Page 6 of Unicorn Unashamed

Raymond smiled at him, making Josh’s insides feel all gooey. “It’ll be nice, being out with you. I’m glad you’re coming.”

That only made Josh feel gooier. “Thanks again for inviting me.”

“Yeah, of course.” Raymond held his hand out to take the kettlebell. “Now switch legs. We’ll finish your right side, then go through stretches and cool-down. Then you’re free of me til tonight.”

“Can’t wait,” Josh said with a possibly too-bright smile.

***

Raymond was nervous.

It was stupid to be nervous. He recognized that. He was super comfortable with Curtis and was looking forward to seeing him. Simon he wasn’t worried about. Josh was also someone Raymond was comfortable with. Raymond was really looking forward to seeing him outside of the studio.

But he also had just realized that Curtis and Josh were going to be at the same table, with him.

Raymond loved Curtis. He did. But Curtis was also too damn observant for his own good. It made him fantastic at his job. It made him a good friend. But it also gave him lots and lots of opportunities to sniff out stuff that wasn’t his business and try to make them his business. And while Raymond was just as serious about client confidentiality as Curtis was and so hadn’t told Cutis much about Josh at all… Raymond had, maybe, possibly mentioned that he had a client he was into.

Nothing more than that, no matter how much Curtis had tried to get more out of him, but he’d said it.

And now Curtis knew that Raymond had invited a client out to dinner with them.

So yeah. Raymond was nervous.

There was nothing for it, though. The best thing to do was try to relax and enjoy himself.

That’s what he told himself again, as he made the drive over.

Tracy’s wasn’t too busy, what with it being a Monday night, and Curtis had called in a reservation anyway, so it was easy to get seated. Raymond was the first one there, but he’d barely thanked the waitress for the water she’d brought when he caught wind of Curtis.

Raymond looked around for him and Simon, giving them a smile and wave when he saw them making their way towards the table. It was a little surreal to see Simon in person, especially next to Curtis. Curtis, who was about as big as Raymond was, was leading an anxious-looking Simon along with a hand at the small of his back, and Curtis absolutely dwarfed him.

Raymond knew enough about the movie industry to know how much smoke and mirrors went into making sure viewers saw only what the creators wanted them to see, but it really was an eye-opener to see how slight Simon was in real life. Intellectually Raymond knew that Simon was all of five ten, so not short by any means, and was as aware as anyone that his clothes were hiding a lean, well-honed body fit for being a movie star.

But mostly he looked small and a little unhappy.

He also barely smelled like anything at all, which was a little shocking. But then again… Josh also walked around without a very strong scent. Maybe it was just a unicorn thing?

Raymond shoved those thoughts away. Not appropriate and not the time. He stood up, smiling, and drew Curtis in for a hug. “Hey! Welcome home.”

Curtis grinned and slapped him on the back. “Good to be back. Though I can’t say I missed the torrential downpours.”

“That’s what you get for coming during monsoon season. But hey—means less tourists.”

“True.” Curtis turned to Simon. “Simon, this is Raymond. One of my best friends and the best damn personal trainer you’ll ever meet.”

“You flatter me.” Raymond held out a hand to Simon. “Nice to meet you.”

“Yeah, uh, you too,” Simon said, shaking before all three of them took a seat. Simon looked at the empty chair next to Raymond. “Weren’t… weren’t you coming with someone else?”

“Oh, yeah.” Raymond nodded. “That’d be Josh. We just came separately. He should be here—” as he said it, he perked up, catching the hint of scent that Josh did have. It was one Raymond knew well, because he couldn’t get enough of it. “Speak of the devil.”

“Hey,” Josh said, dropping into the chair and waving to the table at large. “Sorry, didn’t realize I’d be the last one here. I’m Josh Parker. Friend and client of Raymond.”

“Curtis Daniels,” Curtis said, holding out his hand to shake.

“Simon Walsh,” Simon said quietly, when Josh turned to him next.

Josh grinned and shook. “Yeah, hi. Welcome to Florida. Raymond said it was your first time here?”

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