Page 125 of The Rules of Dating a Younger Man

“Let’s look around,” Owen said, beaming.

After we toured the space, we sat down with Owen, who ran specs for commercial properties that had been recently leased in this area. Since there were several other interested parties, we wanted to move fast, so we ended the afternoon by signing a preliminary agreement to lease the space.

***

Later that evening, Brayden, Wells, and I met Colby and Billie for dinner to celebrate.

“I’m so happy for you guys,” Billie said. “Here I thought we were gonna be losing Brayden, but we’re gaining Alex instead.”

I looked at Billie and Colby across the table. “I can’t thank you enough for being so welcoming to me.”

Colby poured some of the celebratory champagne Brayden had ordered for the table. “Thank you for making my buddy so happy.”

“Thank you for making my girl feel at home,” Wells added. “Any apartments open in the building for me, by the way?”

Colby scratched his chin. “Nothing at the moment, but we can put you first on the list.”

“I’d appreciate that.” Wells grinned.

“Are you moving into Brayden’s apartment, or are you guys thinking of getting a different place?” Billie asked.

I turned to Brayden. “His apartment is big enough for the two of us. It just needs a little tender loving care, maybe some art on the wall.”

“If you look up bachelor pad in the dictionary, I’m pretty sure Brayden’s apartment comes up,” Colby teased.

Brayden shrugged. “Hey, at least I gave her a blank slate to work with, right?”

I brushed a piece of his hair off his forehead. “You’re so thoughtful.”

“Correction,” Wells said. “You gave me a blank slate to work with, Brayden.” He turned to me. “Kitten, we need to rectify this fast. I can’t wait to decorate.”

As dinner began to wind down, I leaned over to Billie. “I was thinking of taking you up on your offer to ink me, if that’s something you have time for.”

“I’ll make time for you. You have no idea how exciting it is for me to give someone their first tattoo. You know what you want?”

“I do, actually. It’s simple, and you’ll probably think it’s boring, but I have to start somewhere.”

“What is it?” Brayden asked.

“You’ll have to wait and find out,” I told him.

Billie slapped her cloth napkin down on the table. “Well, hopefully not too long. Let’s go over to the shop after dinner.”

I stilled. “Tonight?”

“Why? You gonna change your mind or something?”

“No. I just figured I’d have to book an appointment well in advance.”

Billie shook her head. “I have a six-month wait. There’s no booking for friends. It’ll be fun. Like a little nightcap.”

“Any chance your hot, tatted, very gay employee might be there?” Wells asked. “The guy with the name that sounds like dick Brayden has been telling me about?”

So wrapped up in my own stuff lately, I’d nearly forgotten Wells had broken up with his boyfriend and was now on the hunt again.

“I can definitely call Deek and ask if he’d like to come downstairs and join us,” Billie said. “He lives right in our building.”

Once we’d finished, the five of us headed straight from dinner to Billie’s tattoo shop.

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