“Amos, it’s okay, really. I didn’t expect anything and appreciated that you reached out, even though we hadn’t talked in years. Don’t give it another thought. Truly.”
Even though we hadn’t kept in touch, I could still read him like an open book and knew his words were genuine.
After sending him a grateful smile, I leaned in and let my eyebrows bounce suggestively as I turned the subject to something more fun. “Have you found anyone in this utopia of queer hotties?”
Bo snorted. “Hardly. I’m far too busy to date. I’ve got enough work to keep me busy twenty-four seven. Plus, I know pretty much all the eligible bachelors already and I’ll pass.”
I nodded in commiseration. “My job was the same. Makes it hard to maintain a relationship, that’s for sure.” I’d reached the point in my dating life where I was invited to work dinners or weddings for my conversational skills and potential hookups, but not much more.
Before I could try and pull more details from Bo about his dating life, the coffee shop’s front door opened, ushering in a gust of chilly fall air. Mickey stepped in looking like the cover for a Mister Vermont calendar, and I caught a groan before it escaped and led Bo to ask questions I had no interest in answering. Seriously, no man had the right to look that tantalizing in a buffalo plaid flannel and well-worn jeans.
While Bo told me about a guy he dated who broke up with him via an email to Bo’swork email, claiming it was the best way to get his attention, my own attention kept wandering over Bo’s shoulder to Mickey, who was chatting with Caspian.
“Is that Mickey’s voice?” Bo shifted in his chair to look toward the counter. “Mickey, hey! Join us when you’re done.”
Mickey lifted his hand in greeting and smiled easily at Bo, but when his attention turned to me, his smile faltered ever so slightly. More hesitant than anything. How could I blame him? The circumstances were awkward as hell. We weren’t friends or even acquaintances, yet I knew how his bulge filled my hand. We’d likely been spoon-fed the same competitive bullshit from everyone in town our entire lives, so part of me knew I should maintain a professional distance while planning the community dinner. The other part of me—the one I feared might win—couldn’t wait to spend more time together, even if it was to put together a menu.
Growing up, I barely knew anything about Mickey, beyond some basics I learned by simply being in the same town. Patrons in Sparky’s often gossiped about Red’s and the Flynns. I never would’ve expected him to be an adorable weirdo with an opening line about pralines and dick ice cream who made cryptozoology sexy and kissed in a way that made my toes curl.
Mickey tilted his head back and laughed at something Caspian said, and I had to admit, he had grown up well. He’d been cute back in school, and I’d always been fond of his shoulder-length wavy hair. I wouldn’t have expected the burr buzz cut to work so well for him, but it did. His hair looked soft—like it would tickle the palm of my hand.
“Look, this is awkward, but Mickey and I have become close friends. I hope that won’t be an issue.”
My head snapped toward Bo at the worry in his voice.
“Not at all. You’ll never find another Amos, but I suppose Mickey isn’t so bad.” I winked. “Though it breaks my heart to think of you eating at Red’s instead of Sparky’s.” I grinned to soften my words. Okay, maybe I was ateensybit jealous, but I was mostly glad they’d become friends. I liked the idea of them finding each other, though I couldn’t help but hope there wasn’t more to it.
Bo laughed. “No one but your mom makes crispy bacon exactly as I like it. I still go in there for brunch once or twice a month.” He leaned close and lowered his voice to an almost whisper. “I’m one of the few people in town who can get away with eating at both diners. I’m Switzerland with a happy belly.”
Mickey reached the table and hesitated, glancing at me before pulling out the chair across from me next to Bo.
“Good to see you, Mickey,” I said, perfectly pleasant and not at all flirty.
“Uh, yeah, you too, Amos.”
My name came out awkwardly, like he was trying to pronounce the most complicated Latin phrase. It was adorable. It certainly made me feel better that I wasn’t the only one struggling to play it cool.
“Are you working today?” Bo asked breezily, seemingly oblivious to the tension around him.
“Day off. Stopped for coffee between, um, meetings.” Mickey darted a glance at Bo.
“Ah. Yeah.” Bo shot a quick look at me.
What didn’t they want to say in front of me?
“You stopped in at the perfect time. Amos and I were just catching up since I wasn’t able to stick around after our festival meeting the other day. Sorry about springing that on you both. I thought the best offense was surprising everyone.”
“So no one had a chance to say that forcing Red’s and Sparky’s to team up would ruin the festival because we wouldn’t be able to pull it off?” Mickey’s lips twisted into a wry smile.
Bo rubbed the back of his neck. “You know me too well.” He sent me a sheepish smile. “Have you two found time to talk about the menu yet?”
Mickey aimed a wide-eyed stare at me.
“Not yet, but we’re on it,” I said with a confidence I didn’t feel.
SIX
MICKEY
