He’d have to tell them when Devin’s girlfriend showed up, but a few moments of not feeling like he was going to die alone sounded good.
Good as his word, Devin bought him a beer, clinking the top of their bottles together before taking a sip. Charlie played with the neck of his bottle, letting himself bask in having made a human connection. It wasn’t exactly the kind he was after, but it would have to be enough for now.
As much as he hated the thought of leaving, Charlie was starting to realize that he needed to get out of Hope Springs if he was ever going to find love. As gay-friendly a place as it was, it was still a small town. The best he could hope for these days were tourists passing through, and they usually travelled as couples.
Not that he was absolutely opposed to being a third for a night, but he wanted more than a night. He wanted love. Companionship. Someone to face the world with, shoulder-to-shoulder.
Maybe neck-to-shoulder. He liked his guys to have at least a few inches on him. He wasn’t a huge man, so that wasn’t so much to ask for.
Devin’s girlfriend eventually appeared—a pretty brunette wearing huge hoop earrings and her hair in a high ponytail—and Charlie said his goodbyes and headed back to his table, where Lanie and Amber were waiting for him.
“Did you just hit on a guy waiting for his girlfriend?” Amber asked as he sat down. She looked as mortified as he might have felt if he hadn’t been forewarned.
“Yes, but only for a little while. He told me before I sat down. But he offered me a drink, so…” Charlie shrugged. “Free beer is free beer.”
“I saw the hand-holding move,” Lanie said. “That was a good one.”
“Thanks. Since he didn’t fall madly in love with me, I’m thinking it didn’t work exactly the way I imagined it.”
“He was cute, too.” Amber sighed, leaning her head on Lanie’s shoulder. “A little soft around the edges, so there’s something to grip.”
Charlie snorted. He’d liked that as well.
“I know. My disappointment is infinite. I’ve forgotten what sex with other people is like.”
Lanie raised an eyebrow. “Has it really been that long?”
“Over a year since Paul,” Charlie said. “So yeah. It’s been a while. Involuntary celibacy is even less fun than it sounds like it would be.”
“We need to get you a vibrator. I’ve been meaning to talk Owen into stocking a small selection in the pharmacy with the sexual health stuff.”
Charlie wrinkled his nose. “Do not tell my brother that I can’t get laid.”
“Those were two separate thoughts,” Lanie clarified. “I don’t want to discuss your sex life or lack thereof with your brother any more than you do.”
