Page 50 of The Marriage Negotiation

"I like that idea," Patrick said before rolling us over until he was on top of me. "But first, I want my morning kiss."

So what if we didn't get out of bed for another hour? At least we had happy and sated smiles on our faces as we left the bedroom.

"Jackson, your work is just about to get a little harder," Patrick said when we saw the man. "We're grabbing breakfast to eat in the park."

Jackson grimaced. "Yes, sir."

He pulled out his cell phone as he walked toward the front door. I didn't know who he was calling, but at least the guy didn't argue with us.

I grabbed the hand Patrick held out to me and then walked with him out of the condo, Jackson following us like a silent shadow. It was a little eerie how well he blended in to the walls. It probably made him a great bodyguard, though.

We were lucky this time when we reached the lobby.

No Peter.

Outside, we walked down the street to a little bakery and cafe we had found on our second day in New York. Not only did they make great coffee, but they had pastries to go with it. I could quickly become addicted to this place if I wasn't careful.

Patrick put in our order when we reached the place before glancing at Jackson. "Do you want anything?"

"No, sir, but thank you for asking."

I was starting to wonder if Jackson had any expressions at all. He always looked so stone faced. He didn't frown. He didn't smile. His eyebrows didn't even move.

It was weird.

After getting our order, Patrick and I made our way across the street to the park and then started down the cement pathway that wound through the lush grass and trees.

"I like living this close to the park," I told Patrick. "I can't wait for winter when everything is covered in snow."

"You like snow, baby?"

I nodded enthusiastically. "Los Angeles doesn't get a lot of snow. The most I saw was when I went to Lake Tahoe for some skiing."

"Texas doesn't get much snow either, at least not the area I was in." Patrick had his coffee in one hand so he looped his other arm through mine. "I'd enjoy walking in the snow with you."

I smiled up at Patrick. "Then it's a date."

We walked a little more until we reached one of the many benches that lined the walking path. Patrick gestured to it. "Let's sit here and finish our breakfast."

While Patrick and I sat on the wooden bench, Jackson took up a position behind us, leaning up against a tree. Once again I was amazed at how well he blended in to our surroundings. If I hadn't watched him walk to that tree and lean against it, I doubt I would have known he was there.

"Have you given Jake's proposal any more thought?" Patrick asked.

"Some," I replied. "What are your thought on it?"

"Well, I have a small list of questions to ask him. If he can give me satisfactory answers, I'm interested in doing it, but I won't do it without you."

I nodded. "I agree. It's either both of us or neither of us."

"I like the idea of working with you."

"I do, too," I replied. "And I like Jake's proposal. As much as I like being a nurse, working in a hospital can get stressful. The hours suck and the pay is dismal. I don't know exactly how it is for doctors, but nurses do not get the respect they deserve. It's even worse for a male nurse. Everyone is so judgmental."

I'd even had patients refuse to be treated by me because they automatically assumed I was gay—which I was—and thought they could catch the gay "gene" by being touched by me.

It was stupid.

Patrick took a sip of his coffee and then looked out over the large expanse of green grass in front of us. "I definitely like the idea of us working together. I do think there will be periods where we have a lot of free time on our hands and other times when we'll work until we drop. We'd need to find a middle ground for that."

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