Page 74 of Charmed By Destiny

“No,” Gabe answered firmly. “I haven’t figured out how I was lucky enough to get Eric. But I don’t waste time thinking about it anymore. I enjoy it, and loving Eric is easy. Everything about him makes it incredible.”

“I keep wondering why it isn’t harder. Maybe it’s not supposed to be. Richard fits me. It shouldn’t make sense. Our backgrounds are different. Besides our jobs, I don’t know what we have in common. But it works. Or at least it has so far.”

“You have intangibles in common. Caring for others. That’s a big one. Richard would do anything for his family. So would you, otherwise you wouldn’t have walked into the resort ready to take on a job without experience to help your necromancer.”

“Foxe still won’t talk to me.”

“You did nothing wrong, Luke. I can’t say anything against Foxe either. He has an addiction, and it’s winning right now. But that doesn’t mean it always will. At some point, Foxe may regain control of his life. It’s what happens then that matters. What he says. What he does. It sucks to wait for that day, but there’s really nothing else you can do at this point. Ensure him that help is here when he wants to accept it.”

His heart heavy, Luke nodded. “Yeah, I texted him and left him a voicemail with every place he can find me.”

“Forgive yourself for being happy without him.”

“Thanks, you may be smarter than you look.”

Gabe chuckled. “I’m not, but I appreciate the compliment. Eric is the beauty and the brains of our relationship.”

“I guess I’d have to say Richard is the same in our relationship too.”

After pulling the car to a stop and turning off the engine, Luke handed Gabe his bouquet.

“A piece of advice,” Gabe said. “Keep that information to yourself. Richard isn’t as sweet as Eric, and he’ll let that go to his head.”

“Too bad I enjoy complimenting Richard.”

“Right. Let me go see if your Prince Charming is ready for your date,” Gabe remarked as he opened the front door and waved Luke indoors. The door shut, and Clark appeared out of nowhere with a clipboard in his hands.

“Good evening, gentlemen. Welcome to the famous restaurantLa Belle Femme, named for the gorgeous Rosalind Marwood, of course.”

“Oh, of course,” Luke replied, grinning.

“Do you have a reservation tonight, gentlemen?” Clark asked.

“I don’t,” Gabe replied.

“Then please leave, sir, we don’t have any space on our schedule for walk-ins,” Clark retorted.

“The staff here is rude,” Gabe commented as he stalked upstairs.

“At least the gentleman had a nice bouquet for his beau,” Clark said.

“Not just his beau, his husband,” Luke replied.

Clark’s brows flew up, and the mischief in his grin reminded Luke of Richard. “Someone married that man? The poor dear. How he must suffer. Anyway, do you have a reservation?”

“I certainly hope so. Do you have two for Wynnter?”

“But it’s barely fall,” Clark said. He guffawed at his own joke. “Forgive me, I couldn’t help adding a little humor. Last name is Wynnter? Spelled like the season, I presume?”

“No, do you really want me to spell it out?” Luke asked, wondering how far Clark was going to take his little charade.

Clark glanced at the clipboard. “Allow me to peruse my list for the evening. Ah yes, Wynnter. Here it is. Your table is ready, but it would appear you are missing your date.”

“That’s okay, he’s the kind of man you don’t mind waiting for,” Luke replied.

“I understand. I have a wife like that. Could I offer you a glass of wine so my boss doesn’t garnish my wages for the evening?”

“Sure.”

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