Page 44 of The Last One to Let You Down

“What? Oh, no. They were fine. Wished me good luck with tonight, as a matter of fact.” Cypress sat down across from him, digging into the takeout bag. “I had to guess on what to order you. Filet mignon okay?”

“Wow, yeah, it’s perfect.” Tom paused. “What were you going to do if the door wasn’t propped open?”

“I would have waited for you to check your phone,” Cypress replied. “Only one of us is an aspiring criminal, you know.”

“Oh, ha ha.” Tom fished his phone out of his pocket, confirming he did have a text message from Cypress asking him to meet him out in the garage with a smiley face.

“This kinda thing happen often?” Cypress passed a plastic takeout container to Tom. “Having to work late at the last minute?”

“More than I’d like,” Tom admitted, ready to drool when he opened it. Inside was a perfectly cooked filet, roasted asparagus, and mashed potatoes. “Holy shit, this looks amazing.”

“Eat up while it’s still warm,” Cypress urged, grabbing a container for himself. “Meat should be tender enough to cut, even with crappy plastic silverware.”

“Thank you. Seriously. This is awesome.”

“Get used to it.” Cypress opened the wine, pouring them both a plastic cup full. “I enjoy spoiling my partners.”

“Partner?” Tom quirked a brow as he took his cup, sipping slowly.

“Partner, lover, boyfriend.” Cypress shrugged. “Whatever you’d prefer. I don’t really mind.”

“Is it safe to say we’re dating, then?”

“It’s safe to say I’m considering it.” Cypress smirked. “I don’t have any interest in seeing anyone else except you, Tom. That is one thing I need to be up front about. For me, it’s monogamy or nothing.”

“Me, too. I was never really good with sharing. I know it totally works for some people, but not me.” Tom popped the silverware out of the little packet, quickly starting to saw into his filet.

“Easy now,” Cypress laughed. “Do you cut dead people like that? Hang on.”

“What?” Tom blinked as Cypress got up, coming around and plucking the knife and fork out of his hands.

Cypress began to cut the filet into small, orderly pieces.

Tom didn’t know why but having Cypress cutting his meat for him was making him blush. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Cypress said, brushing his fingers over Tom’s shoulder before sitting back down. “Now, we need to talk about sex.”

Tom almost choked. “Right now?”

“If you want to wait, we can.”

“Please. Sorry. I don’t want someone to come in and hear me talking about weird sex stuff.”

“Completely understand.” Cypress took a drink of his wine. “Probably better to discuss it at your place.”

“My place?”

“Where else are we gonna have our dessert?” Cypress winked. “Unless you’d like to have it right here.”

“No, no, my place is good. So good.” Tom fidgeted, hating how the thrill of messing around in the garage tempted him. “And, uh, how far are we planning to go exactly?”

“That all depends on you,” Cypress replied with a lazy roll of his shoulders, leaning over the table. “How far are you willing to go to make sure I keep your little secret? What would you be willing to do?”

Tom shuddered, savoring the answer before he breathed it out loud, “Anything.”

“Mmm, well.” Cypress smiled wickedly. “I suppose we’ll soon find out, won’t we?”

“Yes.”