Page 24 of Ethan

"Birthday parties?"

"That would be the reason."

"Maybe I'll take you some time."

"I'd like that." The mains were dropped off. I set in on the fried chicken first. We chatted a bit about my last surfing trip to Tofino and how I'd gone with Liam. Then how Owen and I scheduled trips to Mount Washington for snowboarding at least twice during the season. Daniel had done some skiing when he was in his early 20s. Then his kids came along, and he stopped.

Daniel picked at the beef tartare on his plate. "I like to go camping."

I wrinkled my nose. "Never got into it. I'm not much for sleeping in a tent."

"I have a camper van," Daniel said.

"Really?" That sounded so much— "Better. A proper bed is important to me."

Oops.

Dangerous territory. We'd agreed to take it slow. A bed was not going to be a destination visit during tonight's evening together. Even though I was feeling it. The more time I spent with Daniel, the more I wanted him. It was clear by his breathing as he watched me, he wanted me too.

Daniel cleared his throat. "Tell me about those friends in your special group."

I had filled Daniel in a little in the past. In passing. "We started a group called the Salish Sea Society. Stupid name, I know, but we were odd kids desperately looking to belong somewhere."

"Odd?"

I waved my fork around. "Well, we're all gay for one. Didn't know that when we started the group. Noah and Liam came out first. Then me. Then Owen."

"Owen is your best friend?"

Daniel must have been paying attention to my rambling. "We were in art classes together."

"I didn't know you liked art. I used to try to draw when I was younger."

"Try?"

"I'm terrible at it. I'm better with numbers."

"You like your job?" I asked.

"I used to. It's wearing thin on me. I'm going to retire in a year."

I laughed then sighed. "Retirement is not in my future as long as that coffee shop is around."

"Does that bother you?"

"No. I wouldn't know what else to do with my time."

"I've had to do a lot of thinking about that."

"Any decisions?"

Daniel smiled at me. "A bit of camping. A bit of bowling. A bit of reading."

"A man of leisure."

He set his fork down and brushed his fingers across mine.

"I'd like to find someone to share it with."

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