“Oh my god, you like like him,” he announced and slapped a purple hand on Jared’s knee. “Tell me everything. He’s tall with dark hair, right? I know you like dark hair, and I bet his eyes are all shiny-bright, and he has a body to die for.”
Jared knew better than to ask him how Ethan had deduced all that, because Jared had a type, and it was tall, dark, and sexy, much as Nate was.
“I do like him.”
The cab pulled up outside their apartment and they slogged up the stairs to the fourth floor, and only when in the apartment, did Ethan curl up in the corner of the sofa and demand to know everything.
Jared told him what he felt he could, leaving out the fact that Luka was under the impression that he’d hired Jared, because it meant nothing. There was no way that Jared was staying away from Nate now, because after the drinks and the smiles and the laughing, whatever the barrier, Jared was intrigued and lusting after the gentle barman with sadness in his dark gaze, and bruises of exhaustion under his eyes. There was so much Jared wanted to know about Nate, what his hopes were for Luka’s future, what kind of dad he was, right down to what his favorite food was for when Jared took him on a date. So many times as they’d sat working Jared had fought the instinct to touch Nate, not to mention kiss him. It seemed to Jared that Nate needed to be kissed, and Jared very much wanted to be the person to do that.
“You’re really interested in this guy, aren’t you.” Ethan reached out and traced the purple handprint on Jared’s jeans.
Jared grinned and settled back in his own corner of the beaten-up sofa.
“I’m going to go see him again, at the bar, ask him and Luka out for dinner.”
“Him and Luka, eh?” Ethan gave him a knowing glance and Jared didn’t look away.
All he knew is that he was excited to ask them both.
After I get some more sleep.
Chapter Eight
“Have you got your toothbrush?” Nate called to Luka.
“Yes,” Luka shouted back.
“Clean underwear?”
“Dad,” he whined and appeared in the doorway to Nate’s bedroom. He shook his head. “Stop checking.”
“Do you have everything for school tomorrow?” he pressed, having already buzzed Pops into the building.
Luka pulled a face. “Yes.”
Nate chuckled. “Come here.” He wrapped Luka in a hug. “You promise to be good for your grandma and grandpa?”
“I’m always good.” Luka hugged Nate’s waist. “Nana Kay said we’re going to bake cookies.”
“Cookies sound amazing.” Nate rested his hand on Luka’s head. “Save me some?”
Luka leaned back and looked thoughtful. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?” Nate quirked an eyebrow. “You’re breaking my heart.”
“You said I shouldn’t lie. What if they’re really tasty and Pops eats them all?”
“Oh, Pops might eat them all?”
Luka grinned.
There was a knock at the door.
“That’ll be your grandpa. Go check your things one last time.”
“But Dad—”
“Do it,” Nate said. He twisted Luka so he faced the opposite direction and gently pushed his back. “For me,” he added.
“Fine.” Luka slumped forward and swung his arms as he stomped back to his room.
Nate went to the door.
“Evenin’,” Pops said, hunching in his thick coat. “Is Luka ready?”
“Come in. He won’t be long.”
Pops rubbed his hands together, stepped inside, and pushed the door shut behind him.
“Thanks for having him tonight.”
“We love him staying over, you know that.” Pops smiled.
“I know,” Nate said, he glanced over his shoulder at the open door to Luka’s room. “Luka, are you nearly ready?” Nate folded his arms, meeting Pops’ gaze. “Also, I wanted to thank you for the hours you’ve been doing at the bar. It’s really helped.”
It was only two- or three-hour shifts here and there, but it was time Nate could make use of elsewhere, which then meant more time to focus on Luka as well.
“Here.” Luka was in the hallway, wearing his coat, beanie, and gloves. His rucksack was over his shoulder and he held an overnight carryall.
“Are you staying for a night or a week?” Pops teased and took the bag. “Geez, what have you got in here?” He lurched forward. “I’m kidding,” he said when Luka frowned at him. “Come on. Your dad needs to get ready for work.”
“Will Jared be there?” Luka asked.
“Jared? Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know.” Luka shrugged. “You gave him my letter and he…” He sighed. “Whatever.”
Nate opened his mouth, stared at his son. “Why are you so interested in Jared?” It wasn’t strange for Luka to get attached to people, but to do so after a single encounter seemed sudden. “Luka?”
“He helped me was all. I thought he was nice.”
“Your dad thinks so, too.” Pops rested a hand on Nate’s shoulder. “Don’t you?”
Nate glanced at Pops, then back at Luka who had his head down and wore a hurt expression.
Crap. What was my tone just now?
“Of course, I do.” He relaxed his shoulders when Pops stepped back. It was as if his brain had stopped working where Jared was concerned. Despite his insistence the only important person he needed in his life was Luka, Nate’s thoughts had turned to Jared on numerous occasions since his visit to Rhea’s last week. Spending time with Jared had been comfortable and yes, he was nice, and maybe they could be friends.
Maybe. But they lived in different worlds. Jared was a university student, though a little late to it, he had aspirations, dreams, a future. What did Nate have to offer to a friendship, let alone anything else? He was an overworked single dad, a widower, someone scared to put himself out there for fear he, or worse, Luka, were to lose someone again.
He crouched in front of Luka and smiled. “When did you get so big?” He looked up at Luka. “If he
