Page 135 of Something Like Hail

“After you, double ohfive.”

“Double ohfive?”

“As in fiveinches.”

Harold glared. “Hey! It’s bigger thanthat!”

“Really? Because my unclewas an old-school carpenter and he taught me how to measure with myhands.”

Harold’s shoulders slumped. “It’s a littlebigger than five. Emphasis on the little.”

Noah grinned. “Don’t worry. I like you justthe way you are.”

“Do you?”

“Yeah. Now go first. I wantsomeone to fall on if I slip. You owe me that much.”

“Deal!”

Getting down was much easier than gettingup. Marcello’s security measures seemed to end with the wall. Nobarking hounds appeared to snap at their heels, nor did an army ofguards pour from the building. They were able to walk around thehouse without interruption and arrive on the back patio. The sameone where Noah had pleaded with Tim to visit Ryan, except thistime, daylight instead of LEDs illuminated the pool. Noah hadn’tnoticed the hot tub that night, but his attention was drawn awayfrom it to a deck chair and the man reclining in it.

Marcello wore the skimpiest of swimsuits,his entire body glistening with oil, large belly catching the sun.He held some sort of tropical drink in one hand and his phone inthe other. His head turned as they approached, an eyebrow risingabove the dark sunglasses.

“An impressivedemonstration of acrobatic skills, but next time, save yourself thetrouble and use the buzzer.”

Noah shot an I-told-you-so expression atHarold before returning his attention to his boss. “Sorry forinterrupting your weekend, but I really need to talk to you.”

“That seems to be a runningtheme,” Marcello said, pausing to sip from his drink. Then he heldit out. “While you’re here, you might as well make yourself useful.You’ll find a blender on the kitchen counter with more. Oh, and Ifeel uncomfortable being so exposed. Do something aboutit.”

“Should I bring you arobe?” Noah asked.

“You should return withless on. Both of you. Seems only fair. Off you go!”

Noah exchanged a glance with Harold. Thenthey went into the house together. Noah focused on finding theblender and pouring another drink. Harold was already undressingwhile fighting down a smile.

“Looks like you’ll have tosee me naked anyway. Don’t worry, I’m only kidding. I can staybehind you at all times. Sure it’ll be awkward, but I don’t want myhotness to haunt you at night.”

Harold wasn’t vain enough to be serious, buthe might not be wrong.

“Fine,” Noah said, settingdown the blender and walking over to face him. “Let’s see whatyou’ve got.”

“This brings backmemories,” Harold said, unfastening the last button of his shirt.“Remember the first day at my house?”

“Nope,” Noah said, crossinghis arms over his chest. “Ancient history. Is that all you’vegot?”

Harold was shaking the shirt off hisshoulders, and yeah, it was a beautiful sight. His body was meatierthan before, the muscles more trained, but as always it was hisface that caught Noah’s attention, a hint of insecurity and maybedisappointment appearing as he started working on his jeans.

“You’re gorgeous,” Noahsaid with a sigh. “That was never the problem.”

“I know,” Harold said.“About the real problem, I mean. It was my fault and no amount ofbench presses can change that or make up for what I did. I justlike to tease you.”

“I remember,” Noah saidsoftly. “I always liked joking around with you. I stilldo.”

Harold’s hands were on the front of hisjeans, but they were no longer moving. Instead he nodded to thekitchen counter. “Better get undressed and grab that drink.Marcello is feeling ornerier than usual.”

“Ornerier or hornier?” Noahsaid, but the joke did nothing to dispel the tension between them.He felt a tug of sorrow as he stripped down to his underwear,glancing over to see that Harold had done the same, but lustfulthoughts were far from his mind. Instead he made himself think ofFelix, some of the joy returning to the day. Then, together, theyreturned outside.

“Wonderful!” Marcello said,clapping a few times. “Now that’s what I call a memorablepresentation. You know, in all the years I’ve been using shirtlesswaiters, I never thought to have them go pantless as well. What doyou think the reaction would be?”