Page 14 of The Mayor and the Mystery Man

Very easy. Dusty had no hint of hesitation in his voice, and I was an expert in deciphering his tone.

“We’d have to pretend to be in a relationship.”

“Yeah, that’s what a fake boyfriend does, right?” he asked.

“And you’re okay with that since you’re straight?”

“Yeah.”

I was at a brief loss of words. Dusty was never one of those straight guys who got all “ew gay stuff.” He was supportive from the second I came out to him, and our friendship hadn’t shifted. But still, this seemed like quite a leap he was taking for me.

“What about work?”

“It’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Yeah.”

“You don’t even know what this entails yet.”

“Leo. You’re my best friend, and you need my help. Whatever details or caveats you’re going to tell me doesn’t matter. The answer’s yes.”

I leaned back in my seat, grateful for this friendship. For the first time, I felt hope surging through my veins. “How soon can you fly out here?”

5

DUSTY

The next day, I settled my affairs in Los Angeles, which consisted of moving all of my meager belongings into storage, and hopped a flight to the east coast. I arrived at the small regional airport that night unprepared for the weather in my shorts and T-shirt.

Fortunately, Leo always thought two steps ahead and had an extra jacket in hand. He waited outside security, and when I saw him, I stopped in my tracks for a good moment.

Whoa. Leo looked good.

I mean, Leo always looked good. He cared about his appearance ever since I’d known him. But maybe it was because it’d been a few years, but seeing his tall swimmer’s build in person was like seeing him for the first time. He had flecks of silver filtering through his thick black hair, and his dark gray eyes gleamed with a determined glint. He looked good for a man in his early forties undergoing a major political crisis.

This was my objective opinion.

Leo made me think of all the warm, welcoming feelings most people would associate with home. He was the closest thing to home for me, that constant in my life to which I could always return, and I didn’t realize how much I missed him.

“Hey.” Leo walked toward me. Right, because I wasn’t moving. “Has jet lag hit you already?”

He tossed me his extra jacket, and my body clicked out of its daze long enough to put it on. Leo pulled me into a hug, his sharp, clean scent welcoming me.

“I guess it has. Yeah…it’s been a while,” I said.

“How long has it been?” His forehead crinkled as he calculated the time gone. “Almost three years.”

The number flattened me. I did not understand how time worked, apparently. “Doesn’t feel that way.”

“We talk all the time.” Leo picked up my suitcase. “I’m glad you’re here. Thank you again.”

“You don’t have to carry my suitcase.” I reached for it, but he pulled back.

“It’s the least I can do. You flew across the country to help me with this dog and pony show. I can carry your suitcase to my car.”

I yanked it away. “It’s on wheels.”

---