Oscar wasit.
“Well, if thosearecrocodiles we’ll have to put our expansion plans on hold,” Gary said after a moment, dragging Oscar’s attention back to the present.
“You don’t have to sound so thrilled,” Anna said, though she was smiling, too. They seemed like a nice couple, genuinely in love with each other even after years of being together.
Oscar wondered, idly, if that bothered Ryan. He’d just been through what was by all accounts a messy divorce.
Maybe it didn’t matter to him. Maybe he could still enjoy other people’s happiness.
Maybe it was really none of Oscar’s business.
Although… helikedRyan. Aside from thinking he was hot and wondering justhowbisexual he wanted to try out being, he was starting to enjoy Ryan’s company, his curious mind, the warmth of his rare smiles. Even though he’d gotten them into this mess.
The mess was working out for Oscar. He had a beer and a foot rub and a weekend away that he’d desperately needed. What was there not to like?
“Icancheck for you, but you’d be better off getting a real impact survey done. I promise I’ll check from a safe distance,” he added, not wanting Ryan to panic again.
“We’ll see,” Anna said. “The guest house was just an idea, anyway. With my daughter starting a family… I thought it’d be nice for them to have somewhere away from the main house to stay, especially when the baby’s older.”
“The baby hasn’t even beenbornyet,” Gary pointed out. “Give the poor kid a break.”
Oscar chuckled at that. “A new baby is exciting,” he said. “I mean… I mostly deal with animal babies, but…”
“Animal babies are exciting too,” Anna agreed. “I hear you’re looking after a tiger now.”
“We are.” Oscar grinned at the mention of Spot. “She’s actually being considered for breeding programs, too. So maybe one day we’ll have photos of tiger cubs for Facebook.”
Anna made a soft, excited noise that managed to sweep the rest of Oscar’s worries about this weekend away. He was among his people.
“Nowthat, I’d like to see,” Gary said.
“Well, we’re always accepting volunteers,” Oscar offered genuinely. He liked when people came to volunteer, even if it was just once or twice. There was always something that could use a second pair of willing hands.
“Might take you up on that.” Gary nodded thoughtfully. He looked as though he was about to say something else, but a wide yawn interrupted whatever that might have been. “Oh, excuse me.”
It wasn’t exactly late, but the drive down here must have been just as long for the Kowalski’s as it had for Oscar and Ryan, if not longer, and Gary had done the cooking tonight, so he was bound to be tired.
Unfortunately, Oscar wasn’t exactly sure how to extract himself from the conversation. Especially with Ryan still gently massaging his feet.
“We should let you guys sleep,” Ryan said, almost as though he’d read Oscar’s thoughts.
“We must seem so old to you two bright young things,” Anna said. “Yawning our heads off at a little after nine.”
Ryan shook his head. “Not at all,” he said. “I bet you’ve had as long a week as we have. I could even go for an early night myself.”
“Well, don’t let us keep you up.” Anna smiled kindly. “But feel free to wander the house and ground whenever you get up. No need to wait around for us.”
“Thank you,” Ryan said, nudging Oscar’s feet off his lap. “I think we’ll turn in.”
Oscar wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or disappointed. He’d just been getting used to Ryan touching him, and he missed it instantly.
On the other hand, he’d been enjoying it a littletoomuch.
“Night, boys,” Anna said as Oscar stretched and yawned widely, realizing a moment later that Ryan was already heading back toward the house. He turned to give a sleepy wave and then trailed after him, catching up after a handful of steps.
Oscar’s shoes were still at the front door, and he debated taking his socks off before deciding that it probably wouldn’t make much difference and heading inside, since Ryan hadn’t bothered either.
“So we’re even now, right?” Ryan asked as he started climbing the stairs, heading for the guest room they’d been shown earlier.
