Page 27 of The Husband Game

Dustin watched skating performances on YouTube and clicked through Charlie’s personal Instagram and the one for the design firm he worked for. Dustin didn’t care much about the design shots but he enjoyed the videos of Charlie talking about decorating tips.

The Charlie in those videos was bright and animated. Funny.

He was sharp and witty and it was no surprise he had far, far more views than his fellow designers.

Dustin felt a pang of guilt at asking Charlie to give up a career when he was clearly so talented.

If he had trouble finding a position in Toronto, maybe Dustin could use his connections to get him an in at a new company?

He had to know someone in Toronto who could pull some strings.

He’d love to think that maybe with enough hard work, Charlie might fall for him. But even if he didn’t, Dustin wanted their time together to be good for Charlie.

Dustin glanced over to see Charlie had fallen asleep. He’d reclined his seat and twisted to curl up on his side, clutching the pillow the flight attendant had offered him earlier.

Dustin reached for a blanket and draped it over Charlie’s body, gently tucking it around him.

Jamie had warned him to take care of Charlie, but that wasn’t the problem.

Dustin wanted nothing more than to look out for his new husband.

He just wasn’t sure if Charlie would let him.

CHAPTER SEVEN

A hired car took them from O’Hare airport to Charlie and Taylor’s small apartment in Evanston, Illinois.

Charlie felt ashamed of the cramped, far from luxurious place. It must look pathetic through Dustin’s eyes, though he didn’t comment on it.

Charlie had enough time to pack a few bags and boxes with the belongings he wanted to take to Toronto, then grab his passport and critical paperwork before they headed back to the airport.

Their flight to Toronto was short, and flying on a private plane meant they got through customs very quickly, but it was still the wee hours of the morning when another hired car took them from Pearson International Airport to Dustin’s home on the outskirts of the city.

When they arrived, the outside of Dustin’s house made Charlie skeptical of what he’d find inside. It reminded him of some strange, contemporary take on mid-century modern design.

The interior took his breath away.

And not in a good way.

It was definitely a strange contemporary remodel of what had originally been a mid-century modern design.

Great bones in a hideous outfit.

“Good lord,” Charlie muttered when he stepped inside. “You weren’t kidding when you said you needed some help with your place.”

Dustin gave him a look. “What’s wrong with it?”

“It’s completely soulless.” Glossy white tiles laid in a weird pattern filled the open entryway.

“Can we save its soul in the morning?” Dustin asked with a groan. “I’m exhausted.”

“Fine. Show me to my bedroom.”

Dustin had piled their suitcases on the far side of the entryway. Charlie reached for the one with all of his necessities in it. He’d deal with the others in the morning.

But Dustin beat him to it, grabbing both their bags, then walking up the stairs.

One flight led up, the other down. The stairs were made from sleek maple planks with open risers and clear glass banisters, topped by another strip of maple for the handrail. The openness was nice, the tone of wood bringing some life to the otherwise stark room.

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