Page 15 of Love in Unexpected Places

I huff and give her a look. “You’re the worst.” She knows I can never say no to her when she gives me puppy dog eyes. Rachel has had me wrapped around her fingersince we were kids. She comes over to give me a hug, knowing she’s getting her way. My best friend sucks.

“You’re the best, Wiz. I promise, he seems like a good guy. Even if the two of you don’t hit it off as a couple, you two can be friends. He just moved here a few months ago. He doesn’t have any queer friends, so it would be nice to show him some of the spots you take me and Vic to.”

I do know the queer community here. Not like we have a mailing list or anything, but I get word when there’s a party or meet and greet or brunch.

Rachel rushes to the door, then peers over her shoulder at me. “It means a lot that you’re doing this, Callum. I know I’m always hooking you up with people and I don’t always make the right choices, but I’m trying. I want you to have what Vic and I have. We’re going to spend the rest of our lives together because of you.”

Even when I want to be pissed at her for meddling, I can’t when she puts it like that. “Anything for you, Rach. But seriously, if this doesn’t work out, can you?—”

“Yeah, I’ll drop it. But I have a feeling about him. I think he’s it.”

“Who ishe?” I ask, still not knowing the mystery man’s name.

“Hudson. Hudson Perry. Look him up on our company website. We just took updated photos.” With that, she breezes out the door, leaving me standing in the kitchen with a lump in my throat and a cold cup of coffee.

To keep from stalking the man I’m supposed to meet tonight, I finish my animation. It’s not due for another week, but the quicker I get it done, the quicker I can get anew assignment and a bonus for meeting and exceeding my work goals. The character I’m designing is a gay superhero, something I jumped at because I wish I could have seen someone like this when I was a kid. I wish someone would have wanted to be more inclusive so I would have known there was nothing wrong with my sexuality, regardless of what society may think.

After that’s done and I have nothing else to do, I decide to get my workout in. I try to run at least three times a week to stay in shape and be active. I’ve already had my exercise for the week, but I figure anything that will keep me away from checking what thisHudsonlooks like will be fine.

There’s no real reason why I’m not looking. I guess I want to surprise myself.

At around seven fifteen, I figure I’ve wasted enough time fucking off and playing around with a freelance project and get up to shower for dinner. I text Rachel to let her know I’ll be there about ten minutes before eight and she sends me back a thumbs up. Weird, but I won’t question it.

I think about not washing my hair and just tying it in a ponytail, but Chasta’s is a more upscale restaurant and I don’t want to embarrass myself. As it is, I have blown dry my hair, which takes me entirely too long. Every time I have to go through this, I think about cutting my hair and being done with it, but I like it. It’s lush and long and I like how it feels when a man glides their hands through it, pulling as they fuck me.

Okay, not where I want my mind to go. I shake it off and finish my hair so I can get dressed. Instead of leaving it down, I decide on a bun at the top of my head, to better show off my face and jaw line. I might not be intentionally trying to make Hudson mine, but I want him to have agood look at me. I go for a burgundy suit with a black shirt and black loafers. The suit is fitted, so I don’t appear like I’m going to homecoming or something. It fits the vibe of the restaurant without looking like I’m trying too hard.

When I’m heading out of the door, I check my phone and see that I might end up late. I see a text from Rachel.

Rachel: Hudson made the reservation. Give the hostess his name when you get there. We’ll already be seated.

Yeah, I’m sure they will. As it stands, I’ll be about five minutes late, since I had to do my hair. I hate being late. This does not bode well with me keeping my hair.

There’s no traffic, so my Uber driver makes it to Chasta’s at exactly eight. Not too bad but I like being early. Oh well, can’t change it now.

I button my jacket as I head into the restaurant, glancing down at myself to make sure I’m presentable. When I get inside, I give the maître d Hudson’s name. Smiling at me, she says, “Right this way, sir. Your date is already seated. If you’ll follow me.”

My date? I don’t get a chance to ask what she means when she turns on her heels and walks to the back of the restaurant. I swear, Rachel is going to be in so much trouble if?—

The hostess stops at a table in the back and holy fucking shit.Thisis Hudson? This tall, tan, handsome, and stacked man is mydate?And he brought me flowers? I take it back. Rachel won’t be in any trouble at all.

chapter three

HUDSON

Itry to play it cool when I see the hostess leading Cal back to the table. I’m not sure if I manage it, but I try. He’s even more good looking in person. That photo didn’t do him justice at all. His eyes are so expressive. When they land on me, they go wide and I can see the twinkle in appreciation. I feel my cheeks heat and I duck my head.

Awkwardly, I hold the flowers out to him and he smirks as he takes them. That’s not weird, right? You’re supposed to bring flowers to dates, right? The last first date I went on was almost four years ago. I don’t remember the protocol.Oh fuck, is this even a date? I’ve been so nervous about meeting him that I didn’t even stop to think if it was a date or if we were just meeting as friends.

Bringing the flowers to his nose, Cal breathes in and smiles. “I’m Callum. Did Rachel tell you that tiger lilies were my favorite?” God, his voice. So deep and smooth. I could listen to him talk all day.

Realizing he asked me a question, I shake my head. “No. They’re my favorite too. I was hoping you’d enjoy them.”

“Have a great evening, gentlemen,” the hostess says, snapping me and Cal out of our conversation.

His cheeks turn pink and it’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen. “Sorry about that. Thank you,” he says to her and she walks away.

We sit and Cal gives me a smile. “Did you bring Rachel and Vic flowers too?”

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