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Chapter Ten

“What?” Jamie strode across the room. “You’re pale. Are you okay? It’s hot in here. Turn on a fan or two.” He flipped the wall switch. “Sit down.”

“I’m fine. I wasn’t pale until you showed up.” He massaged his forehead, then tossed the phone onto the now empty table. “At least this time you didn’t walk right in unannounced. This is my house and I’d like to know who is visiting rather than being surprised.”

“Your house?” Jamie’s brows rose. “Really? Are you planning on staying?”

“For now, yes.” He willed his heart rate to slow to a normal level. “You need something from me? Or are you here for a social reason?”

“Oh, I need something. You.” Jamie flattened his hand on Tristan’s chest. “I’m thrilled you’re sticking around.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I’ll need your help, I’m sure. My other lawyer is in New York and I have a hard time getting in touch with him.”

“Whenever you want me, just call.” Jamie pinned Tristan to the doorframe leading to the dining room. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”

“We need to talk.” He nudged Jamie away and put space between them. “Right now.”

“After this.” Jamie caged him in again, but this time he kissed Tristan.

The rush wasn’t there. No tingle or spark. Nothing. Tristan stared at Jamie, then put his hands up. “Stop. I’m seeing someone.”

“Someone?” Jamie rolled his eyes. “If you’ve got a guy back home, he doesn’t need to know what we’re doing. This is just fun while you’re away.”

“I’m seeing Michael.” Saying the words out loud comforted him. He wanted to shout from the roof that he and Michael were a pair.

“Are you kidding?” Jamie snapped. “Michael?”

“I’m quite serious. Why? What’s wrong with Michael?”

“There’s nothing wrong with him—if you like boredom,” Jamie said.

“Jamie.” Some people could be cruel.

“Come on. He’s alibrarian. How exciting can that possibly be?”

“Because law is so exiting?” Tristan asked. “So what?”

“You don’t see movies about librarians—not on mainstream television or in theaters—and you sure as hell don’t see them in anything that makes them look sexy.” Jamie folded his arms. “They’re the ones who die in the horror films or suck everyone off in the porn movies.”

“I’m not arguing this with you.”Jesus.Whatever Michael had done to Jamie couldn’t be so horrible as to warrant this kind of venom.

“Well, I am. I’m better-looking, make more money by far and have a higher standing in the community. I have the connections to get your center created. I’ve looked at the suitable buildings in town and the best you’re going to get is the abandoned community center. It’ll need work, but it’s got the facilities you need.”

Okay, so Jamie had a point about the building. Still, he didn’t have to be such a dick—a hot one, but still a dick—about Michael.

“What do you say? You’ll forget Michael and let me help you?” Jamie tipped her head and smiled.

Tristan sighed. He hated being pushed into a corner and Jamie knew where to put his hands to shove the hardest. “I’ll helm the project because I know what my uncle wanted.”Liar.“I’ll need your help down the road, but for this to work, we need to work together as a community. Everyone. It won’t happen if we’re fighting each other over God knows what.”

“Sure.” Jamie hugged Tristan and lingered too long for Tristan’s comfort. “You won’t regret it,” Jamie said. “Promise.”

“Uh-huh.” He had too fucking much on his plate and didn’t need a diva lawyer added into the mix.

“What do we do?” Jamie clapped his hands. “I’m ready.”

“I’m putting you on the community center detail. Prices, permits—whatever information I need…you get it. Don’t draw up any paperwork. Just give me the details. You’re the man with the contacts, right? Then do that. In the meantime, I’ll keep sorting out the house. Maybe there are a few things here we can sell to help fund the project.”

“The house, for one.”