Ezra glanced up from his plate of steamed baby carrots, mashed potatoes, and homemade chicken nuggets, looking like a deer caught in headlights. “Isn’t that one of your restaurants?”
“Yes, it’s a quiet place, and I think there are items on the menu you might like to order.” Roman would make sure of it, one of the perks of being the owner. “It would be my way of saying thank you for all the hard work you’ve been doing around here.”
“Like a bonus?”
“Sure, like a bonus.”
Ezra licked his lips, oblivious to the effect it had on Roman, and tilted his head thoughtfully. “I’m available Saturday night.”
“Wonderful. Saturday night it is.”
* * *
Ezra looked sohandsome in his baby blue dress shirt with a matching navy sweater vest and form-fitting slacks that hugged his little bubble butt. His soft, brown hair was brushed back from his face and his cheeks were pink from the cold, as was his button-nose. Roman had never visited his college campus, but he could easily imagine Ezra in that context, as a student or one day, a professor. Then it occurred to him, what if Ezra started dating someone? A man he’d met at school or even someone in his own major who had more in common with him than Roman. What if Ezra wanted to bring him home? What if that man tried to touchhisEzra? The green-eyed dragon inside him reared its ugly head and wished to set fire to all of Ezra’s suitors, imagined or not.
“It’s nice in here,” Ezra said, unaware of the mental war that was raging inside Roman’s mind. He peered at their surroundings from inside the alcove of their private booth. It was the most upscale of Roman’s restaurants with soft lighting and intimate seating. Soothing jazz could be heard faintly over the tinkling of silverware and glasses. Roman had chosen it because it was quiet, but also because it was romantic.
“This was the third restaurant I purchased after N’awlins and The Bleachers,” Roman said. He also owned a small barbecue joint on Bourbon Street and two Cajun diners on the outskirts of town. He’d made a conscious effort to diversify his portfolio, not wanting to invest too heavily in one type of eatery.
“I’ve eaten the beignets from N’awlins and they’re very delicious,” Ezra said.
“You didn’t tell me you liked beignets,” Roman gently chided.
“I told you I liked doughnuts.”
“Ezra, for a splitter, I’m shocked that you’re lumping the two of them together.”
Ezra smiled sweetly and glanced around again. Julie, their server, introduced herself and asked for their drink orders. Roman slyly revealed that Snapple fruit punch happened to be available.
“For me?” Ezra laced his fingers together and pressed his hands against the center of his chest.
“Just for you, cutie.”
Julie left and another server appeared, one who was far less welcome. “I didn’t know you were here on a date,sir,” Sebastian drawled. This was the same Sebastian who had taken Roman’s AMEX with him to St. Martin. After they’d broken up, Sebastian had applied for a serving job, unbeknownst to him. It was two weeks before Roman realized the man, who had not succeeded in embedding himself in his personal life, had infiltrated Roman’s professional one. But he was good at his job, and it didn’t seem fair to fire him simply for being a shitty ex-boyfriend.
“This isn’t a date,” Ezra said, much to Roman’s chagrin. “This is a bonus for my good work. I’m Roman’s housekeeper, Ezra Powell.” Ezra stuck his hand out to Sebastian, who shook it warily.
“And you’re my friend,” Roman added.
“And friend,” Ezra repeated shyly.
“I didn’t know you had ahousekeeper,” Sebastian said with a catty gleam in his eye.
“Now you do.” Roman pointedly turned his attention back to the man seated across from him.
“Well, if there’sanythingyou need, sir…” Sebastian leaned down to lay a hand on Roman’s shoulder, then whispered in his ear, “Anything at all. Please, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“No thank you, Sebastian,” Roman said curtly. Ezra’s wide eyes darted between the two of them before lowering again.
“He seems to really like you,” Ezra said once the troublesome man had left.
“Sebastian and I once dated.” Roman didn’t want to keep secrets from Ezra.
“Oh.” Ezra had that startled look about him.
“He wasn’t employed here at the time,” Roman clarified, lest Ezra think there was some sort of predatory pattern to his behavior. He compared the two men, who couldn’t have been more different, and wondered again what he’d seen in Sebastian in the first place. He’d been flirtatious, true, and somewhat charming at the outset but utterly lacking in emotional depth. They’d had very little connection outside the bedroom, and even in their early stages of dating, Roman couldn’t say for certain that he’d everlikedthe man. He could recall quite clearly seeing those photos of Sebastian draped over the arms of other men, his eyes blown wide with lust (or drugs). Whether it had truly been Sebastian’s aim to get his attention or if he’d simply been faking his devotion all along, the result had left Roman feeling hurt and foolish. So much so that he’d doubted his own instincts for a long time after.
Roman reflected on their exchange and deliberated saying more. “Ezra, what if thiswerea date?”
