Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 66022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
“Another?” Will held up the bottle.
“Sure, what the hell?”
Will poured another several ounces into his glass. Jack ate two more cannoli and drank his coffee, which, he had to grudgingly admit, was actually quite a bit better than the stuff he made at home.
Will wasn’t eating. He’d had one bite of his pastry and left it sitting on his dessert plate. His coffee mug was still nearly full. Instead he focused on his brandy, cupping the balloon glass in his hands as if using it to warm them. He looked anxious.
“You okay?” Jack asked.
“Me? Yeah. What do you mean? I’m fine.”
Jack smiled, feeling his grin spread slow and easy over his face. He felt good. He knew he was drunk. He knew his defenses were down. He knew he should probably be leaving, but damn it, where the hell did he have to go? Back home to his empty house to watch TV or read or do the damn crossword puzzle out of the paper like some old man waiting to die?
He liked Will. He liked the way Will seemed genuinely interested in the renovations, involved at each step. He’d enjoyed the evening playing pool and eating pizza. Boldly he stared at Will, who was looking down into his brandy glass. He liked the way Will’s lips seemed to curve into a kind of Cupid’s bow. He had a strong chin and jaw and straight brows over those very green eyes. He really did look like Luke. Or the Luke of days gone by. The Luke Jack remembered. The one who had touched his thigh, his face so earnest as he leaned forward, willing Jack not to pull away as their lips met…
“Jack? You okay?”
“What?” Jack jerked himself back to the present, focusing woozily on Will. “Yeah. Sorry. I think I had more to drink than I realized.”
“Let’s go sit on the sofa, why don’t we? Unless you want more cannoli?” There were still two of the sweet, rich pastries on the plate.
Jack shook his head. “If I eat another one, I’ll explode.”
Will stood, taking his half-full brandy snifter with him. “A refresher?” he asked, pointing toward Jack’s empty glass.
“No, no. I’ve had more than enough,” Jack assured him. “I’ll have a little more coffee though.” He poured himself a cup and added some cream before following Will into the next room. He would finish the cup and hopefully sober up as a result.
Jack sat on the couch as Will put some music on the sound system. Will sat on the couch as well, though not near. Jack had half-expected Will to sit right next to him, to put his arm around him, to pull him close…
He realized with a sudden jolt he’d only assumed Will was gay. He’d made a stereotypical assumption, based on Will’s appearance, his interest in the kitchen, his attention to artistic detail, the lack of a woman in the picture. What if he was totally off base? What if Will was as straight as he was?
How did one bring up something like that? Hint around about a girlfriend or ex-wife? Ask if he’d marched in the pride parade that year?
“You’re grinning, Jack, but I don’t know why,” Will said with an answering half-smile.
Jack sat up and took a gulp of his coffee. “Listen, Will. I’m not used to all the brandy. That’s my excuse.” He offered a lopsided grin and barreled on. “I’m going to ask you straight out because I don’t know how else to do it. Are you gay?”
Will, who had been sipping his brandy, sputtered into the glass. “What?”
Jack felt his face heat. God, he was a jerk. “I’m sorry. That was so out of line. It’s just I realized I kind of assumed and well, tonight, I’m not exactly sure what’s going on. I mean, if anything’s going on, which I’m not saying anything is. I mean, you know. It’s just…” Save me from this ramble.
Will complied to the silent plea. “Hey, calm down. It’s okay. I just didn’t expect the question. I guess I figured you knew.”
“Then, you are?” Jack’s mouth felt dry.
“Is this a fact-finding mission, or do you have a particular reason for asking?”
“I don’t know,” Jack mumbled, feeling suddenly much more sober. It was strange, for though he was obviously the senior of the two, he felt like a kid, confused and out of his ken.
Will scooted a little closer and turned toward Jack. “Look, I’m not going to lie to you. I really like you. A lot. But I know how things are. I didn’t invite you out in order to hit on you. I genuinely enjoy your company. You’re different from anyone I’ve ever known. You’re wise and funny. You’re humble even though you have every right to be very proud of the amazing work you do. I don’t know how to explain this, and probably shouldn’t even try, but something about you speaks to something inside me.”