Page 1 of Finally

Chapter 1

Squinting across the dark restaurant, Gray McClellan tried to locate his friends.

“Can I help you?” the hostess asked.

“I'm meeting some people. The reservation is probably under Kevin Rodley.”

“Kevin Rodley,” she said to herself as she picked up her iPad. “Let’s see...”

“Never mind.” He nudged his chin in the direction of a table. “I see them. Thanks.”

He walked over to the four-top where three of his friends were already seated and tugged the empty chair away from the table.

“Hey,” he said as he sat down.

“You’re late.”

“Am I?” He looked at his watch. “Huh, looks like you’re right.”

“That’s it?” his friend Kevin asked incredulously.

“What?” He darted his gaze around the table, looking for a menu.

“We said we’d be meeting at seven. It’s nine.”

Shrugging, Gray said, “I had to shower.”

“Cleaning yourself doesn’t take two hours and it isn’t an unexpected event, Grayson McClellan, schedule it.”

“He used your full name,” Eric mock whispered. “You’re in troubllllle.”

“Funny.” He noticed a few plates on the table. “Did you guys already order?”

“You’re two hours late! Yes, we ordered. And we ate. And we paid the bill,” Kevin huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t know why you bothered to show up.”

“Because I told you I would.” He’d skip the meal and get a drink. He’d had a big lunch anyway.

“How very reliable of you.”

“Thank you.”

“I was being sarcastic! You’re an IP lawyer. What exactly happened at your desk job that required a two-hour shower?”

“Two-hour shower?” Gray asked as he looked around the restaurant for a waiter.

“At the risk of being repetitive, you’re two hours late.”

“The shower took about ten minutes. The fucking leading up to the shower was how I spent the lion’s share of the time.”

“You’re dating someone?” Eric said, looking hopeful. “Why didn’t you bring him?”

“God no.” Gray shuddered. “Some guy chatted me up on Grindr and his profile pic was too good to pass up.”

“What was his pic?” Eric asked.

“Big ass in a small jock.”

Laughing, Kevin said, “Still a slut.”