Page 48 of Quinton's Quest

Two weeks. You were with him carnally two weeks ago.

You want that again.

Like, right now.

I adjusted myself. Well, that wasn’t going to happen. I rose from the table, grabbed a plastic container, and put the second half of the sub in there. For lunch tomorrow. Or dinner tomorrow night, if I forgot to grab it on the way out—which I often forgot to do.

My phone buzzed.

Cautiously, I read.

—Sounds perfect. I’m working the night shift and so totally can see you three. What time? —

I couldn’t figure out how to answer that.You initiated this. Pull up your big boy pants and give him a response.

—Two? Then stay for dinner? —

He responded immediately.

—I’ll bring home-baked cookies. —

I stood there, watching the screen go dark. Then I continued to stare.I should probably let Gideon know. That’s the adult thing to do. After all, I’d want to know.So I sent a text.

—Remember Quinton? He’s coming to see me Saturday. While the kids are here. He’s bringing cookies. I hope that’s okay. —

I shouldn’t have needed to ask his permission. But the men had obviously formed some kind of friendship. Plus, Gideon and Archer needed to know I knew Quinton. To ensure their discretion.

Or at least I hoped.

My phone rang.Well okay, then.“Hey, Gideon.”

“I didn’t realize you knew Quinton.” No hint of how he was feeling. A long time ago, I would’ve known. Today? Complete mystery to me.

“Long story. We work together at the hospital. He mentioned you attended his party.”

A pause. Then, “Did he know who we were on Saturday?”

“Is there a right way to answer that?”

He blew out a breath. “I would’ve been…more cautious.”

“You can be yourself, Gideon. You don’t need to censor yourself on my account. I mean, unless you’re telling everyone what a jackass I am.”Please don’t be doing that.

“Jesus, Leo. I thought you knew me better than that.”

Shame heated my cheeks. Of course I knew him better than that. He’d been honest with Archer—but truly just in the privacy of their home. And, l could be certain he’d been honest with his therapist. “I do. Just…we went through a rough time. I should’ve been more compassionate—”

“Water under the bridge. Or whatever that expression is. Your stance led me to find a way to live with the chronic pain. Allowed me the courage to…Archer…”

Clearly, he was floundering.

“To fall in love again.”

A long silence.

“Yeah, that.”

“I’m happy for you, Gideon.”