Page 103 of Call Me Sir

“I help people locate what they’re looking for in the area. That can range from planning a vacation, to finding the best veterinarian service, to now planning the biggest party of the year.”

I’m sure he has loads of other questions, but I’m not ready to dive into that just yet.

“Ace, are you here for the whole summer?”

It was revealed last summer that he’s a hero, secretly going to war torn countries to volunteer at hospitals.

Sal’s legs tense under me but I figure he’s just antsy.

Now that I’m in my element I’m only eager to move this to the dinner table.

Ace sits up a bit. “It was hard not to go this summer, but I have worked out some ways with my father so the work will continue. I’ve actually trained two dozen paid employees to do more than I ever could.”

I don’t miss the note of regret in his words. I get the sense he’d prefer it was him.

Oliver squeezes Ace’s thigh and there’s the sweetest silent exchange between them. The dirty blonde’s frown lifts a little.

“Let’s get to dinner before it gets cold.”

We all get up and at the table, Sal tops off our glasses off and I explain the dish. It’s a simple fish taco dinner.

I’ve made it before and while i’m worried it’s too basic, the two happily dig in and even make satisfied noises.

Ace wipes his face with one of the fancy napkins I picked up.

“Cole, this is excellent!”

I could faint. I might die right here on the spot and be totally cool with it.

“Thank you.”

I sip my wine and glance at Sal who hasn’t touched the food. Rather, he’s glaring at Ace. Snapping out of it, he catches me looking at him confused and tries the food.

Sal finally says something, and says, “Great job, babe.”

“Thanks!”

“So how did you two meet?”

I wait to see if Sal answers, he does not.

“At work, actually. We’ve worked together for a long time. It wasn’t until recently that we started chatting at a work party and we hit it off.”

It’s not a lie, right? I mean, I’m not gonna say my boss started jerking me off in the work bathroom, cause that’s… hot but crazy.

“That’s so cute!” Oliver sips his wine a little too quickly. I only say that because he giggles when he puts his glass down. “That’s actually how we started off too. Well, Ace was my boss.”

I nod. “Sal is my boss too.”

“Sal, what’s your last name?”

Every effort to appear, his normal annoyance, dissipates. “Amato.”

Ace doesn’t seem satisfied by the answer.

“My last name used to be Hammond.”

That answer seems to click something in place for him. “Like, the son of Samuel Hammond?”

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