Page 37 of Smoky Mountain Dreams

Christopher snorted.

The shows went well. The audienceseemed to enjoy it, which always makes me happy. But as you know, my biggestfan wasn’t there. But I got the impression earlier today that he definitelywanted more.

Jesse replied:

Your impression was absolutely correct.

Christopher hesitated. Would he sound desperate if he askedwhenexactly Jesse wanted more of what Christopher had onoffer? Jesse texted again first.

Tomorrow’s my MIL’s birthday. I’m notsure what the plan is but there’s no getting out of it.

Christopher’s heart sank despite himself. He had to type outthe next few words three times to get them right since his thumbs still hadn’tgotten the hang of texting yet.

Fun or bummer?

Three dots appeared, which seemed to indicate Jesse wasresponding.

Fun AND bummer because I’d like to seeyou and demonstrate just how much your number one fan appreciates your talents.

Christopher grinned and felt his cheeks heat up. He went forsomething less flirty than he really felt in his reply.

It’s good you like your in-laws.

He stared at the dots, waiting.

Yeah. They’re cool. Pretty lucky inthat at least.

Christopher sensed the unmentioned lack of luck Jesse mustfeel he’d had in his marriage. Dead wives were pretty much the epitome ofshitty luck. Christopher had so many questions about that, but it was way tooearly in whatever this was between them to ask. They barely knew each other.

Jesse texted again.

Monday morning I’m slammed with clientsbut could get together in the afternoon or evening.

Christopher sighed.

Bummer. I’ve got shows that night.

Jesse’s next text took a while to come through, andChristopher’s heart raced.

Tuesday night is Will’s basketballpractice. Wednesday is Brigid’s hip-hop dance class but I might be able to haveAmanda or my MIL take her. Little white girls popping and locking makes my headspin with issues of cultural appropriation anyway.

Was the world conspiring to keep them from having amazingsex again? It was starting to feel that way.

I’ve got two shows Wednesday night, butI’ll be free after. The last one is over at 9 pm just like last week. You couldstay over?

Jesse included several frowning emoticons at the end of hisnext message.

Very tempting but I can’t be awayovernight two weeks in a row for various reasons, and the kids’ bedtime is8:30.

Christopher frowned at his phone. He hadn’t realized kidscould be such cock-blockers. The number of children running around at SmokyMountain Dreams with siblings close in age seemed to imply otherwise at least.Another text from Jesse came through as he thought about how to respond.

How about lunch any day this week? I’dlike to hang out if nothing else.

Hell yes, Christopher would take it.

Tuesday for breakfast instead? I couldmeet you at your office and eat before heading into SMD. I’ll bring food.

He waited, drumming his fingers on the table.