Page 41 of Daily Grind
Brian didn’t look away. “Rob, it’s my professional opinion that you’re an artist.” He picked up his fork. “So suck it up.”
How strange those were the words that brought mist to his eyes. He shook his head, but a smile pulled his lips wide. “Brian Keppler, if you keep saying things like that”—his breath hitched—“I’m going to fall in love with you.”
Brian blinked a few times—then took his own shuddering breath. “I’ll keep working on that, then.”
“Please.” More than anything, he wanted to teeter over that edge into the joy of love.
Chapter Eight
Brian’s head spun.Rob fall forhim? He was the one trying hard not to make this whole dating thing into more than it was.
They’d been in bed, what, once? Then again, he and Anita had pretty much fallen into bed on the first date. Granted, they also hadn’t lasted.
But that relationship had been serious and sexy right from the get-go.
He stole a piece of lamb kebab off Rob’s plate. “When we’re done here, we can take a better look at all these photos.” He wanted to check out his own and take a better look at Rob’s.
Photography was something he could encourage, a way he could give back to Rob for the joy he’d brought into Brian’s life. The shit with the shop ate at him hard. Rob was a bright spot in his otherwise too-tense life.
Rob glanced out the window. “Seems a waste to stay inside on such a nice day, though.”
That was true. “You said you bike?”
Rob’s smile could almost be called lustful. “I do.” He snagged a piece of Brian’s chicken. “Any trails you want to try?”
“Try?” Brian leaned back in his chair. “I’ve biked themall.”
That got him an eyeroll. “Next thing you’ll tell me is that you’re part of Bike Pittsburgh.”
He had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. Must not have kept the expression off his face, though.
“Fucking hell,” Rob muttered.
“Well, I’m a member, but a lot less active because of the shop.” He leaned forward. “Biking’s a passion.”
Silence for a while. Rob seemed to be chewing on a lot more than just the lunch. He took a sip of water, then spoke. “You gave up quite a bit for your shop.”
A stab of pain. “Yeah.” Free time. Part of his sanity. Relationships. Money. “But it’s been worth it.”
Rob nodded, but without that sense of agreement. “So, where would you recommend for an afternoon ride?”
Brian mused. Rob lived in Bloomfield. He was also the one driving and they had camera equipment to deal with. “Why don’t you drop me off at my apartment and I’ll bike to your house. From there, we can take the Heritage Trail. If you want, we can bike to Homestead or for a challenge, we could ride over and catch the Montour Run Trail.
The light in Rob’s smile sent little shivers down into Brian’s core.
“I’m game.” Rob looked down as his plate. “Though if we’re going to bike, I should stop stuffing my gullet.”
“Same here.” Brian flagged down the waiter and asked for to-go containers and the check.
When those came, Rob lifted the folder with the bill before Brian could get his fingers near it. “Hey!”
“My treat.” His voice was firm, as was the gaze he leveled at Brian.
He’d also paid for their entry into the Carrie Furnaces site. “I pick up dinner.”
Rob’s expression didn’t waver.
“I’m serious.”
