“The Powerpuff Girls T-shirt is a look. For once, I myself look respectable in a plain black T-shirt.”
“It’s a midriff shirt, Lawrence. That’s not respectable.”
Lawrence shrugged. “Let’s walk until we find a corner diner.”
“Sounds good,” Tyler said, then sighed. “I had two gigs cancel on me this month. I shouldn’t be spending my money eating out.”
Lawrence frowned. “I’ll pay for breakfast. And let me give you some money to help you along.”
“You always offer.”
“And if I push enough, you usually say yes. Anyway, it’s my money.”
“I know, I know,” Tyler interrupted. “You’ll do whatever the hell you want with your money, no matter what anyone else thinks.” They’d had the conversation a million times before and probably would have it again. “And thank you.”
“I’m investing in your drag career,” Lawrence said. He took Tyler’s hand in his, and they swung back and forth as they walked. “The world needs Merry Tyler.”
For a couple of hours, Lawrence was able to relax with his friend while the hangover eased away. Over blueberry pancakes and coffee, he mined Tyler for details on his relationship with his boyfriend. Although Lawrence was himself strictly uninterested in monogamy, he still found relationships fascinating, and Tyler was happy to indulge his curiosities.
“Well of course we don’t shower together every single time,” Tyler laughed, his blue eyelids fluttering. “That would be ridiculous.”
When they were done, Lawrence prepared to drag himself home, and he and Tyler said goodbye with a quick kiss on each cheek. Lawrence had his family dinner that evening, and he’d need to rest and clean himself up properly first, or else his grandmother would make the evening insufferable. As was not uncommon, his father was also inviting a few select guests, a diplomat and his wife that time, if Lawrence remembered correctly, and probably a colleague or two.
“Fancy seeing you here.”
He turned with a startle. No sooner had Tyler stepped away than this other man appeared, standing right there on the corner in a charcoal suit. It took Lawrence a second to recognize him.
“You bought me the drink at the Fire Hose last weekend.”
“Indeed I did.” The man popped his wrists out of his jacket. “Dixon,” he said. “And you’re Lawrence, is that right?”
In the daylight, Lawrence suddenly realized how striking the man actually was. His sandy hair was combed back and shaved tight at the sides, and his hazel eyes were bright and clear. He had grown a light beard, and his skin was smooth beneath the scruff. Lawrence offered his hand, draping it out for the man to take, which he did. “A pleasure to see you again,” Lawrence cooed.
“Could I walk you wherever you’re going?”
Lawrence paused, considering it. His hair was certainly a mess, and he knew at least a few curls were sticking in odd directions. And while the tight jeans and midriff shirt were flattering, especially in the way the jeans hugged his hips and rounded his bubble butt, he definitely needed a toothbrush.
But screw it, Lawrence figured. Another distraction from the family dinner would be nice, and it was turning out to be a lovely morning for a stroll. Why not skip the Lyft? “Down to Chelsea?”
“Quite the hike. But I guess it is a beautiful day. Lead the way.”
Lawrence smiled, then started down the street. “And what brings you out, Dixon?” he asked, glancing out of the corner of his eye to confirm the man actually was as handsome as he thought.
“Just a stroll,” he answered. “Thought I would grab an espresso and maybe the newspaper.” He glanced at Lawrence’s outfit, his eyes trailing a hot path down his body and then back up. “And you?”
Lawrence laughed, then spun a pirouette as they walked. “Just returning home from another evening out.” Like at the club, he felt instantly charmed by his companion. And desperate for a distraction from his bodyguard, Lawrence saw no reason not to rush forward, especially with someone so suave. “Although, sadly, I have still not found love.”
“That’s what you’re looking for, is it?”
“Maybe not,” Lawrence admitted as they came to a stop at a corner. The sidewalks were only lightly filled with pedestrians, and carts on the street sold breakfast sandwiches beneath the skyscrapers. “But who’s to say? Just the other week, the most handsome man bought me a drink when I was out dancing and then disappeared like a ghost.”
“That is a predicament. And thank you. Such a sweet compliment from a true beauty.”
Lawrence felt his cheeks pinking. Straightforward, pornographic come-ons? Those he could field all day. But this Dixon guy was charming, and that had him flustered.
“Coffee?” Lawrence asked, nodding toward a food cart.
The stranger bought him a latte and got himself a double shot of espresso in a tiny paper cup. Pigeons flew by, and cars honked, and all of a sudden, Lawrence remembered that he had his heart-shaped sunglasses in his fanny pack, which he popped on.
