“So, I take you two are enjoying yourselves?” a deep voice said from beside me. I looked up at Will Stetson, chef to the stars. He was even better looking in person. His insanely good looks were one of the reasons he became such a hit. It was one thing to cook well, it was another to look like a Greek god while you’re doing it.
“Will, it’s so good to see you.” Robert got to his feet and hugged his friend, who seemed really happy to see him. “Thank you so much for getting us in tonight.” He sat down and took my hand. “Will, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Skylar Murphy. Sky, this is Will Stetson.”
Girlfriend. Robert just called me his girlfriend. I was positively giddy inside.
Will held out his hand, which I shook. “It’s so nice to meet you, Skylar. I can see why Robbie here is so smitten.”
I felt myself blush. “I bet you say that to all the women drooling over your crab risotto,” I joked.
Will laughed. “So, you like it? It’s one of the more popular dishes here.”
“Like it? I think I might have to marry it,” I replied.
“Thanks again, Will, for all of this,” Rob said.
Will waved away his thanks. “I’d do anything for you, man, you know that,” he said with sincerity. “When you messaged me and asked if I knew of any good places to take a special woman, of course, I wanted you to come here.” Will turned to me. “Mostly so I could see the lady who had Robbie turning himself inside out to impress her.”
“Well, he’s doing a good job.” I winked at Rob, who grinned. I looked back at Will. “Rob never said how the two of you met. There’s got to be a good story in there somewhere if you’re hooking him with this amazing table in your restaurant.”
I wasn’t imagining the look the two men shared. Things became strangely serious, and I swore Rob shook his head slightly. What was that about?
“We met many, many years ago. I was going through a rough time—” he glanced at Rob again. “And Robbie helped me get through it. He was the one that convinced me to go to culinary school.” He put a hand on Robert’s shoulder. “This man has no idea what an effect he has on those around him. How his kindness literally changes lives.” Will cleared his throat as if he were overcome with emotion.
I felt my chest tighten. Hearing someone say that about Rob, someone who had known him for so long, made me love him even more. I truly did love him. There was no denying it.
“He is pretty incredible,” I agreed, staring at my boyfriend. My god, I could barely believe that’s what he was.
My boyfriend.
My gorgeous, amazing, kind boyfriend.
“Stop it you two or my inflated ego will make it impossible to get through the door,” Rob teased, seeming slightly uncomfortable at the compliments.
“Okay you two, enjoy your dinner. It was wonderful to meet you, Skylar.” Will briefly touched my shoulder, squeezing it. “And Will, let’s catch up soon.” There was another loaded look between them that I couldn’t read and then he was gone.
“Why do I feel there’s a lot more to that story than Will said?” I asked after the waitress brought us four plates of entrees for us to sample.
Robert made a point of looking at his rare steak, taking his time cutting it. “There’s not much else to say.” He was being evasive. I knew Robert well enough now to know when he didn’t want to talk about something.
And that set off alarm bells again.
We had been here once already, many months ago. I thought we were past this.
Rob looked up at me, his face tender. “Sky, Will’s an old friend. There’s nothing else to know about it.” He slid his plate toward me. “You have to try this wagyu beef, it’s incredible.”
I wanted to press him further. I wanted to dig and dig until I found the ugly truth my doubt swore was hidden there. But then I internally berated myself for looking for something that wasn’t there.
Rob said there was nothing to know about his relationship with Will and I had to believe him. I couldn’t exist on second-guessing and mistrust. That’s not how healthy relationships were formed.
Rob had opened up so much to me. I had to believe him.
Because if he betrayed me, I knew I wouldn’t survive it.
**
“I’m so nervous,” I admitted in a whisper as we walked up the path to the residential facility where Robert’s brother Sam lived. It was a beautiful place that looked more like a country club than a residential home.
“Don’t be. Sam is so excited to meet you. He’s going to go all out for your visit.” Rob led me through the main building where he was greeted by name by almost everyone we encountered. He had a smile for everyone, and it was obvious he was well regarded around Lakewood House.
We walked through a glass mezzanine and turned down a quiet hallway. “This is a really nice place,” I said once we stopped outside a door at the far end.
“It’s the nicest independent living facility for people with Downs Syndrome in the state. I couldn’t stomach the thought of Sam living in some of the other places out there. Mom and I did our research before we decided on Lakewood. Sam deserves only the best.” Robert knocked on the door in a random pattern. He gave me a sideways smile. “It’s my special knock so Sam knows it’s me.”
“Gotcha.”
The door swung open, and Robert was immediately engulfed in a hug. “Robbie! You’re here!”
Robert hugged his brother with equal ferociousness. “I’m sorry it’s been so long, Sam. Things have been busy, but that’s no excuse.”
I stood back watching them feeling all sorts of emotions I wasn’t quite expecting. This was real and pure love, and it was almost
