Page 4 of Feels Like Home

“I’d like to get to know you better.” Ian placed a palm next to the rags, tucking his other hand into the front pocket of his pants.

When the most gorgeous man you’d ever seen asked to take you to dinner, sparks didn’t ignite. Insecurities did. And so did a hell of a lot of panic.

“Would you prefer to have coffee instead?”

Jace found himself asking without realizing the question had even formed. “What time?”

“Are we having dinner or coffee?” Ian asked amusingly.

“Dinner.” Jace didn’t want to tell his mom he was going on a date. She would make a big fuss about it, and since he wasn’t sure if this would lead to anything, he would prefer to avoid her enthusiasm.

But he had to tell her something since she was making dinner at home.

“Take my number.” Ian pulled his cell phone from his pocket. Jace did the same and rattled off his phone number. His phone rang then stopped. “Now you have mine.”

Jace wanted to snap a picture of Ian so he’d have a face to go with the new contact, but was too shy to ask if he could.

“Does six work for you?” Ian tucked his phone away. “That’ll give you enough time to run your errands and make it to Deep Dish on time.”

“Jace, are you done in here yet?” Owen hollered when he walked cockily into the locker room. “There’re clear signs that say to wipe down the equipment after use, but some people act like they can’t read. Go clean off the weight benches.” He stopped midstride and glanced between Ian and Jace. A flare of annoyance flashed in his eyes. “I thought you were a quiet mouse. Whatever. You’re not getting paid to stand around talking.”

That strange animalistic rumble vibrated in Ian’s chest again.

Owen tapped his bare wrist. “You have an hour before your shift ends. I suggest you get your work done, or you’ll have to stay over. You won’t get paid overtime since you’ll be making up for goofing off.”

If Jace didn’t need this job, he’d quit. The owner had seemed laidback and good-natured. Why on earth would Zeke hire someone as insufferable and arrogant as Owen? Every time the guy opened his mouth, Jace wanted to shove his cleaning rags inside to shut him up.

Jace hurried away, determined to finish his work before it was time to clock out.

Chapter Two

“I got everything on your list.” Jace set the bags on the kitchen table, wiggling his arm when one of the handles caught on his wrist. The handle finally released, then two cans rolled from the bag but stopped when the fruit bowl blocked them from going any farther.

“Did you get my peanut butter cookies?” His grandma walked into the kitchen and kissed him on the cheek with a loud smack. “Been craving them all day.”

“Two packs of them.” Jace normally would have unloaded the bags, but he wanted to jump into the shower. The store run had taken longer than he’d anticipated. It hadn’t helped that only one register was open and the people in front of him had full carts.

“You’re a darling!” His grandma smiled brightly. She dug through the bags as Jace turned to his mother.

“I can’t stay for dinner. I, uh, I’m meeting some friends at Deep Dish.” He hated lying to her, but that was better than her becoming excited about her son having a date. Jace didn’t want to stand there and answer a million questions or have to listen to dating tips.

“Why didn’t you tell me when I called you?” His mom rested her hand on the back of one of the chairs at the table.

“Last-minute plans.” Jace took a step back, afraid she would be able to see right through the lie. Moms had a weird way of knowing a lie from thirty paces away.

“He’s twenty-four, Myla. Jace needs to get out instead of sitting up with two old ladies.” His grandma opened one of the packs of cookies and pulled one out. A look of pure joy crossed her face when she took a bite.

“You might be old, but I’m still young,” his mom huffed. “Fifty-one is the new thirty.”

“And seventy-six is bad on your hips,” his grandma countered.

As the two exchanged banter, Jace walked backward then hurried to his room. He jumped into the shower, scrubbing the day off of him. The last hour at the gym had been nonstop cleaning. He’d worked up a sweat trying to get everything done in time.

Like the asshole that he was, Owen had looked over Jace’s shoulder nearly the entire time, scrutinizing his work and nitpicking everything.

At least Jace had tomorrow off and could get a break from Mr. Obnoxious.

When he stepped back into his bedroom, Jace rummaged through his closet and drawers trying to decide what to wear. Jeans or shorts? T-shirt or something with a collar? Sneakers or…sneakers? He needed to start buying something other than tennis shoes.

---