Page 3 of Baby Boy

“Thank you, Jasmin,” Jace responded. His voice was deep and low.Sexy.He had a sexy drawl that Avery could spend hours listening to.

Jasmin walked to the back counter and started to make Jace’s drink. Avery wished she’d asked him to make the coffee, so he’d know what to do instead of standing there like an idiot staring at Jace.

Jace turned back to Avery, who froze. Avery didn’t know if he wanted to run away or step closer.

“Jasmin was just telling me that you re-enrolled in classes today,” Jace said.

“She did?” They were talking about him. Why?

“I asked if you were off today,” Jace told him. “You’re usually up front when I come in on Fridays. She’d told me that you’d just gotten in and were putting your stuff in the back.”

Jace had asked about Avery? What was even happening? It wasn’t like the older man would be interested in Avery. Maybe he needed something else? “Is there something I can do for you, sir?” There, that was polite. He was doing his job. Functioning.

So why did it sound like Jace groaned?

“Sir?” he asked when Jace didn’t respond.

“Jace,” he corrected. Why did his voice sound huskier? Must be Avery’s imagination. “I’ve told you to call me Jace.”

Avery nodded. “Jace. Did you need something?”

A sigh sounded from Jasmin as she bumped his shoulder before handing Jace his drink across the counter.

“No, Avery, I was just concerned when I didn’t see you. I was glad to hear you weren’t sick or anything.”

“Oh!” Yeah, some people got attached to their baristas. It was easier when someone already knew your drink and how to make it exactly. “I’m sorry. I’ll make sure I’m front the next time you come in,” he offered.

Jace simply smiled. “You do that.” He lifted his cup to Jasmin. “Thank you. You both have a good night.” He spun on his heel before walking to the door.

Avery couldn’t stop watching him until he was out of sight. He was just so perfect. Jasmin sighed again. “What?” he asked.

She frowned then shook her head.

“What?” he repeated.

Jasmin still didn’t answer. Instead she strolled to the back counter mumbling under her breath.

Avery shrugged before he started to straighten the cups. Jasmin always had them on the verge of falling over. And if he got lost in daydreaming about the handsome man who’d been filling Avery’s fantasies for far too long, who could blame him?

CHAPTER ONE

JACE

Two Months Later

Jace leaned back in his chair as he listened to his best friend. Mitch, a defense attorney, had been in a foul mood when he’d arrived at the restaurant. Jace had known right away it was work that was bothering him. All Mitch did anymore was work. Jace wished he could make Mitch quit that fucking job, but it would take something drastic for Mitch to leave the high-powered attorney office that Mitch’s father was a partner in. Mitch didn’t belong there, but he also wouldn’t listen to Jace or their other friends who had tried to tell him that.

Family meant something to Mitch, even if that family was led by an asshole.

“I can’t eat another bite,” Mitch complained. He pushed his plate away and groaned. “Why do you insist on coming here? I always have to work out for an extra hour after dinner with you.”

Jace let his gaze travel to the other side of the restaurant where his boy was working. Okay, Avery wasn’t his boy, yet, but he would be someday. Someday soon because Jace was tired of watching Avery flounder about and struggle. He wanted to claim the boy whether or nor Avery was ready. “I like the scenery,” Jace quipped.

Mitch snorted then picked up his wine glass. After taking a sip, he glanced to where Avery was talking to a table. “You’ve been watching that boy for how long?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Jace said. “I’m just waiting for him to be ready.”

“And how much longer is that going to be?” Mitch pressed.

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