Page 60 of For Fake's Sake and other stories

I drop a kiss on her cheek and leave. The sun is already warming up the early morning sky, which means lots of people are out enjoying the weather and shopping. It’s going to be a long day. A drink after work sounds perfect. Could I persuade Everett to meet me?

The day is going just as I predicted. We are all rushed off our feet as more and more people enter the shop. Although I guess a lot of people are making use of our air conditioning instead of actually wanting to buy anything. They are making amess of all the displays, which means I’ll be working hard to get it ready for tomorrow.

As I straighten the fragrance stand for the hundredth time, someone approaches me from behind, so I step to the side to let them pass. But nothing happens, and I look over my shoulder. I’m met with a grinning Everett. “Hi, sweetheart. You look busy. I was hoping to sweep you off for lunch.”

I groan with disappointment. “You’re too late. I’ve already eaten. I had the early lunch break today.”

His smile droops a little.

“But I’m free after work if you’d like to go for a drink.”

He perks up. “Yeah? I can do that. What time do you finish?”

“I can be out of here by about quarter to six. Is that okay?”

“Perfect. Can I take you for dinner too? I bet you’ll be hungry by then.”

“I will be, but something in the pub is good. I don’t need anywhere fancy.” I glance around the shop. No one is paying any attention to us. I go up on my toes and peck a kiss on his mouth. “See you later.”

“I’ll be here.”

The last part of the afternoon drags so slowly. Every time I look at the clock, it seems the hands have hardly moved. I keep my section stocked up and as tidy as possible without getting in the way of the customers.

Finally, it’s five thirty, and I can leave. I rush to the staff room and pull my change of clothes, a hairbrush, and lip balm out of my locker. I have a quick sniff of my pits. I’m not sweaty or stinky, but I add a bit more deodorant, just in case. When I’m inmy jeans and a V-neck navy T-shirt, I brush my hair. For once, it behaves itself, and I don’t look too dreadful.

“You look good. Are you going out?” my manager asks as I return to the main room.

“Thanks, and yeah, I’m meeting my boyfriend.” I’m not sure if that’s what we are yet, but it feels like the easiest way to answer her. The door opens, and Everett enters the store.

He smiles widely, and my cheeks heat.

“Lucky you. He’s very handsome.” She gives me a wink and gets behind the counter to serve a customer.

“Hi.” I take Everett’s hand, wanting him out of the store before the others see him. Otherwise, they’ll pepper me with questions when I go back to work.

He kisses my cheek. “We’re boyfriends? Good, I like that.”

“You look smitten.” Phil leans back in his chair and locks his hands behind his hands, a shit-eating grin on his face. “He must be great in bed for you to still be interested in him.”

Anger floods me at my brother’s flippant comment. Not because I haven’t had Noah in my bed yet, but because Noah isn’t some easy shag. A flirty twink who only wants to have a good time and to shout Daddy when he comes. Yes, I’ve had hook-ups. What single gay man doesn’t have casual sex? But Noah isn’t like that to me. Of course I want him in my bed, preferably naked on his hands and knees, begging for my cock. Not yet, though. I’ve never been in love, but I’m sure the feelings I have for Noah are love. I want to make our new relationship into something good. Something solid and forever. I’m not rushing him, even though he wants to do more. He’ll be worth the wait.

“Don’t tell me you haven’t fucked him yet. You’re losing your touch.” Phil laughs loudly, but it dies quickly when I don’t even smile. “You’re serious about him. This is more than anything or anyone you’ve had before, isn’t it?”

“I think so, and so far, he’s happy with me. But I’m taking it slowly. I want him to know I’m serious about this, that I want him. It’s only been a month, but I’m hopeful.”

“Congratulations. When do I get to meet him?”

That will be a big fat NO for now. Phil has a knack for telling too many off-putting stories about me. He thinks they’refunny but hates it if I say anything about him to his wife and kids. We get on well, but he doesn’t know when to stop talking. “That’s not happening anytime soon.” I laugh. “You tend to put your foot in your mouth.”

I keep how often we see each other or the phone calls that last for hours in the night to myself. And how much we know about each other and his struggle with looking after his mum. That he misses the freedom he had when he lived in his own place, and it leads to him feeling guilty because it’s not her fault she’s ill.

The vibration in my pocket stops me from saying anything else to my brother. I pull my phone out and walk to my office. A picture of Noah lights up my phone. Hopefully, he doesn’t mind that I’ve attached it to his number.

“Hello, this is an unexpected pleasure. Is everything okay?”

“Everett, hi. I’m going to have to cancel tonight. Mum isn’t doing too well today, so I need to keep an eye on her. I’m really sorry.” He sounds totally bummed. We were only going to the cinema and then grab a pizza. Nothing fancy, but still we were looking forward to it.

“Hey, don’t worry. We can do it another night. Is she okay? Do you need anything?”

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