Page 25 of Nate

Nate looked at Kevin with friendly suspicion. “I think I just got suckered.”

Kevin didn’t say anything, he just shrugged. But there was definitely a guilty twinkle in his eyes.

Chapter Eleven

Nate didn’t make itover to Kevin’s that night. A backed up sewer line in the women’s locker room of the downtown Houston location caused a mess in the showers, leading to some very unhappy members. He’d spent three days overseeing getting everything repaired and making amends to the affected clientele.

The women who’d been in the showers when the line backed up had their memberships paid up for the next six months, along with a substantial gift card to a local boutique that sold handmade soaps and scented lotions. All of the women but one were satisfied. She’d chosen to be refunded for the remainder of her membership and leave the gym. Nate hated to lose even a single customer, especially a disgruntled one, but he knew he couldn’t please everybody.

He’d called Kevin to apologize for missing their date. And remembering that Kevin had said he’d be working the rest of the day, he’d had sushi delivered to him. Kevin had called to say thank you, his voice revealing his surprise at the gesture.

Nate smiled now as he remembered. It was such a change from the guys who were more concerned with how they looked in a full-length mirror and cozying up to his small bubble of fame rather than any kind of real connection. Those men often expected gifts. He couldn’t see himself going back to that after dating someone as natural and honest as Kevin.

Now, after three days of headache inducing hassle, he was walking up to Kevin’s building. He pressed the button for apartment 252. When Kevin’s voice came through the intercom, Nate smiled. He couldn’t help it.

“It’s Nate. Three days late, but finally here.”

There was another buzz and the door clicked. Nate entered the building and took the elevator upstairs to Kevin’s apartment. Kevin was waiting there in the doorway. As he approached, Kevin leaned out and sniffed.

“What are you doing?” Nate asked.

“Seeing if you still smell like shit. Can’t have you bringing that stink into my apartment.”

Nate grimaced as he reached the door. “Believe me, I took several in-depth showers after dealing with that nightmare.” He held the bags of Vietnamese food up. “All you should smell is pho.”

Kevin stepped aside. “Okay, you can come in then.”

Nate walked into Kevin’s apartment for the first time. “I’m surprised you didn’t make me give a password.”

“I thought about it.”

He turned around to see Kevin watching him. There was an expression of worry on his face that he quickly hid. Nate suspected what that look was for. “Let’s heat up the broth and you can show me your place while we wait.”

Kevin came forward to take the bags from him. “There’s not much to show, but all right.”

It was a studio apartment. It was bigger than most, but still only one large area. Only the bathroom was separate.

---