Page 57 of The Husband Game

“Sure,” he said, taking a deep breath and trying to push away the memories he’d rather forget completely.

That wasn’t his life anymore.

He was no longer living under his mother’s controlling thumb.

He had a life of his own now.

* * *

Charlie had been a little quiet on the drive there but before Dustin could ask if he was okay, he settled a hand on Dustin’s arm. “Should I expect paparazzi?”

Dustin shook his head. “No. Fan shots are definitely possible though, so keep that in mind.”

“Got it.” Charlie flipped down the visor and used the mirror to touch up his lip gloss. “Okay, now I’m ready.”

Dustin must have been imagining Charlie’s dip in mood because he was as bright and cheerful as the summer weather as they strolled down Wellington Street to the restaurant. He hooked his arm through Dustin’s and listened attentively as Dustin told him about the area, asking questions and commenting on the architecture.

After a brief word with the maître d’ at the bistro and a little money subtly exchanging hands, they were shown to a spot on the patio in front of the restaurant.

Dustin took a seat in a chair he always felt a little too big for.

After the waiter left with their drink orders, Charlie looked around and exclaimed with delight, “Oh, this is lovely, Dustin. Very Parisian. Very chic.”

“Have you spent much time in Paris?” Dustin asked with a smile.

“Some.” Charlie hummed thoughtfully. “Numerous international figure skating competitions are held in France. Whenever I flew in and out of Charles De Gaulle airport, I tried to arrange a few free days before or after to spend in Paris. You?”

“Yes. I went a few years ago during the off-season. I’ve traveled in Europe quite a bit actually.” He shrugged. “It’s nice. I can be a lot more anonymous there. I don’t have to worry as much about getting photographed. At least so far, nothing I’ve done there has made it on JockGossip anyway.”

“Did I keep you from that this year?” Charlie asked.

Dustin chuckled. “Yeah, I was supposed to take a short trip to Italy in August. But this has been worth it.”

Charlie propped his chin on his hand and fluttered his lashes. “You say the sweetest things.”

Dustin wondered what Charlie would say if he knew Dustin meant every word of it.

The waiter arrived with a glass of red wine for Dustin and a flute of bubbly Prosecco for Charlie.

Charlie reached for his glass and Dustin held up his. “I think we should have a toast.”

He arched an eyebrow. “To?”

“To us, of course.”

Charlie grinned and held up his glass. “Of course. To us.”

“To us,” Dustin echoed, smiling.

He loved the way Charlie’s wide blue eyes sparkled when he was happy. If Dustin had anything to say about it, he’d do a lot more smiling in the near future.

They made small talk about Europe as they enjoyed their appetizer of olives marinated in citrus and fennel.

“I’m about to start training hard and the season will get really busy so Europe is off the table, but remind me to take you to Montreal or Quebec City some time,” Dustin said. “We could do a weekend away, maybe.”

His foot bumped Charlie’s under the table and he almost apologized and pulled away when he realized he didn’t need to. Instead, he left it there, allowing his knee to slide between Charlie’s.

Charlie’s eyes widened a little but he didn’t pull away.

---