Page 39 of Employing Patience

It’s a real challenge to keep a flirty look on my face. “Dr. Seuss?”

Instead of an answer, all Will gives me is a large burp before face-planting on the bar.

Aaand there goes that plan.

“Hey.” I pat him on the shoulder, drawing out a pathetic noise and nothing else.

At least I know he’s still alive.

I’m about to go find Joey and tell him to take his friend home when I spot Keller, shirtless, on the edge of the dance floor.

I wave to get his attention and watch as his focus slips from me and lands on Will.

He’s over in a flash. “What’s going on?”

“He’s drunk.”

“Will?”

An indistinguishable noise answers him.

“Want me to get Joey or—”

“No, I’ve got this.” Keller runs his hand over Will’s back. “Let’s get you home.”

Will’s head shoots up, and he blinks bleary-eyed at Keller. “Am I dreaming?”

“Just drunk.” Keller loops an arm around him. “Come on.”

But instead of standing, Will falls backward off the stool and into Keller’s arms. “My hero.”

Keller hoists him into a bridal carry. Which is a feat since Will isn’t exactly a small guy. “And my pain in the ass.”

I grin at how Will is rubbing his face on Keller’s chest. “Don’t pull a muscle, old man.”

“Fuck you too, Art.” Then he leaves, carrying Will like he weighs nothing. They’ll probably be hit up on the way out to make sure Will’s not being taken advantage of, but at least I know he’s in good hands.

A loud groan comes from beside me. “I think I just found another man crush.”

“Yeah, me too.” I turn to Joey and find him already looking at me. “You’re not going to leave me alone so I can hook up, are you?”

“Nope. But you can hook up with me.”

I shake my head and stalk away from him, but Joey keeps up.

“I’m relentless, aren’t I?” he asks.

“You say that like it’s a good thing.”

“Because we both know it is.”

“No, we both know you’re a tease with no follow-through. What did I do to deserve this?”

Joey grabs my arm and tugs me into the corridor that leads to the bathrooms. Then he presses me up against the wall. “Who says I won’t?”

“You. Countless times.”

“You sure about that?”

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