Page 90 of King of Pain

A few clicks of a keyboard come through the receiver before she replies, “Yes, I have you down for a party of two. I see you’ll be dining with us for a special occasion?”

I hesitate for just a second before answering.“Yeah, uh… a birthday.”

“Wonderful. Would you like us to include a complimentary dessert for the birthday guest?”

I smile to myself, picturing Chance’s reaction. “Yeah, that’d be great. Thank you.”

“Perfect. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Mr. Pacini. Have a great evening.”

I hang up the phone, a smile on my lips.

Reservation confirmed.

I still can’t believe I pulled it off. I got lucky when I snuck away for a few minutes while we were in California to make the reservation. They had one table left, and I snatched it up without hesitation. If Chance thought he was going to get away with not telling anyone it was his birthday, he had another thing coming.

He has no idea what I have planned for the whole day.

I cleared it with Frank and Kathy as soon as we got back from California, making sure we were both off tomorrow so hewouldn't even have the excuse of work. A whole day set aside just for him. Forus. And maybe… tomorrow night will bethenight.

My stomach flutters at the thought, but I push it down. No overthinking. Not anymore.

The last few days since we got back from California have been surprisingly normal. Easy. We picked up Little G from Lexi’s, and the little cutie practically launched himself at us, tail wagging at top speed. Lexi filled us in on all the fun she had with him.

Then she turned her focus onme.

“So, how was the trip?” she asked, her eyes flicking between Chance and me as we sat on her couch, Little G happily wedged between us.

I was all too eager to launch into how much fun we had: the beach, the boardwalk, the ridiculous convertible, theclub. I left some details out, of course.

As I spoke, I noticed the way her gaze kept darting to where my hand was casually resting on Chance’s bicep. Or how, at some point, my fingers had started absentmindedly tracing little patterns against his back.

Lexi’s lips curled into a devious smirk. “I think that’s the most I’ve heard you say since I met you, Anthony. But there’ssomuch you’re not saying.”

Then, without missing a beat, she pointed at Chance. “You. You and I are going to lunch.Soon. And you’re giving me all the details.”

This time, it was Chance who blushed.

And, incredibly, I didn’t even flinch.

I wasn’t embarrassed. I wasn’t uncomfortable. If anything, I wasokaywith her knowing—reallyknowing. That was a first for me.

I hear the apartment door open, snapping me out of my thoughts. Chance steps in, carrying two brown to-go bags, the smell of spices and coconut milk wafting through the air.

I raise a brow. “What’s in the bags?”

“Swung by that Thai place on the way home,” he says, kicking the door shut with his foot. “Got Tom Kha Gai soup, potstickers, and Panang Curry Chicken.”

My stomach growls loudly enough for Chance to hear and he grins.

“Thought we could do an ‘80s movie night,” he says.

“Deal,” I reply, already moving to help him set up at the coffee table. “But you’re finally going to watchVision Quest.”

Chance groans, flopping onto the couch. “Still can’t believe you think that’s some forgotten ‘80s gem.”

“Itis,” I argue. “It’s criminally left out when people talk about classic ‘80s films. You’re watching it.”

Chance smirks but doesn’t fight me on it.