Page 5 of Breakfast Included

The crowd erupted into a frenzy of questions and complaints and ridiculous solutions like skiing or snowshoeing out—five miles, in the dark—or using sled dogs, of which there weren’t any. Even melting the snow to what . . . swim out? Reno shook his head. The only thing they could do was be patient and wait for the road to be cleared. Surely by morning, the road crews would have traffic moving again.

Bryan clapped his hands and brought the crowd’s attention back around.

“We think the best idea is for everyone to get at least some sleep, and we’ll regroup in the morning. We can double up in rooms with some careful organization, use rollaways, and luckily, we do have some empty rooms and some of the cabins.” He gestured to a tall, lean man with dark hair standing beside him. “Chet has some room assignments, so if you could come up one at a time.”

“So,” Tate said beside Reno. “Looks like you’re going to need somewhere to spend the night after all.”

Reno regarded him for a few seconds while his heart warred with his mind. He so badly wanted to say yes, but also, he had a feeling it would be a very bad idea.

“Or I could get my own room,” he countered.

“You heard the man.” Tate grinned that sexy grin of his again. “They’re pairing people up. Why not pair up with someone you know?”

Because I won’t be desperately fighting to keep my hands off anyone else.

But with his luck, he’d probably end up paired in a room with his overcompensating vampire date and be stuck listening to endless tales of hisincredible lifeall night.

“Breakfast is included,” Tate sweetened his offer in a sing-song voice when Reno hadn’t replied.

Reno studied him. He didn’t look like a scientist, but then, Reno didn’t look like a classical composer either. Not that either of them had to adhere to any specific appearance for their chosen fields. The warm-toned white Christmas lights hanging over the bar spun gold threads through Tate’s full head of fiery-red hair. It was riding that fine line of needing to be cut or left alone to grow out, and the perfect length to twine his fingers through. Would Tate’s hair feel as soft against his skin as it looked? His gaze dropped to Tate’s full lips and smirking mouth, bracketed by those damn enticing grooves in his cheeks.

This was trouble, and he knew it. He didn’t do one-nighters. Not even with Tate Boylan, who had planned to hook up tonight, or he wouldn’t have booked a cabin. Reno had no intention of having his world rocked by Tate, which he knew it would, only to be left behind once again. But it would only be one night, right? Surely, he could be an adult and keep his wits about him. He could sleep on a couch or even the floor, and in the morning, the roads would be cleared, and he could hightail it home before he made a fool of himself.

Reno huffed. “Fine, you win.”

If Reno had thought Tate’s smile was blinding before, the one he graced Reno with this time might as well have been the sun.

Tate stood and gestured for Reno to follow him.

Such a bad idea. . .

ChapterTwo

Thursday, December 22

Tate’s heartpounded a rapid staccato in his chest as Reno quietly followed him outside and along the low-lit snowy path toward the cabins. He’d been fine earlier, mostly. After his initial shock at seeing Reno, conversation with him had flowed comfortably. But now, his thoughts swirled around in his mind like a blizzard. Maybe he shouldn’t have invited Reno to spend the night. He’d been attracted to Reno when they were younger, even though he’d fought his feelings every step of the way—until that one incredible moment before university, anyway. Even though Reno had been awkward and clumsy, he’d always been so open and out and didn’t care what anyone thought about him. He had a courage Tate could only dream about at the time. And he was cute as hell.

But now, all grown up, Reno was the most gorgeous man he had ever laid eyes on.

“So. Why did your sister book you a cabin?” Reno finally spoke as Tate opened the door and ushered them inside. “Is she pimping you out now or something?”

Tate laughed a little louder than necessary, but the redirect was needed to bring him back to the present. He kicked off his boots and hung up his jacket. “No, definitely not. She wanted me to get over— Uh . . . decided I needed a break, and maybe a date, and didn’t want me to worry about driving home late.”

Reno raised his eyebrows but didn’t ask for more clarification on Tate’s poor correction. Tate was grateful. The last thing he wanted to talk about tonight was the crash and burn of his last relationship.

“Bad breakup.” He shrugged and led Reno into the main living area of the cabin. He didnotwant to elaborate on why Kaylie, a hopeless romantic, had really booked this night for him. He’d been moping around for too long after his boyfriend of three years had dumped him via text, without warning or explanation, and not only broke Tate’s heart but destroyed his confidence as well. Tate thought of the ring he’d bought the week before, which still sat in the back of his sock drawer. It had been six months, and though he no longer pined for his ex, the damage still lingered. Kaylie thought The Retreat’s speed-dating—which always had a huge turnout—and a night away might be just the thing he needed to give his lagging morale a boost and maybe get in some smexy rebounding done at the same time. Tate had been skeptical, but he was glad he’d agreed. If he hadn’t, he wouldn’t have run into Reno again.

“I’m sorry,” Reno said, shoving his hands into his jeans pockets as he looked around the small cabin.

It was a cozy log cabin with vaulted ceilings and one bedroom with an attached bathroom. The pinewood walls were framed by exposed beams that worked as ledges where they ran horizontally, upon which sat an eclectic collection of antique glassware and animal knickknacks. Old skis and vintage snowshoes hung on the open wall space between the beams and ceiling, and a few framed mountain and wildlife photos and paintings were placed throughout. The kitchenette appliances were retro, with a sky-blue stove and small refrigerator. The space had such an inviting, comfortable vibe that Tate had fallen in love with it the second he’d stepped foot inside.

“This is nice,” Reno commented.

He seemed shy. So unlike the Reno Tate remembered. An image of a gangly teenage version of Reno popped into his mind. Always wanting to hang out with Tate and Ricky, always looking up at Tate like he held all the answers to the universe.

I want him to look at me like that again.

Tate jerked at the errant thought and headed for the kitchenette. His heart thudded in his chest. He’d forgotten how attracted he’d been to Reno. Forgotten how, without words, Reno had always made him feel like he walked taller. That maybe hedidhave the answers to the universe. Part of him wished he did.

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