Nate frowned. “Is that like you asking to see my etchings? Because I’m not interested in anything right now that isn’t just talking. I have too much to think about, I’m too tired, and… I’m rambling aren’t I?”
Jared couldn’t take his eyes off Nate, his gaze moving to the lush mouth, then back up from the smile to Nate’s wry expression. Something tugged inside him, a need to hug Nate and tell him it was okay, and that he had enough on his plate to consider anything other than friendship. Between studying and work, he was tired as well—just not as tired as Nate.
“Do you even have etchings?” he asked after a short moment, and it was enough to raise a smile.
“No, but I have percentages.”
“I can help.” Jared veered away from teasing and flirting to just being one of the good guys. Nate glanced at the office door, and Jared could see the concern in his eyes. Given the size of this place it was probably a very small office. “You want to bring it out here and I can look?”
Nate stared at him, and Jared could see all the questions in his expression and held his breath. What he’d just done was confirm that he too was okay with friends, and that he was here to help. After a pause, Nate nodded. “Yeah.”
He went into his office then came back out bearing a notebook, a folder, and a calculator, then set up on the table.
“Welcome to my world,” Nate murmured as he sat, then opened the book and shuffled it Jared’s way.
Jared held his hand out for the pen, pulled over the calculator, and glanced at the figures.
“Okay then, let’s do this.” Jared remained upbeat, but Nate frowned and stared at the paper as if it was going to bite him. As Jared explained the calculation, and added wording about expectation versus reality, the frown cleared, and by the end of it Nate was still confused, but it appeared as if some of the weight had been lifted.
“Thank you,” he said with a half yawn, and then rested back in the chair. “I mean it.”
Jared fought the urge to pat his hand, or casually touch his arm. They’d set boundaries, and now they just had to stick to them.
Easy. Right?
Chapter Six
“Can I get you another drink? As thanks?” Nate closed the folder, rubbing his palms over the red plastic cover.
“There’s no need.” Jared rested his head in his hand and smiled. “Just happy I could help.”
He smiles so easily, so warmly.
“You did,” Nate said.
Jared had gotten a little ahead of himself in places, diving too deep into the numbers and stripping the calculations back, trying to explain the why and theory behind them. Nate was more learn-a-method-and-repeat, but with different numbers, when it came to anything math-related.
Jared chuckled. “Good.” He ran his fingers up and down his empty glass, the motion capturing Nate’s attention.
Jared was a good-looking guy, gorgeous eyes, pouty lips, flirty body language, and a killer smile that would make anyone melt.
What am I even thinking? Nate felt hot suddenly. I don’t have time to melt. Too much to do. And besides, if it was just about sex, he was able to find a fix for that. He was sure Michael, or somebody else could help him to satisfy those needs.
He stared at Jared. What drew him to Jared wasn’t the same as to someone like Michael. Being around Jared was different. It was as if he was being seen, all of him, not just physical desire, and against his better judgement he’d taken an interest in Jared in return. Jared was giving him something he’d been missing, and it was comfortable, but at the same time, kind of scary.
How much of me does he actually see? The father, the bar owner, the tired, scared, lonely man?
Nate cleared his throat and pointed to Jared’s glass. “Are you sure I can’t get you another? If it makes you feel better, I’ll even let you pay for it.”
Jared met his eyes. “Thanks, but I should head out. I have an assignment or two due, as well as some work stuff.” He pushed his glass away and sat back, readying himself to leave his seat.
“Sounds tough,” Nate said.
“Not as tough as running this place, I’m sure.” He got to his feet, and Nate did the same. “You’ll say hi to Luka for me, won’t you? He seems like a good kid.”
“He is, usually, and of course I will.” Nate gathered his things. He felt there was something he was forgetting. “Oh, that’s right. I have something for you.”
Jared shook his head. “Honestly, I don’t want anything.”
“This you have to take. Just wait here for a moment.” He pointed at the table. “Sit. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.” Jared was confused but obediently sat back down.
“Two minutes.” Nate didn’t explain further and headed to the office. He sighed as he glanced around the small space. The once ordered shelves had fallen into disarray over the years, their guardian no longer around to keep them in check.
“Where is it,” he mumbled to himself. He had brought to work the letters Luka had written. He had already handed over the one to Gregg, who had briefly glanced at it and grinned before crumpling it up and tucking it into the back pocket of his pants. The letter for Jared, Nate had left on his desk, which was covered in disheveled piles of folders and paperwork.
Great. He moved a few things, then checked the desk drawer, relieved to find the folded letter on top of a pile of pens and post-its.
He picked up the piece of paper, checked the letter’s contents. Luka would be happy to know he was able to deliver it. He took a deep breath then returned to Jared.
“Here,” he said and held out the note.
Jared took it from him. “This is…?”
“You’ll see.” He slid back in the seat facing Jared.
Jared chuckled. “From Luka.
