Page 68 of Devil's Hour
Wow. Somebody had really done a number on this guy. It would probably be best if Royce bought their lunch from someone less hostile. “I told you what I wanted.”
“I’m not mad or jealous he chose you, but it was a total dick move for you to roll out of his bed, then come here and brag about it.”
“I didn’t roll out of his bed and come straight here, Levi. We hadn’t…” He let his words fade away because he didn’t want to lie. They’d shared an orgasm in Sawyer’s home gym but hadn’t technically slept together yet. “I had just wanted to check out the guy who was going to take Sawyer from me.”
Levi snorted. “As if. How is Sawyer doing?”
“Text him and find out,” Royce replied.
The bell over the door jingled. Levi glanced over distractedly, then did a double take. His fair cheeks turned an adorable shade of pink that made his eyes look bluer. Royce understood why Sawyer had asked him out. More than a little curious, Royce turned to see who was responsible for the blush and nearly groaned when his gaze landed on Diego Fuentes, who looked impressive in his street clothes. How many sizes too small was that shirt though?
Diego looked surprised at first, but then his expression morphed into irritation. His gaze flitted to Levi’s before returning to his. Did he misread the private chat? Royce waved and offered what he hoped was a friendly smile.
“You know him?” Levi whispered.
Royce moved closer to the counter and lowered his voice. “Yeah, his name is Diego Fuentes. Does he come here often?”
“Not often enough if you ask me,” Levi said breathlessly. “Is he single?”
Royce raised a brow. “As far as I know. Want me to find out?” As far as atonement went, it was painless.
Levi’s face turned a darker shade of pink. “If you think he’s interested.”
Royce glanced over his shoulder and took in Diego’s thunderous expression. He was either pissed because he thought Royce was hitting on Levi and wanted the café owner for himself, or he was outraged on Sawyer’s behalf. Royce winked and said, “There’s only one way to find out. I’ll go talk to him.”
“No. It will be too obvious,” Levi whispered.
“It won’t if you put together two chicken salad sandwich platters and make a large salted caramel coffee.”
Levi narrowed his eyes suspiciously but nodded after a few seconds. Royce turned from the counter and approached Diego. “Do you have a cat?”
Diego squinted. “Huh?”
“I asked if you have a cat,” Royce said slowly.
“No.”
Royce nodded. “Do you plan to get a cat?”
Diego’s gaze kept flittering back to Levi. “Um, not that I’m aware of. I’m more of a dog person.”
“Oh, okay.” Fuck. Was Levi also allergic to dogs too? “Um, stay here a second.” Royce started to walk back to the counter to find out, but Diego reached out and stopped him.
“What’s going on? First, I catch you flirting with the cute café owner, and now you’re chatting me up. Did Sawyer get sick of you already?”
Royce remembered the way Sawyer cried out his name when Royce filled him that morning. “Definitely not.”
“So, what’s going on, then?”
“Levi thinks you’re hot, but he’s shy.” Recalling the way Levi had written his phone number on Sawyer’s coffee cup with a message to call him, Royce almost snorted. Maybe gun shy was the better adjective. “He’s also very allergic to cats. I told him I’d introduce the two of you, but I wasn’t going to do that if you have a cat.”
“I don’t,” Diego said, looking over Royce’s shoulder. “You’re not dicking me around, right?”
“Not at all.” Royce wanted Diego sexed-up, happy, andawayfrom Sawyer. “Come with me.” Diego nodded and followed him to the counter where Royce made introductions. Levi blushed profusely, which seemed to charm the hell out of Diego.
“Two chicken salad platters and a large salted caramel coffee,” Levi said, handing a to-go bag and a cup of coffee to Royce with an expression that told him to take his order and get the hell out. All wasn’t forgiven yet.
“Thanks,” Royce said, dropping more than enough cash on the counter to cover the bill and tip. He’d taken a few steps when he thought of something. “One quick question. You were so instrumental in helping us solve The Putz’s murder a few months ago, and I was wondering if you could help again.”