Page 76 of Call Me Sir

“Welcome home,” I hear him say quietly to Sal.

“Thank you, Frank. It’s been a while,” he answers back.

“Yes, too long, Sir.”

The exchange is so foreign, it slightly reminds me of Alfred and Bruce Wayne.

So it’s not just in the movies.

“We’ll begin our evening on the patio with smoothies and a sunset,” the staff member named Frank states as we go up a few steps to sliding glass doors.

They’re opened for us and we make our way to a stone patio where his father sits wearing a pair of shades.

“Welcome, welcome.”

He stands and shakes Sal’s hand, then hesitates, giving me the most interesting smile.

“We’ve met before.”

“Yes, this is Cole Matthews.”

“Have a seat,” Samuel says, gesturing to the padded chairs.

The view from here is spectacular and the last thing I want to do is sit. However, I do as I’m told. This is the father of the man who’s been fucking me… and our new client.

Heat rises to my cheeks as I wonder if his father can sense some sort of chemistry between us…if there’s anything left.

The lawn stretches across to the water where there’s a dock with a boat and some jet skis.

“It’s lovely here.”

And fun. Those jet skis are calling my name.

“Thank you. I’m certainly enjoying it. Occasionally I think of moving into something smaller, but I’ve worked so hard for this view. How do I let it go?”

Somehow I sense Sal stiffening beside me.

His father carries on, either unnoticing or unbothered. “Smoothies should be out soon. We’ll have a variety to choose from.”

Samuel leans back in his chair, resting his ankle on his knee. The shirt he wears is satin and the khaki pants make me grateful we dressed how we did. Despite his age, he looks content and healthy. I hate to admit I’m kinda mesmerized.

“So, how did you and Salvatore meet?”

“Work,” Sal answers curtly. “And we’re not boyfriends.”

Why does the truth hurt like a dagger to the heart?

“Yet,” Samuel says, wagging his eyebrows.

Sal grumbles beside me and I can’t think of anything to say. Sal just admitted we’re not together and I’m kinda hurt. But why should I be?

I booted him from my place when I had an actual chance to have him tangled in the sheets with me.

Twenty Five

Sal

“Cole, I don’t know what Sal’s told you,” my father gives no space for any sort of response and keeps going in one breath, “but I’ve made mistakes in the past and there isn’t much I can do to amend what I’ve done.”

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