Sultry Sunset Read Free Page B

I live with you,” he said tersely.
    “Does a 700-square-foot guesthouse on my property count as us living together?”
    “It does, yes.”
    “We just talked,” I assured him. “He has a lot to work out.”
    “And did you explain that town-hall meetings are mandatory for business owners?”
    “Miranda told him that he didn’t have to attend since she was going.”
    “Ah.”
    “I think it would be weird since she always sits with Coz and Kelly, and since Kelly and Britton slept together—”
    “Oh? When was this?”
    “Ten years or so ago.”
    “What?”
    “I’m just telling you what I know.”
    “So Kelly slept with Britton Lassiter ten years ago.”
    “Yes.”
    “Okay, so did Britton not know he was gay then?”
    “He was confused.”
    “I see.” Mike nodded. “And you know all this from your talk with Britton last night.”
    “Yes.”
    We were silent a moment.
    “So did you bail on me thinking you were going to get laid?”
    “I did, yes,” I replied honestly.
    He chuckled. “Well, I understand.”
    “You’re my best friend. You have to understand!” I said flatly. “It’s not a question.”
    “So,” he prodded.
    I groaned.
    “Was there screwing?”
    “No.”
    “No?”
    “Yeah. No.”
    “Why not?”
    I shot him a look that I hoped conveyed my annoyance.
    “Where’s the explanation? He’s your type.”
    “My what?”
    “Your type,” he repeated. “Tall, handsome, that’s your thing. He’s not as muscular as I normally see you drool over, but he’ll do.”
    “Drool over?”
    “It’s better than saying spring wood over.”
    I shook my head.
    “So what? How come you’re not making it with Britton Lassiter?”
    There was friendship, and there was oversharing. In the course of talking to the lawyer, I understood very quickly that Britton Lassiter wanted—needed—to bottom, and since I shared his desire, us being lovers was not workable.
    “Just—it’s not in the cards.”
    “Okay.” He shrugged. “Keep your secrets, but you need to tell me who the cute kid belongs to.”
    “My new next-door neighbor, the new fire chief’s daughter.”
    “Interesting.”
    “What is?”
    “She’s black.”
    This was new. “And? Why does this matter?”
    He shrugged. “No reason. I just never thought they’d hire a black man to do that job.”
    “What?” I glowered at him. “What did you just say?”
    “Oh, give me a break,” he said dismissively. “I don’t see color any more than you do.”
    “Then what’s with the whole ‘she’s black’ comment?”
    “All I’m saying is that the town council is made up of elderly uptight white people, so I wouldn’t have thought that a man who wasn’t would have a shot.”
    I shook my head at him.
    “What?”
    “Just because you’re from San Francisco does not give you the right to look down on us.”
    He snorted. “Oh yeah, right, like this town should be on a poster for cultural diversity.”
    I opened my mouth to argue.
    “And just because you have one of everything here does not make this a United Colors of Benetton ad.”
    I gave up. “You’re hopeless.”
    He was chuckling when Ivy joined us, looking the best she had all morning.
    “So are you hungry now? Because by now Benny and I are usually eating.”
    “Yes, please,” she said, beaming at me.
    “This is my assistant manager, Mike,” I said, making the introductions.
    It was funny to watch her turn and notice him and nearly swallow her tongue. Clearly, she was smitten. Not that I didn’t get it, the man was definitely worthy of drool.
    “Pleasure to meet you,” he said, standing and holding out his hand to her.
    She took it quickly, her gaze steady on him at first and then taking the tour, missing nothing from his wide shoulders to his muscular athletic build, to his warm copper - colored eyes. She whispered something under her breath as she released his hand, and we both watched him walk away.
    “Hey.”
    She turned slowly from looking after him,