Page 102 of Daily Grind
I know how to run my shop.
Yes, he did. Something wasn’t working, though. He stared at both the phone and his computer. He should look into the business of running a coffee shop. If nothing else, he could figure out how to help more subtly.
In the meantime… He snatched up his phone and leaned back in his desk chair.
Out of my meeting. Of course I want to spend the day with you!
No answer right away. Probably customers. Rob set the phone down, woke his computer, and dug into his e-mail.
A few minutes later his buzzing phone startled him.
Great! I work Friday night. Pick me up?
Always.He’d expected that. Planned for it.Dinner, too?
The way I haven’t been eating? Yes, please.
That he’d noticed. In the past few weeks, Brian had lost weight. Rob saw it and felt it when he held Brian in his arms. It wasn’t bad—but it wasn’t good, either.
We’ll go anywhere you want.
Even Burgatory??
He’d even brave the Waterfront on the Friday night before a holiday weekend.That counts as anywhere, yes? I’ll swing by at 8:30.
I can’t fucking wait. I need a break from here.
Now that was good to hear.Can’t wait either.
Ooof. After school rush. Talk later!
Rob glanced at the clock. Just after three. That made sense. Well, he merely had to make it through the rest of today, Thursday, and Friday.
If he could give Brian one day of happiness, that would be worth all the pain.
Chapter Nineteen
Saturday morning,Rob woke to sunshine and the ruckus of grackles perched in the tree next to his house. He blinked at Brian sleeping next to him.
So last nighthadn’tbeen a dream. Sure felt like one.
He’d picked Brian up and driven him to Burgatory as promised. They’d feasted on outrageously good hamburgers, mounds of fries, and milkshakes—Brian’s laced with rum.
Seeing Brian smile and laugh had been like a fucking drug—turned him inside out with happiness. They’d spent the evening discussing photography, biking, hiking, and art. Plans for the future. No mention of workanywhere. By the time they’d gotten home, they’d fallen into bed. A little fooling around, but they’d both been so exhausted that sleep came quickly. Brian was running on nothing, and after Rob’s long week, he needed the rest, too.
Waking next to Brian was heaven. He’d missed his warm presence and amazing smile in his life so damn much. Even now, his soul ached. How long until the next time he woke up next to Brian? These days were so rare. Life could be perilously short. All thosewe shoulds could becomewhy didn’t wes so fast.
He pushed that aside. Brian was here, now and that’s what mattered.
Rob took a long breath and listened to the cacophony of the birds. No idea what the time was, but he’d let Brian sleep himself out. After that, the day could be whatever Brian wished for. He closed his eyes, but as much as he wanted to drift back into slumber, his body had other needs.
Well, damn.
Careful not to disturb Brian—though the man slept like the dead—he flipped over and grabbed his watch. Seven-fifteen.
Way too early to wake Brian.
Rob slipped out of the bed and headed for the bathroom to take care of the reasons he couldn’t fall back to sleep. When he emerged, Brian stretched his limbs out and blinked at him through mostly lidded eyes. “Is it morning?
