Page 49 of The Bartender Special

“My blood pressure is fine, thank you, but I am getting bored so either let me take over with the yard or finish it up soon. I have things to do today.”

Jack's smirk was gone.

Had Benny gone too far?

Had pissy not been the path?

Jack took a step toward him, erasing the space he’d just created.

Then his gaze swept from Benny’s eyes to his lips.

Everything went silent. Bluetooth disconnected from the world.

Their kiss from the bar floated somewhere in the void.

Was he about to kiss Benny again?

Should Benny kiss him?

Had they talked about kissing?

Why would they⁠—

Jack reached out and looped his free arm around Benny’s waist. He pulled him right up to his body like the flame knowing exactly what his moth wanted.

His momentarily unreadable expression turned to customer service charm.

“I'm not used to being the one who gets drinks served to them, so let me enjoy this moment,” he nearly purred. “No need to look so fussy about it.”

The sound of feet on the sidewalk behind them filtered into the world of silence.

Marzipan Junior started to bark opposite it.

Ah, we’re a couple and this is public.

Benny released his hold on defensive and pushed himself back from Jack’s grip.

“I’m just trying to keep us on a schedule is all, sweet cheeks,” Benny said, somewhat lamely. He had no idea where to put his hands, so he did the only thing that made sense to him in the moment.

He slapped Jack’s stomach.

Barely anything moved.

“It’d be a shame for the day to go to waste since we only have the two weeks.”

Jack’s smirk was back.

He took a long pull of water, but kept his other arm wrapped snug around Benny.

Benny looked up to watch a bird fly overhead, wishing he could hitch a ride.

Finally, Jack let go. He returned the cup.

“Give me ten minutes and I’ll be done,” Jack said.

Benny nodded and began his retreat, when it was Jack this time that called after him.

“And, Benny? If you want a show that badly, I make house calls too.”