He helped Devon load up his car, then they both headed across the street to David’s, the scent of marinara spicy and rich. The bell over the door jangled as they walked in, and Dave himself came out to wait on them.
Soon they were settled with salads and drinks, waiting on the mains.
“So, what else are you going to do with your weekend? Anything fun?”
He blinked at Devon. “I don’t know. I can’t go too far. I’m not on duty, but I am on call.”
Devon chuckled. “Me too. Always on call, to be honest.”
That was…refreshing. It was strange to have someone who understood being on call, who didn’t get angry.
“Anyway, what do you like to do besides eat?” he asked. Then Laird slapped his hand against his forehead. “Oh my God, that sounds awful. Like all you ever do is eat. I just meant that’s all you and I have ever done together. Do you like to go to the festivals around town and stuff?”
“I love festivals, and I like jeeping. Do you like to go jeeping?” Devon beamed. “I mean, I don’t like to drive because, well, I’m not afraid of heights or anything, but I don’t think that I’d be very good at keeping it from flying off a boulder someplace if I did it. But I do love to go out with the outfitters.”
Babbling Devon was adorable, really adorable.
“I can drive.” He chuckled softly. “Camping? Swimming?”
“I love the hot springs. And rafting!” Devon beamed at him, lit up. “I love rafting. So much fun. Great exercise. It’s nice and cool. It can be really exciting. I’ve done a number of trips.”
“I didn’t think about knitting and outdoor sports as compatible hobbies,” he admitted.
Devon shrugged, and his expression was relaxed and open. “Well, you know, knitting is really portable. I always have a tiny bag of knitting—socks usually. I can take it with me anywhere. I can take it to the mountains; I can take it in the office.”
“That’s super cool, actually. I do that withwhittling. I always have a knife. Hell, I’ll buy one if I fly to like, Banff. And there’s always deadfall.” He made weird little animals and monsters and faces, which his friend Amber sold in a funky gallery down in Madrid, New Mexico.
“Oh yeah? That’s cool. I’d love to see what you make. Do you do animals?”
“I do.” His cheeks heated a little. Man, how long had it been since someone had been interested in him for something besides quick sex? “Do you collect any?”
“I am a huge koala bear fan.”
“Koala bears? Really? That’s amazing.” He’d never met anyone who collected koalas.
“Well, you know. They’re good parents. Pouches, the whole thing. I just fell into it, I suppose.” Devon winked at him. “Besides that, they’re just adorable and fuzzy and they have those big ears and those soft little noses…”
“That’s too cool.” He could totally do a koala. If he found a burl with the right grain, it would be adorbs.
“Well, you get bonus points for not telling me you think it’s ridiculous, but yeah, I do love a koala. What about you? What’s your favorite animal?”
He pondered that. “Well, I have two. One fits my alpha image right? I love a grizzly bear. But the one that really fascinates me?” Laird paused for dramatic effect. “Platypus.”
“Oh wow, those are like ‘God-laughed’ animals, aren’t they? Venomous and lays eggs and is a mammal. And they’re absolutely adorable except for the whole fangs and venom thing.” Devon nodded like he totally understood. “I love it.”
“You do get it.” He chuckled feeling super simpatico with Devon and, all of a sudden, the more he knew aboutthe guy, the more Laird liked him. He wanted to do this again, and they weren’t even past the salad stage yet.
“So, what are your plans for the rest of the day? Gonna do anything fun?”
Laird had to wonder if that was an offer because if it was, he was taking it.
“I had no plans past lunch.” He tilted his head, inviting confidences. “What are you up to?”
“I was thinking about hitting the hot springs pool and just soaking my bones.” Devon shot him a wicked little look. “I love it because they have a clothing-optional section that is also kiddo-free. Sometimes it’s nice to just be adults.”
His body roared to life at the idea of a naked Devon slipping into the hot springs tubs that were made to be clothing optional. Holy shitballs. Could he do that and not embarrass himself? He was half hard now.
“Do you want some company?”
