Page 30 of Just Business

“Oh yes. Rather nicely, too.”

Goose bumps rose all over when Sam glanced Justin’s way. But if Sam understood the double meaning in Eli’s words, he showed no sign. “Let’s go.”

Justin matched his pace with Eli’s when the others surged ahead. Eli’s leg must not have been bothering him much, but he would never match Sam’s frenetic pace, and to leave Eli alone seemed... rude.

Sam, of all of them, should have known that. Justin shoved his hands into his jacket and grunted.

“It’s fine. He’s too full of energy today,” Eli said. “Better he burn it off a bit.”

He glanced at Eli. Sam’s back was getting progressively farther away. “We don’t even know where he’s going.”

“Doesn’t matter. He’ll realize what’s he’s done and either come back or wait for us.” Amusement in Eli. Obviously, this wasn’t the first time Sam had left him in the dust. “Might think he’s used to keeping up with Michael—that man has legs a mile long—but it’s who Sam is. Always moving forward.”

Mr. Margarita. “Michael’s taller than you?”

“By two inches.” Eli’s expression turned distant. “And broad all over.” He shook his head. “I’m all length.”

Everywhere?Justin’s face warmed. “Bulk isn’t everything.”

There was that stunning grin. “Indeed.”

He picked up Eli’s good mood, but sobered after a half a block. “I’m sorry about this week.”

“Which part?”

Not yesterday. God, he’d replay that in a heartbeat. “The beginning. I was—I don’t know what I was.”

“Yes, you do.” Eli spoke without malice. “Or you wouldn’t be apologizing for it.”

He couldn’t argue with that. He’d been a brat. “You weren’t exactly Mr. Sunshine, either.”

“No, but when am I ever?”

Justin coughed a laugh, but the answer was right next to him. Today. Eli was bright as the sun and full of cheer.

They made it to Forbes Avenue, but none of their coworkers were in sight. “Eli, I—”Like you. Want you. Need you.Nothing seemed the right thing to say. “Can we manage friends?”

Eli placed both hands on top of his cane. “We’re already there.” No smile. No frown, either, just light and warmth. Justin wanted to cross the space between them and kiss Eli. Hard. Now. He shifted his weight.

Eli stepped forward.

A shrill whistle, the type one might use to call a dog, startled them both. “Eli!”

Eli hissed and whipped around and the mood shattered.

Sam waved from outside of Uncle Sam’s Sandwich Bar. Good God, but that man excelled at inopportune timing. Or the right timing. Last thing Justin needed was arelationship. Especially one with the CFO where he worked and not when he needed every cent that job brought in. “Guess we should go.”

Eli stared at Sam. “I suppose we should.” Eli set the pace once more, but tension reigned in him.

They entered the crowded shop. Sam stood near the door. “We snagged a table near the back.”

“Good.” Eli focused all of his attention on Sam. “Don’t you ever whistle for me like that again, Sam.” Though friendly in tone, the force behind that order—and it was nothing less than that—rattled Justin.

Sam, too. He took a half step back, a flush rising on his neck. “I—” Sam straightened. “My apologies, E. Won’t happen again.”

“That’s all I ask. Let Justin and me order, and we’ll join you.”

Sam nodded, handed Eli a twenty, and headed toward the back. The hairs on Justin’s neck stood up. Had Eli just ordered Sam around?