Page 40 of The Finding Series: Vol. 2

He felt Roman chuckle against him and he knew it was because he was remembering using the same words to tell Hunter about wanting him to kiss him that day in the woods behind Luke and Gray’s cabin.

“Welcome home, Roman,” Hunter whispered.

Roman’s grip on him tightened just the tiniest bit as he said, “God, I like the way that sounds.”

* * *

Roman could tell Hunter was nervous as they entered the restaurant but he didn’t reach out to take his hand like he wanted because he suspected that would just make him more tense. It wasn’t something Roman had noticed until after they’d landed at the airport in Monterey and picked up their rental car. Although Hunter had been excited and interested as they’d explored Fisherman’s Wharf, he’d seemed slightly off too but Roman hadn’t been able to put his finger on what it was that wasn’t quite right. At first he’d attributed Hunter’s behavior as a response to what he knew was an extremely nerve-wracking first session with his new therapist. But as the day went on, Roman had finally started to realize what the problem was as Hunter would continuously watch the people around them. And once he figured it out, he had no idea how to deal with it.

“Mr. Blackwell, welcome back.”

“Alphonse,” Roman said with a nod as the well-dressed older man hurried past the hostess stand and greeted him, hand extended.

The restaurant was as busy as it always was but Roman wasn’t surprised when Alphonse said, “Just two in your party tonight, Mr. Blackwell?” and then at Roman’s nod, led them to a quiet booth in the far corner of the dimly lit space. The intimate table was beautifully set with fine white linen table cloths, expensive gold-trimmed dinnerware and gleaming silver cutlery. Roman didn’t miss Hunter’s look of concern as he took in the multitude of stem and silverware.

“I have a splendid wine for you tonight. A 1982 Château Lafite Rothschild Pauillac,” Alphonse offered.

Roman nodded. “Alphonse, this is a colleague of mine, Mr. Greene. Hunter, this is Alphonse Faroche, the owner.”

Alphonse did a little bow and said, “It is a pleasure, Mr. Greene.”

As soon as Alphonse left to get the wine, Hunter shifted nervously. “Why did you tell him I was a colleague?”

Roman didn’t miss the hurt tone in Hunter’s voice and he nearly reached out to cover Hunter’s hand with his but drew back at the last second. Hunter seemed to notice the gesture and actually flinched.

“Hunter, look at me,” Roman said softly so they wouldn’t be overheard.

Hunter lifted his gaze from where he’d been rubbing his finger against the tablecloth.

“I told him you were my colleague because I thought you might be more comfortable with him thinking this was a business meeting rather than a date.”

Hunter shook his head slowly. “I’m sorry, Roman. I kept telling myself that we weren’t doing anything wrong by being in public together but all I could think was what would happen if people saw me touching you or looking at you a certain way.”

“It’s okay-”

“No, it’s not,” Hunter said firmly. “Today was so much fun but it felt like something was missing…it was like I wasn’t really sharing it with you because I couldn’t be with you the way I wanted.”

“Hunter, these things take time…”

“No,” Hunter said again. “I don’t want to hide how I feel when I’m with you. Even if being gay was a choice, I’d still want to be with you – I’d want people to know how much I love you.”

“What?” Roman interjected.

But Hunter continued on as if he hadn’t spoken. “I mean, who cares, right? So what if they don’t approve of us being together – they can just all go to hell,” Hunter said as he got more worked up.

“Here we are,” Alphonse said as he reappeared with the bottle of wine.

“Alphonse,” Hunter said loudly enough that there was no doubt the people at neighboring tables would hear him. “Roman’s not my colleague. He’s my boyfriend. We’re gay,” he added for good measure. “And if you have a problem with that, then we’ll take our business elsewhere.”

Alphonse looked back and forth in confusion between Hunter and Roman and Roman just shook his head as he bit back his amusement.

“Oh my, these glasses will not do,” Alphonse stammered as he suddenly snatched the two wineglasses off the table and hurried off, unopened wine bottle still in hand.

“Say it again,” Roman whispered as he shifted around the slight curve of the booth.

“I’m gay,” Hunter said softly as he too shifted until their legs were touching beneath the table.

“Hunter,” Roman grumbled.

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