stood and gave Victor another glance as he walked by. “And it saves us some money and time by combining the best friend with the wedding planner.” He winked at Daniel.
“Delightful, yes,” Victor said, smooth as silk. “That sounds charming. So sorry, Dan, for my oversight.”
It wasn’t entirely his fault—Ander’s snit and not sharing that information had contributed—but it bothered Daniel how shitty the older man had acted when thinking he was “just” the wedding planner.
“It’s Daniel. And not a problem” was all he offered in return, suddenly unsure where to put his eyes.
“Ander, I was hoping Owen and I could take you and your fiancé to dinner this evening.”
“Rafe is in the middle of an important project.” Ander was scrolling through his phone again. “Tomorrow, maybe?”
“Tomorrow would be brilliant. Naomi, dear, please make us reservations at Eleven Madison Park for four. Say eight?” Victor’s smile went back to full wattage.
“Splendid.” With a subtle glance, Ander caught Daniel’s eye, and a very long friendship enabled them to have an entire conversation without a word.
Did you want to come?
God no. Small plates of pretentious food is just plain wrong. Plus that guy’s a dick.
Okay, calm down.
Naomi stood and disappeared through the small opening and Owen snagged her seat, fortunately closer to Daniel. He looked apologetic but didn’t say anything, shooting little glances at Victor now and again.
“Well, I think that’s all for now,” Ander said. He swept out of his chair and gave Victor an appraising stare. Daniel knew this meant “you better be sending me a basket of flowers after that shit you pulled,” and he hoped Victor did as well, or that dinner reservation would be for naught.
“Absolutely a pleasure,” Victor said, shaking Ander’s hand. “Looking forward to dinner tomorrow night.”
“Mmm-hmmm.” Ander turned to Owen and offered his hand like he was expecting a knuckle kiss. “And you, we barely got a second to chat. I hope to rectify that soon.”
Daniel knew Ander and he knew that appraising look; Ander had dissected Owen down to the last molecule, judging every hair on his head. To make sure he was good enough for Daniel.
Which no one was. Ever.
“Yes, please. Perhaps you and I and Daniel can get lunch in the next day or so, start going over the schedule since we’re going to be moving so quickly.” Owen looked over at Daniel; then Ander did the same, two sets of eyeballs doing sparkly and shrewd things, and all Daniel wanted in life was a deodorant that worked for more than eight minutes.
“Daniel and I would love to.”
Ander’s smirk said you’re welcome , and Daniel’s responding head tilt said bless your cow.
Chapter Four
“GO AHEAD, tell me how wonderful a friend I am for giving you this opportunity,” Ander crowed as soon as the elevator doors closed, their earlier tiff already forgotten. He took the edge of his hideous scarf and ruffled Daniel’s face. “Go ahead—but you are so totally welcome.”
“What are you talking about?” Daniel said with a huff, folding his arms over his chest. “That Victor guy is rude and fake. Seriously? That gold chain could have anchored the Titanic. Is he a rapper or a swinger?”
“Victor is a television person, Daniel. This isn’t church camp. So what if he’s a dick? His reality shows are big hits. Sorority Summer Camp has like fifty million views. Besides, we’re talking about the delicious Owen Grainger.”
Daniel looked up at the mirrored ceiling to avoid Ander’s smug grin. “He’s very nice.”
“He’s very fuckable,” Ander said dryly. He buttoned up his jacket as the elevator hit the lobby. “And he was looking at you like he wanted to choke on your dick.”
The doors opened right on cue, and the middle-aged guy with the tray of lattes got to hear about the dick choking.
“Pardon.” Sweet as sugar, Ander whipped out his sunglasses as he
“Delightful, yes,” Victor said, smooth as silk. “That sounds charming. So sorry, Dan, for my oversight.”
It wasn’t entirely his fault—Ander’s snit and not sharing that information had contributed—but it bothered Daniel how shitty the older man had acted when thinking he was “just” the wedding planner.
“It’s Daniel. And not a problem” was all he offered in return, suddenly unsure where to put his eyes.
“Ander, I was hoping Owen and I could take you and your fiancé to dinner this evening.”
“Rafe is in the middle of an important project.” Ander was scrolling through his phone again. “Tomorrow, maybe?”
“Tomorrow would be brilliant. Naomi, dear, please make us reservations at Eleven Madison Park for four. Say eight?” Victor’s smile went back to full wattage.
“Splendid.” With a subtle glance, Ander caught Daniel’s eye, and a very long friendship enabled them to have an entire conversation without a word.
Did you want to come?
God no. Small plates of pretentious food is just plain wrong. Plus that guy’s a dick.
Okay, calm down.
Naomi stood and disappeared through the small opening and Owen snagged her seat, fortunately closer to Daniel. He looked apologetic but didn’t say anything, shooting little glances at Victor now and again.
“Well, I think that’s all for now,” Ander said. He swept out of his chair and gave Victor an appraising stare. Daniel knew this meant “you better be sending me a basket of flowers after that shit you pulled,” and he hoped Victor did as well, or that dinner reservation would be for naught.
“Absolutely a pleasure,” Victor said, shaking Ander’s hand. “Looking forward to dinner tomorrow night.”
“Mmm-hmmm.” Ander turned to Owen and offered his hand like he was expecting a knuckle kiss. “And you, we barely got a second to chat. I hope to rectify that soon.”
Daniel knew Ander and he knew that appraising look; Ander had dissected Owen down to the last molecule, judging every hair on his head. To make sure he was good enough for Daniel.
Which no one was. Ever.
“Yes, please. Perhaps you and I and Daniel can get lunch in the next day or so, start going over the schedule since we’re going to be moving so quickly.” Owen looked over at Daniel; then Ander did the same, two sets of eyeballs doing sparkly and shrewd things, and all Daniel wanted in life was a deodorant that worked for more than eight minutes.
“Daniel and I would love to.”
Ander’s smirk said you’re welcome , and Daniel’s responding head tilt said bless your cow.
Chapter Four
“GO AHEAD, tell me how wonderful a friend I am for giving you this opportunity,” Ander crowed as soon as the elevator doors closed, their earlier tiff already forgotten. He took the edge of his hideous scarf and ruffled Daniel’s face. “Go ahead—but you are so totally welcome.”
“What are you talking about?” Daniel said with a huff, folding his arms over his chest. “That Victor guy is rude and fake. Seriously? That gold chain could have anchored the Titanic. Is he a rapper or a swinger?”
“Victor is a television person, Daniel. This isn’t church camp. So what if he’s a dick? His reality shows are big hits. Sorority Summer Camp has like fifty million views. Besides, we’re talking about the delicious Owen Grainger.”
Daniel looked up at the mirrored ceiling to avoid Ander’s smug grin. “He’s very nice.”
“He’s very fuckable,” Ander said dryly. He buttoned up his jacket as the elevator hit the lobby. “And he was looking at you like he wanted to choke on your dick.”
The doors opened right on cue, and the middle-aged guy with the tray of lattes got to hear about the dick choking.
“Pardon.” Sweet as sugar, Ander whipped out his sunglasses as he
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