Page 104 of A Real Good Lie

“If you don’t drink yourself to death before then,” he said.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Callahan said his goodbyes, then headed in the direction where Remington had come from. He knew where Jace worked, because Sebastian had told him about it, but he’d never come by to see Jace. Even after all the nights Jace had slipped out of his bed before the sunrise, Callahan had never thought to offer him a ride, or to come by on his own way to work.

He worried he’d been dismissive and careless, and those worries carried him into the shop where he found Jace behind the counter, a croissant in one hand, an espresso cup in the other. He was talking to someone and laughing, his eyes bright and alive. Callahan’s breath caught in his throat and he thought again how fucking much he loved this man, and how patient he’d be to hear that sentiment returned.

Jace handed the pastry and cup to a patron, and then his eyes landed on Callahan. His entire expression faltered, skittering, but not falling entirely. It looked as though it took all of Jace’s willpower to hold it in place.

“What are you doing here?” Jace asked.

Callahan looked around nervously, stepping closer to the counter. He shoved his hands into his pockets to hide the way they shook.

“I know you’re off work soon and I wanted to do something nice for you.”

“What’s that?”

“I thought we could go shopping. Get new outfits for Friday.”

Jace frowned, a wrinkle appearing between his eyebrows. “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“I can’t afford it.” Jace looked down. “I was going to wear the suit from last month and just borrow a bow tie or something from Remington.”

“Let it be my treat,” Callahan offered.

“I don’t…” Jace gritted his teeth. “I don’t need a handout.”

“What?” Callahan’s volume rose, and he looked around, rubbing the back of his neck. He stepped closer and lowered his voice to a whisper. “It’s not a handout. I want to do something nice for you. Because you’re my boyfriend. Because I love you.”

Jace’s head snapped up at that, his eyes scanning over Callahan’s face. He worked his jaw, but Callahan could see the wheels in his head turning as he processed what Callahan had just told him.

“Nothing expensive,” Jace muttered.

“By whose definition?”

“Mine.”

“No promises.” Callahan offered a small smile. “It’s nothing. Come on.”

“It’s not nothing.”

“Then it’s a token of my affection for you,” he tried. “Something to demonstrate my feelings for you, for how excited I am for your big event.”

“Fine.”

“Can I get a coffee and muffin while I wait?” Callahan asked, feeling proud of his success. “We can go when you’re off work. Unless you had other plans.”

“I don’t have other plans,” Jace said.

“So, yes?”

“Yes, Callahan.”

Chapter Thirty

Jace Allows Himself to Dream