Page 17 of Survival Game
“Getting to see you again.” The smile in Eric’s voice made those butterflies in Kyle’s stomach speed up. “Our working lives are definitely not conducive to courting someone.”
He swallowed. “Courting someone?”
He almost felt Eric’s shrug. “Well, yeah,” he replied. “Trying to at least.” He laughed softly and Kyle’s insides turned to mush.
God, that man sounds sexy. His laugh is like honey poured over a Belgian waffle. Sweet and decadent.
“I have the usual time off, Sunday and Monday. When do you get back from your family wedding?”
“I plan on leaving Sunday morning. My mum won’t let me leave without feeding me a full English before I go. Dad will probably want to shoot the breeze about the latest developments in apple farming.”
“Your folks have a farm?” Kyle was enchanted. He’d always lived in cities, even as a kid, and often yearned for a bit of outdoor space and greenery, complete with the requisite baby pig, lamb and, possibly, even a dog.
Eric chuckled. “Yeah, my dad grows apples and makes cider for some of the local markets. It’s not a huge place, but it was a great place to grow up in.” His tone grew fond. “Shelley—my sister who’s getting married tomorrow—and I used to be run around the orchards, helping my dad pick the fruit. We’d eat a lot of it, and give ourselves tummy aches. Good times.”
“Sounds great,” Kyle said wistfully. “I’ve never been on a farm before.”
“Never?” Eric said in surprise. “We can’t have that. I’ll have to take you down to see it one day. Meet the folks.”
There was a long pause then Eric spoke again, sounding a little uncomfortable. “I mean, you know, as a friend. Not like to introduce you to the parents and declare undying love. Crap, I’m really digging myself a hole here, aren’t I?”
Kyle laughed. “I get it. Don’t worry. I’m not expecting a ring or anything. Visiting your farm would be cool.”
“Good.” Eric’s relief was palpable. “Anyway, back to the whole date thing. I’m pretty sure I can wangle Monday off somehow. I have a colleague who owes me a favour. Perhaps we can meet for dinner somewhere, maybe that restaurant called Galileo’s in Soho? Ryan says it’s well worth a visit. Apparently, a lot of people he knows eat there and rave about it.”
Kyle was interrupted from replying as Lucinda walked in. She held up his coffee and he nodded his thanks. She sat down in her spot and the slurping noises commenced. He shook his head at her in irritation. Her answer was to slurp louder.
Glaring at his friend, he realised he hadn’t replied yet. “Yes, that sounds great. Are you sure it’s open? A lot of restaurants close on Mondays.”
“It’s open,” Eric assured him. “They’re open all week round, I think. Shall we say seven-thirty?”
“Suits me fine,” Kyle confirmed.
“Okay, see you Monday. I look forward to it.” Eric rang off.
“You have a date then?” Lucinda asked around a mouthful of what looked like chocolate chip cookie. She nudged the white box over to him, indicating his doughnut inside. He sighed as he picked it up. “Yes. Sort of. Dinner at Galileo’s.”
Lucinda’s eyes lit up. “Ooh, I’ve heard about that place. Didn’t it just win a Glass Clove Award for the most promising venue of the year?”
“I have no idea. I don’t read the gossip and social magazines like you do.” He bit into his doughnut and gave a blissful moan. “God, this tastes good. Although it’s going straight to my damn hips.”
His friend stuck her middle finger up. “What damned hips? You’re all lean and muscled. It’s my hips you should be worrying about. I might have to buy two seats to fly back to the U.S. at the rate I’m eating these things.” She gestured to her cookie. “I think I might be addicted to these peanut butter choc chip ones.”
Kyle knew the feeling. If he didn’t watch out, he may be in danger of getting addicted to the sexy stud muffin called Eric Kirby.
Saturday night at the club, Kyle was run off his feet. He’d been persuasive enough to coerce Lucinda into helping him. She’d assisted Jim getting the bar organised, and checked out the restrooms. She had refused to step foot in the hedonistic bathroom known as Deep Purple— Kyle had to face that one himself. Now, from the looks of it, she was entertaining the patrons. She was up on stage with Molly Luscious, one of the regular drag queen acts. Lucinda was dressed up as Charlie Chaplin, hat and cane at the ready, and she and Molly were no doubt trading insults and bitchiness.
He turned to fish out Ryan’s secret whisky stash in his bottom desk drawer, opened it up and poured a shot, which Kyle tossed back like a boss.
Wow, that tastes surprisingly good. So smooth.
He took another swig then set the glass down on the desk.
Another two hours to go and he’d be on his way home. Lucinda was staying with him tonight as she planned on having brunch nearby with some friends in the morning. He’d be glad of her company. And he still had his dinner date with Eric to look forward to.
Kyle smiled dreamily. Eric was something else. He was warm and funny, and when he was around, Kyle felt safe. Cherished. It had been a long time since anyone had made him feel that way.
Still daydreaming about the man in his life, he turned and walked over to his office door, intending to walk down and check on how things were going with Rufus and Greg. As he opened the door, he was met with a wall of grey button-down shirt and black jeans. The man reeked of expensive bourbon. He stood there, hand held up as if to knock on his door. His face was flushed, looking truly pissed off. Kyle could feel the waves of anger coming off him.
