Page 72 of Crossing Lines

My chest twinged. “I don’t know. Guess we’ll have to deal with it then. I’ll be home for part of the summer to see Mom anyway, so we can be together then.” I knew what I was in for. Even if we lived in the same city, there’d be a lot of traveling.

“Maybe you could get your old job back.” He threw me a smirk. “You think Vince would take you back?”

“Sure, why wouldn’t he?” I’d left on good terms. I glanced at him, then turned onto Mill Avenue and stopped at a traffic light. People walked down either side of the street in front of the shops and restaurants. It was always bustling around here. The gay bar was probably packed too, even on a Sunday.

“Hey, isn’t that the gay bar?” With a grin, he pointed up at the bar, perched at the top of the metal stairs on the corner, lights flashing out of the windows lined up on the building.

Shit. “Yep, that’s it.” I set my sights on the cars in front of me. I was not going to let him talk me into this…

“Let’s go. Just one drink.” He pushed on my forearm, resting on the center console. “Come on, I’ll be good. No threesomes, I promise.”

“You’re damn right there’d be no threesomes.” I scoffed. Damn it, he wasn’t going to give this up. I drove down the street.

“Please, Ryan. Just one drink. We’ll only be in there for an hour, tops.” With his brows knitting, he faced me. “Please. I don’t know when I’m going to get back down here, and the guyI’m working with set up dinner meetings with clients every other night I’m here.”

“Oh, really? When did that happen?” I glanced up at the line of men walking up the stairs. The place looked busy for a Sunday night.

“The invites came in an hour ago. The guy has nothing better to do on a Sunday than set up meetings, apparently.” With a scoff, he pointed at the bar as we drove slowly by in traffic. “Come on, look at the place. It’ll be fun.”

“Oh…fuck, okay.” Letting out a long breath, I slumped my shoulders. I never could turn him down, which was what had led to our open relationship. “We’ll leave my car in the parkade, then walk over.”

After showingour IDs to the bouncer, we strolled into the flashing lights and thumping music of the bar. The place was almost as full as on a Saturday night, but the guys were older, like us. What was up?

A soft smirk teased Laurent’s lips as he took in the men around him. “I thought there’d be more young meat here since we’re so close to campus.”

My gaze found the blackboard with all the shots written out behind the bare-chested bartenders. “Oh, half-off shot night.” Damn it, I knew what was coming next. He’d want to do a few shots.

A young, built man with short black hair, naked except for a tiny silver G-string, strutted to us, holding a platter of shots. “Hello, handsome.” He stopped at Laurent and snuck his lower lip under his teeth. “Apple Jack Daniels on the house.” He lifted a brow.

“Don’t mind if I do.” Laurent snatched two shots and handed one to me. “Thank you.” Tipping his head back, he downed it.

I looked inside my glass. I didn’t want to be hungover forwork tomorrow. Oh well. I drank the sweet whisky and hissed, the strong flavor of sour apple filling my tongue. “Not bad.”

The shot boy sidled up to Laurent. “Don’t think I’ve seen you around here before.” He flashed his eyes at him.

“I’m on a business trip. I’m from Toronto.” Laurent glanced at me, then set his empty glass on the tray. “You busy later?”

“I could be, if you know what I mean.” Shot Boy flicked his tongue over his upper lip. “I’m done here at eleven.”

“My hotel’s just down the street.” Laurent swayed his head to peek at Shot Boy’s rounded ass. “The Palms. You know it?”

“Of course I do.” With a tsk, he rolled his eyes. “If you stay until eleven, I’ll walk you home.” He bit the side of his lower lip.

Oh my fucking God. We’d only been in here for a few minutes, and Laurent had already found someone? I inhaled deeply, then scanned the room. Owen wasn’t around, was he? Nope.

“What’s your name?” Laurent gave Shot Boy a flirty smile.

“Adrian, but most people call me Addy.” He glanced toward a new group of men walking into the bar. “Come find me if you leave before eleven. Otherwise, I’ll come find you.” Grabbing Laurent’s chin, he planted a hard kiss on his mouth, then sauntered to the new group.

Laurent’s lips quirked and his gaze swung to mine. “Sure you don’t want some of that?” He tilted his head toward Addy.

“I’m sure. I have someone, Laurent. We spent a nice evening with him.” I sighed. What was going on? Was he testing me after I’d told him we were in love?

“Let’s go grab a beer.” He tagged my arm, and I followed him to the bar. “So, you and Jonah are really that committed to each other?”

A bartender came our way and we ordered.

“Yes, we are.” I propped my elbow on the bar and turned toward him. “As you’ve stated, I’m taking a chance with my career by dating him. I wouldn’t do that for someone I wasn’t committed to.”

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