Page 7 of Feels Like Home

“It was my diabolical plan to spend more time with you.” Ian chuckled then focused on his own menu.

Jace stared at the choices, but he was also covertly fixated on Ian’s full, kissable lips. At that moment, the bottom lip was caught between those perfect white teeth.

Ian was focused on what he wanted for dinner.

Jace was focused on what those lips would feel like on any part of his body. What he wouldn’t give to find out.

Julian Sanders approached their table. Jace knew a lot of people in Midnight Falls. He just had a hard time talking to them. His mind always blanked out when it came to conversations. Small talk was his downfall.

“My day always brightens when I have a celebrity in my section.” Julian’s bluish-gray eyes sparked with humor.

What was the guy talking about? What celebrity?

“Then it gets even brighter at the sight of Jace Galano.” Julian whipped out his electronic order thingy.

The compliment made Jace squirm. His mouth tugged into a smile, though he refused to look at the server, concentrating on his plastic-covered menu instead.

“Are you vying for a bigger tip?” Ian asked with a grin. “I haven’t been in the spotlight for five years, so stop buttering me up.”

Spotlight? Jace wanted to whip his phone out and Google Ian’s name. Curiosity was gnawing at him to find out why the guy had been a celebrity.

“I’m not buttering anything. What do you guys want to drink?” Juliun tapped the screen a few times. “I swear I hate using these. They make ordering easier, but not when they glitch.” He yelled over his shoulder, “Roman, this handheld POS is acting up again!”

“Stop whining and grab another one,” Roman hollered from the pass. “Your moaning is making the sizzle on my grill fizzle out.”

“Now he’s a rhyme master.” Julian rolled his eyes. “Give me a second, guys.”

“Never a dull moment in this place,” Ian said. “I hope your day improved after you left work.”

“How so?” Jace set his menu aside.

“Has Owen treated you that way since you started working there?” Ian followed suit and lay his menu down. The skin between his eyebrows wrinkled. Then his foot tapped Jace’s in a slow tempo. A gentle smile crossed Ian’s lips as he stared at Jace.

Jace shrugged then gazed at the tabletop. “It’s a pretty easy gig. The hours aren’t bad. The pay is decent.”

“Which tells me that Owen has been a constant dick to you.”

At the slight snarl in Ian’s voice, Jace looked up. “He’s just…Owen. Full of…” There was no way to finish that sentence politely. The only thing Owen was full of was his own self-inflated ego. “Why did Julian call you a celebrity?”

Ian rested his forearms on the table and clasped his hands. “With the way this town gossips, I’m surprised you don’t know.” His eyes filled with something Jace couldn’t discern, a faraway look that pinched his features slightly. “I was a pro snowboarder for ten years. Gave up the profession five years ago.”

“I don’t follow sports. My mind can’t grasp the rules and whatever lingo is used for whatever game.” Jace rubbed his upper arm. “You don’t look old enough to have snowboarded for ten years and retired for the past five. You must have started in your teens.”

Ian broke into an open, friendly smile. “I carry my age well. Let me guess.” He studied Jace for a moment. “Early twenties.”

Jace touched his cheek as heat erupted over his face and the tips of his ears. “Twenty-four. I would try to guess your age, but I would probably insult you. Numbers aren’t my thing. For example, when we met, I thought you had to be at least six-three or six-four. I’m way off, right?”

He tapped Jace’s foot. “Close. I’m six-five.”

Tapping his finger on his chin, Jace tried again. “Late twenties at the most.”

Julian returned. “Sorry about that. Have you guys decided on your drinks? As long as I was, you two probably know what you want to eat, as well.”

“I’ll have an iced tea,” Ian replied.

“Same,” Jace said.

“Sweetened or unsweetened?” Julian asked.

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