Working It Out Read Free Page B

of humor."
    "Or maybe destiny is giving us a second chance." Nobody from the office had been at that last party he and Luke had attended, from what Affton could remember, which was good--he'd lose his job for kicking a fellow employee's ass. Because he was going to do exactly that when he found out who.
    "Maybe. You don't have a partner?"
    Affton shook his head. "I've been pretty focused on my career." Once burned and twice shy certainly fit his feelings on the matter.
    "You've done well for yourself." Luke reached for him, fingers on his wrist.
    He turned his hand so their fingers could slide together. "It was easier to simply focus on work."
    "I'm sorry. I was...an idiot."
    He shook his head. "Not an idiot, baby. I just wish you'd trusted me enough to know they'd lied about my involvement. Or that you'd confronted me about it."
    "I couldn't. I was scared."
    He squeezed Luke's hand. "I'm so sorry, baby."
    "I'm okay now. I just... I'm careful." Luke took a deep breath. "Do you want another coffee?"
    "Sure." Anything to keep Luke around a little longer.
    "Me, too. My treat." Luke stood, the tiny body swimming in the too-huge clothes.
    He remembered what Luke's ass looked like in a tight pair of jeans and it made him lick his lips. He could remember Luke dancing, long hair loose and down, body swaying for him. He closed his eyes and took a breath, trying to control his libido, which was threatening to take off on him.
    Luke had been clear--the man wasn't ready for even the mention of that. They needed to learn about each other again. He thought about someone hurting Luke and his prick went back down right away.
    Luke was dear--a little nutty, a little eccentric, a lot hard to live with--but dear. And God knew, he'd loved the man hard, was still in love.
    The two cups were carefully carried over, Luke so...particular.
    "Thanks, baby. You remembered how I take it?"
    "Caramel latte half syrup, no foam."
    It warmed him, that Luke remembered. "Thanks."
    "You remembered mine, yesterday."
    He nodded. "I did. It says something, doesn't it?"
    Luke winked, sipped his coffee. "We're stuck in our ways?"
    That had him chuckling. "Glass half full, baby, we remember because we care." They had done this endlessly--one taking a side, the other playing devil's advocate.
    "Or we remember because we're lost in the past."
    They went back and forth for better than half an hour, finishing the pastry and their second coffees, laughing together. It almost felt like the last four years hadn't been, that they'd woken up together this morning and met at the coffee shop after work.
    It wasn't, but Affton had something he hadn't had before. Hope. For now, it was more than enough.

Chapter 3
     
    Affie called him every other day. Sometimes Affie asked him to have coffee, sometimes to have supper. Sometimes the calls were just about a file or business. It was dear and sweet and a little wonderful. Also, totally unlike the businessman he knew.
    Tonight he'd been invited to Affie's place to cook dinner together and watch movies. He'd said yes, but now that he was in the metro, heading over to a much swankier part of town, he was worried. His cell phone rang and the number was Affie's.
    He answered. "Hey. Hey there."
    "Hey, Luke. How's it going? You on your way?" Affie'd volunteered to pick him up, but he'd refused.
    "I am. My stop is two away."
    "You want me to meet you? Walk you here?"
    "Oh, that would..." Okay, stop it. He'd managed for eons on his own.
    "I'll head out now and meet you at the west end stairs."
    "Okay. Are you sure? Is it started raining yet?"
    "I'm sure and not yet, but I'll bring an umbrella." He could hear amusement in Affie's voice.
    "Okay. I have my raincoat on." He had on longjohns, jeans, a T-shirt, a button-up shirt, his hoodie, his raincoat. His armor.
    "See you in a few minutes then, baby."
    "Okay. Okay, thanks." The train stopped, then started again, and when it stopped again he slipped out.
    He went out and took the stairs and there