Page 156 of Something Like Hail

Was. Past tense, although this hadn’t comeas a surprise to either of them. Harold and Ruben had continueddating, knowing that it would end when one of them moved away.

“So that’s it?” Noah said.“Ruben is in Phoenix now?”

Harold’s chest rose. Then it fell again.“Yup.”

“How are youdoing?”

“Okay. I guess.”

Noah studied him, recognizing that he washandsome, personable, and still had a touch of sweetness of hisown. “Did you love him?”

Harold looked away. Then he smiled, hisbrown eyes moving back to lock onto his. “Not as much as I’ve lovedsome people.”

Noah’s mouth went dry. He turned toward hisdesk, heart thudding in his chest as he sought a distraction. “Thenew system is working well,” he said. “Chester has somehow managedto create four separate accounts for himself, but besides that,everyone seems to be adjusting well to The Menu.”

Noah’s idea for a database had developedinto much more. Now it was a system that their clients could signinto. One of the most popular features was a list of services thatwent beyond the usual dinner date scheme. Now clients could choosea companion for lunch, shopping, or travel. Clients could alsorequest various forms of training, including the services of afitness coach or a primer on relationships. They even had a fewspecialists, like a mechanic who could actually do repairs. Whileshirtless, of course, and far oilier than necessary, but real autowork regardless. Marcello had always accommodated unusual requests,but Noah had discovered that most clients didn’t realize how manyoptions were available to them, or weren’t comfortable asking foranything out of the ordinary. With the new system—nicknamed TheMenu—all they had to do was click a button. The clients were happy,but…

“How are the guysadjusting?”

“They love it!” Haroldsaid. “You and I weren’t the only ones getting sick of eating outevery night. The variety is nice. I’ve got an afternoon appointmentwith George today. Wants me to take him shopping for some stylishduds. I guess there’s a new foreman on one of his constructionsites that he’s hoping to impress.”

“Let’s hope the foremanlikes pineapple juice,” Noah said. Then he snapped his fingers.“Hey! Try signing him up for our dating course!”

“Will do,” Harold said. “Ihad an idea of my own. Just hear me out, because I know this soundsstupid, but what about pet-sitting? The Colemans have that yappydog who hates everyone but me.”

“The biter,” Noah said,rubbing his ankle while grimacing.

“Yeah. I’ve heard he can bea real nightmare, but for whatever reason, he’s butter in myhands.”

“Like most guysare.”

Harold grinned. “Thanks! But what if weoffer pet-sitting services too? We’ll take selfies with their dogswhen people are out of town. We can make those sexy or cute andsend them with texts to update the owners.”

“Sexy dog photos?” Noahasked. “That’s pushing the limits of good taste, don’t youthink?”

“Shut up,” Harold said witha chuckle. “I just mean that I’ll be shirtless and snuggling upwith their dog. Nothing more than that. Or maybe we could take someof the more energetic dogs out jogging and capturevideo.”

“I bet people would be intothat,” Noah said, grabbing a pen to scribble some notes. “Really,most services are improved by having a cute guy do them. Marcellohad it right with the shirtless waiters.”

“Yeah, except we’ll offershirtlesseverything. Plumbing, housekeeping, cable installation…”

“Lawn mowing,” Noahsuggested.

“Taxes,” Harold said,lifting his arms to flex. “These twin beauties will take care ofyour ten forties!”

“That’s good! You might beon to something. We’ll be the ultimate problem solvers. Call theGAC no matter your needs and we’ll send a hot guy over to help youout.”

Harold nodded musingly. “If anyone can makeit work, you can.”

“I’m not doing this withoutyou,” Noah said, jotting down more notes. When there wasn’t aresponse, he looked over to see a familiar longing on Harold’sface. The last time he had seen it was outside Bottoms 1UP, anevening that neither of them had spoken of since.

“I’ll always be here,”Harold said hoarsely. “If you need me.”

“Thanks,” Noah replied,grasping for a subject they could switch to.

“I really like Felix,”Harold continued. “But if it doesn’t work out—”

Noah didn’t let him get any further thanthat. “I really like Felix too,” he said pointedly.

Harold nodded his understanding. “Sorry.It’s just been a rougher day than I was expecting. I guess I’mstill raw.”

“Who could blame you?” Noahsaid. His pulse was racing. He didn’t think it would stop unless hespoke his mind too. “No matter what happens, I’ll always need youin my life.”

“One way or another?”Harold asked.

Noah swallowed and nodded. “One way oranother.”

That was all the promise he could give. Fornow he was too content with where things stood. He had the sweetestboyfriend imaginable in Felix, a guiding light in Marcello, amixture of family and friends in people like Chester and Edith, andwhen it came to Harold… He supposed “partners” summed it up best.Partners in business now, and for one unforgettable night over ayear ago, partners in love. There was no telling what else theymight be to each other eventually, for if Noah had learned onething, it’s that life always chose the most surprising path andchallenged him at every turn, but not without reward. As theysettled down to turn their dreams into reality—Harold a reassuringpresence at his side—Noah marveled at how far he had come, a beggarnow spoiled by riches of the heart.

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