Page 10 of Saddles & Suits

“Absolutely!” She beams, no doubt at the idea of me actually taking a real lunch break.

“Great. It’s Seb’s day to come up, and I’ve convinced him to let me take him out for a belated birthday lunch. Do you want to come?”

“To lunch with you and Seb? Uh… maybe not this time. I think it should be just the two of you.” Her smirk is more eloquent than a thousand words, and I make a face and sigh.

“It’s not like that. This is just a happy birthday lunch, same as when I take you on your birthday.”

She slumps back in her chair and pouts. “So you didn’t…?”

A pang of regret strikes as I shake my head. “Not yet. I think… I think I will, but I don’t… He works for me, yeah? I mean, he’s pretty much in charge of everything in my life that you don’t lay claim to. He’s more like a partner than an employee, as far as I’m concerned, but not everyone will see it that way. I want to be sure, and I want him to be sure that it’s more than just a casual thing. And anyway… he might not be interested.” I’ve been trying not to think about that. Seb and I got along really well. After that first awkward introduction, things were easy, with only a few sticky moments. But I was really careful to keep things friendly, not romantic or sexual, and Seb was a combination of incredibly professional and friendly. So… I’m not sure if an overture would even be welcome.

Plus, there’s always the possibility that Seb isn’t gay. I’m pretty sure he is—my gaydar has always been excellent—but there’s no evidence. Even if he is gay, he might not be out, which is another consideration.

Sarah shrugs. “You’re a good guy. I’m sure he’d be interested in at least a date. But I think waiting to see how you get along is a good idea. And I’ll book somewhere for lunch on Friday.”

Seb

I let myself into Jack’s apartment as usual at ten thirty on Friday morning. Carol, the cleaner, is just finishing up, and she smiles at me as she packs her basket of cleaning materials.

“Morning, Seb! How was the drive up?”

“Nice and quiet. I guess peak hour on the Monash was reasonable today, because there wasn’t much traffic hanging around. Have you had a good week?”

We chat for a few minutes, then Carol advises me of a few things that need attending to in the apartment and leaves.

I quickly go through and check what needs to be done, collect the things to take to the dry cleaner, and make a grocery list. I rearranged my afternoon to allow time for lunch with Jack, but it means I need to get my errands done first.

I arrive at Jack’s office with ten minutes to spare and have the building receptionist call up to Sarah so she can let Jack know I’m here. The receptionist ends the call and pushes a sign-in sheet across the desk to me. “She says to go up.”

I blink. “Ah…” What the heck? “Thanks.” I fill in the sheet quickly, then take the swipe card she gives me that will let me access the elevators.

Sarah’s waiting for me on the floor used by the foundation and greets me with a hug.

Which is weird.

We’re friendly, but the few times we’ve met before don’t exactly put us on a hugging basis.

But whatever.

I hug her back, because I’m not a douche.

“So, you met our lord and master at last?” she says, grabbing my arm and tugging me toward her desk.

I laugh and let myself be towed. “Yeah. It was a bit weird at first, but he’s a great guy.”

Peeking back over her shoulder, Sarah confesses, “The weird bit might be my fault. I deliberately didn’t correct a misconception Jack had, and he was surprised when he met you.”

That makes sense. Jack seemed surprised when we met.

“What was the misconception?” I perch on the edge of her desk, noting that the door to Jack’s office is ajar. Is he in there?

Sarah sinks into her chair and grins. “He’d somehow gotten the idea that you were a fussy old man approaching retirement.”

Say what? I blink again as the idea sinks in. Our first meeting replays through my mind, and I begin to laugh.

“Telling tales, Sarah?” Jack sounds amused, if somewhat abashed, and I wipe away tears of laughter and turn to see him standing in the office doorway.

“You thought I was an old man? Is that why you kept asking where Sebastian was?”

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